Description
John 14:1-14
In a moment of anxiety about the future, Thomas and Phillip ask Jesus to show them the way to the Father. Jesus answered their worried requests by reminding them of His oneness with God, His granted authority, and His power displayed through miraculous works witnessed by His disciples. When confusion floods our minds and we are plagued with troubled hearts, let us remember that we can ask Jesus for anything according to His perfect will, and He will do it.
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
I’m Listening
Chris McClarney, Benji Cowart, Josh Bronleewe. ©2018 Capitol CMG Genesis, Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Josh Bronleewe Music, Wordspring Music, LLC, HowieCowie Publishing, Word Music, LLC (Admin. by WB Music Corp.)
There’s Nothing Our God can’t Do
Kristian Stanfill, Jonathan Smith, Brandon Lake
2019 Kristian Stanfill Publishing Designee, sixsteps Music, worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Maverick City Publishing, Bethel Music Publishing (Admin by Bethel Music Publishing) Cashagamble Jet Music, Be Essential Songs (Admin by Essential Music Publishing)
Here For You
Jesse Reeves | Matt Maher | Matt Redman | Tim Wanstall, © 2011 worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Said And Done Music | Thankyou Music | Valley Of Songs Music | Chrysalis One Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) |
[Traditional Options]
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
BH 75 58; BH 91 208; CH 648; CHH 517; EH 657; ELW 631; HWC 92; HFG 21; HLC 5; HGP 3; HSP 24; LBW 315; LSB 700; LW 286; NCH 43; PH 376; RH 34; STTL 507; WC 558; UMH 384; WHM 94; WIS 16
Thine Forever, God of Love
LSB 867
Christ the Life of All the Living
CH 90; ELW 339; LBW 97; LSB 420; LW 94
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord is our refuge and fortress. In Him, we can take refuge and never be put to shame.
Worshipers
We rejoice in the Lord’s love. When we are afflicted, the Lord understands the anguish in our souls. In Him, we find refuge. In Him, we find peace.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father God, You quickly come to our rescue when we are in despair. You hear the cries of the deepest parts of our hearts. When we are in distress and experiencing anxiety, we can cast our cares on You and You care for us. Today we sing and rejoice for You are worthy of our trust. We love you, Lord.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
When we become consumed with anxiety, worry, money, fear, pleasure, or ourselves more than we are consumed with Jesus, we have crafted for ourselves an idol to worship. So, how do we give our burdens over to the Lord when we have unanswered prayers? How do we turn to God when our faith is dwindling? How do we cast our cares on the Lord?
Worshipers
We repent of pride, and turn away. We look forward to the only God who can save.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The enemy is a liar, and Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus, we look to you to save us from the weights we carry, the sin that entangles us, and the fear that consumes our minds. Save us, Lord!
Worshipers
We lay down at Your feet the cares that we shoulder, and trust You instead of ourselves. Forgive us, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We are forgiven and can walk in this life with our heads gazing up to our Savior. He bears the load so that we won’t. He lights the way with the Word so that we can see. Let us follow Jesus.
Worshipers
By His grace, we will follow. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60
Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was a man full of grace and power and was the first Christian martyr. Like Jesus, Stephen suffered at the hands of angry people whose hearts were hardened toward God. As Stephen took his final breaths while being stoned, he said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen.
2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.
51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” 54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
