Description
Luke 17:11-19
Isn’t it interesting when we gather several people together, how many diverse views emerge when discussing a subject? Often, we hear others point out something that we had not thought about before. We might say, “I see what you are saying” or “I never looked at it that way before.” We also bring views and experiences to the table that others haven’t seen as well. What we SEE in life will have a large bearing on how we live and respond. You can have ten people look at the same painting and it may only be one that sees the most important message in that work of art. In the story before us, it is the tenth leper who REALLY SEES as he turns back to Jesus. He is the one out of ten who responds in praise and is not only healed, but made whole. What you see does make a difference!
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Nothing Is Impossible
Jonathan Hunt © 2008 Planet Shakers Ministries Int. Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Open The Eyes Of My Heart
Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)
Chase Jenkins, Dan Hamilton, Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, Taylor Johnson, Tedd Tjornhom, ©2007 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) Meaux Hits (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Tedasia Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
O Worship The King
BH 75 30; BH 91 16; CH 104; CHH 17; EH 388; ELW 842; HWC 10; HPW 13; HFG 336; HLC 21; HGP 1; HSP 6; LBW 548; LSB 804; LW 458; NCH 26; PH 476; RH 5; STTL 64; WC 29; UMH 73; WAR 2; WHM 14; WIS 6
The Lord, My God, Be Praised
LSB 794; LW 174
O Bless The Lord My Soul
EH 411; LBW 538; LSB 814; LW 457; WC 71
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We come together to worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Faithful and loving God, we join together as one body in Christ, giving thanks for how You revealed Yourself to the disciples and others through healing, acts of mercy, love, and forgivness. You opened their eyes through the ministry of Jesus, the clear revelation of who You are in the world. As You strengthened the faith of the disciples through Your ministry on this earth and helped them see, help us to see in a clearer way. Give us powerful vision so that we can accomplish Your will for us on earth. Open our eyes and hearts to Your word and help us to act on it. We now turn to You and give You praise, honor and glory for who You are and what You have done for us.
ALL In unwavering faith, we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor God of promise and faithfulness, You revealed Your love and care for us through Jesus. He is the light that has come into the darkness of this world filled with sin and despair. What we see is so telling when it comes to our faith in Jesus. We confess that at times, we see God as a stern judge rather than a loving parent. At times, we see ourselves as failures rather than beloved children of God. Often, we see in front of us uncertain fear rather than a horizon of potential and hope. We know this causes us to respond and act in ways which are contrary to Your will and design for us. We are sorry that our sight has been blurred by our cynical attitudes and the ways of the world. Break forth into our lives with your radiant beams of light so that we will recognize You and respond by praising and glorifying Your name.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
ALL Lord God, we know what we have done and are sorry for our offenses. We openly lay our sins before You and with a contrite heart, and humbly ask You to forgive us. We confess that we have lost sight of who You are and have been blinded by our own doubts and behavior. We haven’t adequately thanked You when you bring healing and restoration to our lives.
Pastor Trust now what it says in the Word of God: “If we confess our sins, He who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As a called minister and servant of Christ, know without a doubt that your sins are forgiven. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
Naaman the leper is told to bathe in the river Jordan in order to be healed.
1Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. 2 Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
7 As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” 8 When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.” 11 But Naaman went away angry and said, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 14 So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. 15 Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
