051-00762 Worship
As the Deer
I Sing Praises
The God of Abraham Praise (4v)
CALL
Psalm 79:13 (NIV) …we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
BLESSING
We Fall Down
Come, Now is the Time to Worship
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Pinocchio
· Created
· Given Life
· Got in Trouble
· Was saved from his trouble
· Salvation was by death (swallowed by a whale)
· New Life – became a real boy
A metaphor:
A story or object that helps us understand something better.
Pinocchio can be a kind of metaphor that helps us understand ourselves better.
· God Created us
· The Spirit gave us life
· When we got into trouble Jesus saved us
· We now have new lives and will someday be real boys and girls when Jesus comes again.
Father, bless these your children and help them grow into the people you created them to be. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Ephesians 1:3-7 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace…
Give Thanks to God the Father (3v)
MESSAGE
Give Thanks to God the Father (3v)
OFFERING
Next Week Ministry Shares
PRAYER
God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us when we pray to you in his name. Confident in your love and mercy we offer our prayer.
Empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness. Break down the barriers that divide, that, united in your truth and love, the church may confess your name, share one baptism, sit together at one table, and serve you in one common ministry.
Guide the rulers of the nations. Move them to set aside their fear, greed, and vain ambition, and bow to your sovereign rule. Inspire them to strive for peace and justice, that all your children may dwell secure, free of war and injustice.
Hear the cries of the world’s hungry and suffering. Give us, who consume most of the earth’s resources, the will to reorder our lives, that all may have their rightful share of the food, medical care, and shelter, and so have the necessities of a life of dignity.
Strengthen this congregation in its work and worship. Fill our hearts with your self-giving love, that our voices may speak your praise, and our lives may conform to the image of your Son. Nourish us with your Word and sacraments that we may faithfully minister in your name, and witness to your love and grace for all the world.
Look with compassion on all who suffer. Support with your love those with incurable diseases, those unjustly imprisoned, those denied dignity, those who live without hope, those who are homeless or abandoned.
Sustain those among us who need your healing touch. Make the sick whole, especially Rachel Lappinga and John De Young. Uphold all who suffer in body or mind, not only those we know and love like Ryan Luth and Audrey Tan, but also those known only to you, that they may know the peace and joy of your supporting care. And let us not forget Luis Arroyo and his family patiently waiting for an answer to their visa troubles.
O God, in your loving purpose answer our prayers and fulfill our hopes. In all things for which we pray, give us the will to seek to bring them about, for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.
You Are My All in All
BENEDICTION
Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.