Description
John 17:20-26
In this passage, we see Jesus praying for future believers. He began with declaring His unity with the Father and asked God to unify the Church. Now more than ever, we need to unify as the Body of Christ. All around us, Christianity is being attacked as the enemy wants to stop the spread of the Gospel. But we know the end of this story- Christ wins! Let us not forsake our precious calling; rather, let us stand unified with God and each other as the Bride of Christ.
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
Your Love Awakens Me
Chris Quilala & Phil Wickham, © Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Who You Say I Am
Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan, © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Our God Saves
Brenton Brown and Paul Baloche, ©2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love To Me
BH75 326; BH91 123; HS 98 857; HLC 364; LBW 336; LSB 683; LW 280; PH 366; STTL 499; WC 556
O Holy Spirit, Enter In
ELW 786; LBW 459; LSB 913; LW 160
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
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord provides new mercies every morning. What happened yesterday, a week ago, or even years before can be laid to rest.
Worshipers
His mercies are new every morning.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord is compassionate and gracious. He is our Great Intercessor.
Worshipers
He calls us to unity just as God, Son, and Spirit are one.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Join me in prayer. God in Heaven, we see many examples of unity in Scripture. We ask that You would unify us, Your people, as one together with You. Bring our minds and wills into unity with Yours. Bless this church and raise us together on mission for Your kingdom. We ask this now Jesus.
Worshipers
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord wants to unify us, but the enemy seeks to divide.
Worshipers
Satan kills, steals, and destroys.
Pastor / Worship Leader
As mere carnal beings, we partake in many dividing sins.
Worshipers
We confess of gossip, slander, malice, and strife. We confess of coveting, jealousy, hatred, and pride. Forgive us, Father, and rid us of these things, for we are Your people, and we desperately need Your divine intervention.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us now, Jesus, and teach us Your loving, unified ways.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name, we ask, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 16:16-34
Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison, but they experienced many miracles as the Holy Spirit continued to do an incredible work through their ministry. One night while Paul and Silas sang hymns, a violet earthquake shook the prison doors open. They glorified the Lord and many came to know Christ.
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
