Description
Mark 10:23-31
Wealth can be an obstacle to inheriting the Kingdom of God when it becomes your god. Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through an eye of a needle that it was a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God. Not allowing wealth to rule your life by giving generously to advance God’s Kingdom allows one to serve and honor the Lord. Also, living as a servant, free from the attachment of earthly wealth enables the Holy Spirit to move freely in your life to impact others for Jesus.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
The Only Name (Yours Will Be)
Benji Cowart, © 2011 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HowieCowie Publishing (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)
The Way
Ben Smith | Daniel Bashta | Pat Barrett, © Heritage Worship Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Housefires Sounds (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Go Forth Sounds (Admin. by Heritage Worship Publishing) Bread & Wine Sounds (Admin. by Watershed Music Group)
O Praise the Name (Anastasis)
Benjamin Hastings | Dean Ussher | Marty Sampson, © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
How Firm A Foundation
BH 75 383;BH 91 338; CH 408; CHH 618; EH 636,637; ELW 796; HWC 275; HPW 38; HFG 32; HLC 224; HGP 162; HSP 121; LWB 507; LSB 728; LW 411; NCH 407; PH 361; RH 221; STTL 689; WC 612; UMH 529; WAR 411; WHM 342; WIS 1
All Depends on Our Possessing
ELW 589; LBW 447; LSB 732; LW 415
We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight
BH75 357; EH 209; ELW 635; LSB 720; NCH 256; PH 399; TFWS 2196; WOV 675
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Praise be to the Lord!
Worshipers
The Lord God Almighty! He teaches us His way, and we rejoice in His decrees.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We open our hearts to You, Lord. With our lips we sing praises to Your name.
Worshipers
You deserve all glory and honor and praise!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, You are Great and yet you became like us, lowly and human. Even though You are God, You served people everywhere. Even though You could have called on the angels to rescue You from death, You chose to die for the human race because You love us and obeyed Your Father. We learn from You the path of purity, of obedience, and of sacrifice. Help us today to understand the importance of living Your way and not our own. In Jesus’ name we pray,
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
We have strayed from Your decrees.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In every way, we are tempted by sin.
Worshipers
We need You more than ever.
Pastor / Worship Leader
How can we stay on a path of purity?
Worshipers
By living according to the Word of God.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, Lord, for our sins. Help us to meditate on Your ways and follow You by Your Holy Spirit’s power.
Worshipers
Hallelujah! By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thank you, Jesus!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
Finding gladness or satisfaction in wealth will only lead to dissatisfaction. Wealth can be a blessing from the Lord if used for Him.
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. 11 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them? 12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep. 13 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners, 14 or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. 15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. 16 This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? 17 All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. 18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. 20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
