Description
James 3:9-12
The tongue is meant to praise, and yet we often use it to curse. The tongue is meant to speak encouragement, and we so often use it to gossip. Of course, the problem is not the tongue, it’s the heart. And the tongue simply reveals what’s in our hearts. When Jesus redeems us, He releases our tongues to speak love into the world.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Always
Jason Ingram & Kristian Stanfill, ©2010 sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Windsor Hill Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Today Is The Day
Lincoln Brewster & Paul Baloche, ©2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Thrive
Mark Hall & Matthew West, ©Songs For Emily Music Publishing (Admin. by Amplified Administration My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
[Trditional Options]
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
EH 490; ELW 815; LSB 411; RS 651; WC 539; UMH 206; WOV 649; WAR 249
Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW 655; LBW 364; LSB 842; LW 394; NCH 542
O That the Lord Would Guide My Ways
ELW 772; LBW 480; LSB 707; LW 392
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor: In the name of the Father, Who has loved us from eternity;
In the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, whose love for the Father caused Him to be obedient unto death;
In the name of the Holy Spirit, Who empowers us to speak the love of God into our world.
ALL Amen
Opening Prayer
Pastor Almighty God, our hands are lifted before You, our hearts are open to Your love, and our tongues proclaim Your glory. Fill us with the power of Your Spirit, that all our doings may speak of Your wonder. In Jesus we pray.
ALL Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor We profess our faith in God, our desire to live in discipleship, our love for each other, and our service for the world, but our tongues often give us away. For now, our tongues are still.
(a time of silence)
Father, we gather as Your people, acknowledging that our words do not always reflect Your Word.
ALL We confess, Father, that our words are not always kind or true.
We say we are Your people, yet we speak with each other in ways that do not always demonstrate Your love.
We praise You, and curse each other.
We lift our voices in song to You, and then gossip about each other.
We profess that You are Truth, and then lie about so many things.
We are loud when we ought be silent, and then we are silent when we ought speak up.
We are silent before You, awaiting Your Word of peace.
Pastor Hear what God proclaims: In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our sins are removed from us, completely, and we are redeemed. As a called and ordained servant of God, I hereby use my tongue to pronounce the Gospel: Your sins are forgiven, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Our tongues offer up praise to Him.
ALL I am Yours, Father, for You have redeemed me. I proclaim my love for You, and Your love for the world. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-10
The Suffering Servant stands before His accusers, trusting in the presence of God
4 The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. 5 The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. 7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! 9 It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. 10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.
