Description
Mark 10:17-31
Jesus has been teaching the crowds and answering (test) questions from Pharisees. He is now confronted by a man who falls on his knees asking what HE MUST DO to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him and then challenges the man’s response by asking him to give everything away and follow Him. The man rejects the offer. Jesus then teaches his disciples about the rich, about the kingdom of God and about the cost of following Jesus.
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
This is Our God
Brandon Lake | Pat Barrett | Phil Wickham | Steven Furtick; Brandon Lake Music; Capitol CMG Genesis; Housefires Sounds; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs
Who Am I
Mark Hall, ©2003 My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
Trust in God
Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Mitch Wong | Steven Furtick, © Brandon Lake Music; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing; A Wong Made Write Publishing; Integrity’s Praise! Music
[Traditional Options]
God of Grace and God of Glory
BH 75 265; BH 91 395; CH 435; CHH 464; EH 594,595; ELW 705; HWC 292; WFG 528; HLC 466; LBW 415; LSB 850; LW 398; NCH 436; PH 420; STTL 720; WC 669; UMH 577; WAR 569; WHM 332
Salvation Unto Us Has Come
ELW 590; LBW 297; LSB 555; LW 355
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
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The invitation is given to every person by Jesus Christ: “Come to me! Follow me! Be my disciples!”
Worshipers
We come to this place, to this time, at the invitation of Jesus Christ.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In the name of Christ, we accept the invitation to discipleship.
Worshipers
In the name of Christ, as his disciples, we worship and praise God.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In the midst of a world where cruelty abounds, we proclaim the God of Compassion.
Worshipers
In the midst of despair that threatens to swallow up whole lives, whole peoples, we proclaim the God of Hope.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In the midst of indifference and apathy, we proclaim the God of Love.
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
God of infinite patience and wisdom, we come to you with so many things that claim our time, our energy, our resources, our very lives. We are easily drawn away from serving you by the enticements of the world for wealth, ease, and comfort. Just like the young man in the scriptures, we are owned by our possessions, held captive by our treasures. You continue to offer us healing and hope. You seek to transform our lives from captivity to freedom in witness and service. We look at the world in which there is so very much warfare and strife, anger and hatred, and we easily become overwhelmed by the needs and the stresses. Help us to place our lives and our trust in you, knowing that with your help, many wonderful things can be accomplished which will provide hope and peace for others and ourselves. Give us courage and strength to truly be your disciples. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord Jesus Christ, we confess.
Worshipers
We call you Lord, yet we worship other things. Other activities, other relationships, other gods.
Pastor / Worship Leader
You tell us we cannot serve two masters
Worshipers
Yet we spend more time focusing our energies elsewhere, diverting our time, our energy, our money, our attention away from you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, gracious Savior, when our hearts are led astray when we serve other gods and worship them.
Worshipers
We turn away from our distractions and sin. Strengthen us to set our faces toward Jerusalem,
To take up our cross and follow you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We pray this, counting on your grace.
Worshipers
Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Amos 5:6-7, 10-15
The Prophet Amos strives to bring true repentance to God’s people- by announcing God’s coming judgement. He speaks of injustice in the courts and those who hate the truth. Those who oppress the innocent and take bribes. God knows how great their sins are. He implores the Israelites to seek the Lord and live! To seek good, not evil, and live! And maybe God will have mercy.
Seek the Lord and live, or he will sweep through the tribes of Joseph like a fire; it will devour them, and Bethel will have no one to quench it. 7 There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.
10 There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. 11 You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you will not drink their wine. 12 For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. 13 Therefore the prudent keep quiet in such times, for the times are evil. 14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. 15 Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.
