Description
Matthew 9:9-13,18-26
Matthew, a tax collector and the author of this Gospel, describes his own calling by Jesus. As Jesus dines at Matthew’s house with sinners and tax collectors, the Pharisees have a problem. Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea and then states he has come not for the righteous, but the sinners.
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
God So Loved
Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Andrew Bergthold, Martin Cash, 2019 We The Kingdom Music, Andrew Bergthold Designee, We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee, Capitol CMG Genesis, Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Holy Spirit Come
Bede Benjamin-Korporaal | Nick Herbert | Patrick Mayberry © 2021 Bede Benjamin-Korporaal Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Centricity Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Safe and Sound Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) SHOUT MP Carrington (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Lord, Reign In Me
Brenton Brown, ©1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) (Admin. by Vineyard Music UK)
[Traditional Options]
Come Follow Me, The Savior Spoke
ELW 799; LBW 455; LSB 688; LW 379
Today Your Mercy Calls Us
LBW 304; LSB 915; LW 347
Hark The Voice of Jesus Calling
BH 91 591; HFG 669; HLC 493; LBW 381; LSB 826/827; LW 318; RH 365
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Almighty God, As we stand in awe of your goodness and mercy today, we invite you to be present amongst us by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Worshipers
Father, we declare that we love you. Thank you that you have made the way of love known through your son Jesus Christ.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, into your most holy presence we now come. Calm our anxious spirits. Remove the distractions that would keep us from you here today.
Worshipers
Lead us in joy and celebration of the only reality worth knowing, that you love us as we are. Free us for joyful obedience to your claim and call on our lives this day and every day.
Pastor / Worship Leader
May we listen for your still, small voice as it speaks to us today and as it boldly proclaims the undeniable reality of your love that will not let us go.
Worshipers
Let us raise our eyes, knowing that this new life of stewardship for all God’s creation is seen in the life of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice, for your life on earth. We praise you and worship you Jesus. Oh, that we could be like Matthew and the other apostles- that when you call us, we drop what we’re doing and follow. Oh, that we would be willing to give up everything to be obedient and to serve you. Just like you did Jesus. You did the will of Father when you died on the cross. Your will be done in our lives Christ. We love you and we pray in your name, amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
Lord, we confess that we have been disobedient. We have ignored your call, your word. We have happily accepted your grace and mercy but have not responded by following you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Have mercy on us, Lord. We have decided not to serve others, as Christ served us.
Worshipers
We confess to you, Lord, that we have walked by the homeless man without a second thought. We have not prayed for those in hospitals or jail. Even though, by your grace and mercy, we have the ability to do so, we still have not helped the fatherless or the widow.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Accept our repentance, Lord, for the uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us and to the marginalized in society.
Worshipers
Forgive us Jesus, yet again. Restore us. Help us to repent, to turn away from sin. To turn to you, our Savior. Help us to live a life in relationship with you and following you, Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord have mercy and forgive us through Christ. Amen
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Hosea 5:15-6:6
Israel continues to turn from the Lord, to worship idols, to ignore the punishment from God. The prophet Hosea pleads for Israel to acknowledge the Lord. He says he will appear, as surely as the sun rises and the rain waters the earth. God says he will continue to judge, but that he offers and desires mercy, not sacrifice. Jesus quotes this himself when dining with the tax collectors.
Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face—in their misery they will earnestly seek me.
“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us, but he will bind up our wounds. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.” 4 “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. 5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets, I killed you with the words of my mouth—then my judgments go forth like the sun. 6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
