Description
Luke 13:1-9
Jesus explained that some die tragically and some survive miraculously, but neither is an accurate measure of one’s righteousness. Everyone needs to repent- to adapt to the mindset of Christ and go His way instead of following our sinful nature. In this way, we can bear the fruit God intended for us to bear instead of taking up space without producing the good things God has in store for us and for others.
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
Lord I Need You
Christy Nockels, Daniel Carson, Jesse Reeves, Kristian Stanfill, & Matt Maher, ©2011 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sweater Weather Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear)
Graham Kendrick, ©1993 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services).
In Christ Alone
Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, ©2001 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
ELW 767; LBW 333; LSB 722; LW 512
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
BH75 163; BH91 342; CH 342; CHH 214; EH 685; ELW 623; HWC 204; HFG 108; HLC 149; HGP 336; HSP 9; LBW 327; LSB 761; LW 361; NCH 596; RH 277; STTL 445; WC 227; UMH 361; WAR 384; WHM 507; WIS 47
Glorious Things of Thee/You Are Spoken
BH 91 398; CH 400; CHH 709; EH 522, 523; ELW 647; HWC 278; HFG 376; HLC 209; HGP 165; LBW 358; LSB 648; LW 294; NCH 307; PH 446; RH 339; STTL 670; WC 694; UMH 731; WAR 598; WHM 35; WIS 308
Invocation
Pastor Come all who are thirsty.
ALL It is the Lord who quenches our thirsty souls.
Pastor He quenches our thirst with His love. Come!
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Lord, your covenant lasts forever. You are faithful, God! We will not have hardened
hearts before you. We will be changed by You, molded into You likeness, and shaped
by Your Holy Spirit. We look to you, forgiver of our souls, for true freedom, life, and love.
ALL In Jesus’ name, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor The Scriptures tell us that unless we repent, we will perish. But when we repent, turning
from sin to God, we enter eternal life through the Son Jesus Christ. We were not
designed to navigate these waters on our own. The Spirit draws us to repentance as He
is filled with kindness. So, ready your hearts now. Rid yourselves of sin, and choose the
righteous path. Allow the Lord to quench your thirsty souls.
(Allow for quiet time of confession, prayer, and reflection)
Pastor Lord, you are faithful to forgive us. We are so thankful that You are the God we serve,
and who loves us to our core.
ALL We love you, Lord, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Ezekiel 33:7-20
The prophet Ezekiel was a watchman for the people of Israel. His job was to hear the Lord and speak warnings to them about turning from sin to God’s holy standards.
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. 10 “Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’ 12 “Therefore, son of man, say to your people, ‘If someone who is righteous disobeys, that person’s former righteousness will count for nothing. And if someone who is wicked repents, that person’s former wickedness will not bring condemnation. The righteous person who sins will not be allowed to live even though they were formerly righteous.’ 13 If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done. 14 And if I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ but they then turn away from their sin and do what is just and right— 15 if they give back what they took in pledge for a loan, return what they have stolen, follow the decrees that give life, and do no evil—that person will surely live; they will not die.16 None of the sins that person has committed will be remembered against them. They have done what is just and right; they will surely live. 17 “Yet your people say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But it is their way that is not just. 18 If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, they will die for it. 19 And if a wicked person turns away from their wickedness and does what is just and right, they will live by doing so. 20 Yet you Israelites say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ But I will judge each of you according to your own ways.”
