Description

Luke 12:13-21 

Jesus warns us to be careful to protect ourselves from greed and covetousness. His teaching reminds us that we are more than how much money we have in the bank, what kind of car we drive, or how big our house is. Our soul is eternal and that which we prize most in life should not be that which is temporary – for we cannot take it with us to the next life. Let us instead learn to be rich toward God and that which concerns His Kingdom.

 

… 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

I Am

David Crowder & Ed Cash, ©2013 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Alletrop Music

 

I Will Boast

Paul Baloche, ©2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

Give Me Faith

Chris Brown, London Gatch, Mack Brock, Wade Joye, 2009 Elevation Worship Publishing (Admin by Essential Music Publishing)

 

[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

Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee 

BH 75 31; BH 91 7; CH 90.271; CHH 2; EH 376; ELW 836; HWC 1; HPW 10; HFG 377; HLC 25; HGP 14; LBW 551; LSB 803; NCH 4; PH 464; RH 4; RS 669; STTL 174; WC 20; UMH 89; WAR 59; WHM 36; WIS 2

Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense

LBW 340; LSB 741; LW 266

  

Invocation

Pastor               I welcome you all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 

ALL                  Praise to the Lord Jesus Christ!

  

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

   Pastor/Worship Leader speaks

 

Pastor               Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day you have given to us. Thank you for the many blessings you bestow upon us.

 

ALL                  To you, God, we give thanks.

 

Pastor               Lord we ask that you would open our hearts and minds to receive Your word today. Teach us to value that which is everlasting and remind us that the treasures of                             this life are fleeting.

 

ALL                  In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen. 

 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor               Let us take a moment to each consider the worldly trappings that we cling to, whether for security, power, or pride. We confess, Lord that our hearts have become                             attached to money and things.

 

ALL                  Jesus, you are our true treasure.

 

Pastor               Forgive us for taking the blessings you bestow for granted. 

 

ALL                  We repent of our greed and selfishness.

 

Pastor               Fill our hearts with true gratitude for the free gift of your love and grace.

 

ALL                  Thank you for your mercy and forgiveness.  Give us thankful hearts that are ready to share that which you have given to us.

 

Pastor               In Christ’s name we pray,

 

ALL                  Amen.

 

…  We Hear God’s Word  …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12-14; 2:18-23                                   

Solomon tells us that true wisdom cannot be found in the world and the human mind. God is the source of true wisdom and when we grasp this truth, we will have contentment and purpose. Glorifying God through our work on earth will have eternal rewards.

                       

2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? 23 All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.