Description
John 17:1-11
Jesus prayed for Himself and for His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane asking that God be glorified and for safety from evil. He expressed His heart for the Father’s love to be reflected in the disciples, that they would be united as one. Jesus’ prayer shows His longing for unity and love among His followers, and serves as an example of sacrificial love. This passage can serve as a reminder to us to be self-sacrificing in our love for others, and to strive for unity within our own communities.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome Beloved Family of God to this time of worship. We are so glad you chose to be here with us today. Take a moment and greet a brother or sister near you.
(Allow a few minutes of greeting)
Time of Praise and Worship
Crown Him (Majesty)
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, George Job Elvey, Godfrey Thring, Matt Maher, & Matthew Bridges, © 2013 A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
My Savior Lives
Glenn Packiam & Jon Egan, ©2006 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. By Integrity Music, Inc.)
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)
Matt Redman & Jonas Myrin, ©2011 Thankyou Music, Said And Done Music, sixsteps Music, SHOUT! Publishing (Admin EMI CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Crown Him With Many Crowns
BH 75 52; BH 91 161; CH 45; CHH 234; EH 494; ELW 855; HWC 234; HFG 345; HLC 85; HGP 24; HSP 83; LBW 170; LSB 525; LW 278; NCH 301; PH 151; RH 192; RS 626; STTL 272; WC 92; UMH 327; WAR 317; WHM 51; WIS 162
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
EH 217,218; ELW 393; LBW 157; LSB 493; LW 149; RS 606; WC 259; WAR 322
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus
ELW 802; LSB 685; LBW 487; LW 381
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us now offer to God our humble prayers and devotion.
Worshipers
We bow our heads and posture our hearts humbly before God.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Dear Lord, we come to You today in need of Your grace and mercy. You have given us Your Son, who has shown us the way to live in peace and love. We thank You for the gift of faith and for the assurance of Your everlasting presence in our lives. Help us to trust in You and to seek Your face in all we do.
Worshipers
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us now confess our sins to God and one another to obey the will of the Father, and to release pride, shame, and guilt from our hearts.
Worshipers
Loving God, we come before You with contrite hearts, confessing our sins and failings. We have sinned in what we have done and in what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole hearts. We have loved ourselves or our sin more. Please forgive us. Wash our sins clean and give us a fresh start. With You, it is never too late.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
We are forgiven by Jesus Christ, our Savior. Let us follow Him from this day forward.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name we ask, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 1:6-14
This passage recounts the disciples’ selection of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles. After drawing lots, Matthias is chosen and added to the number of the disciples.
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
