Sermonstudio

Call To Worship
One of the themes of this week's reading is praise. The Calls To Worship will reflect that.
Leader:
The one constant,
People:
The unchanging reality
Leader:
That we can always count on
People:
That will never disappoint us,
Leader:
Is this,
People:
That the Father,
Leader:
Our Father,
People:
In heaven,
Leader:
Will never,
People:
Ever,
Leader:
Abandon or forsake us.
People:
Praise God!
Leader:
With hearts, and hands,
People:
And voices.
Leader:
Amen.

From Psalm 24.
Leader:
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it,
People:
The world, and all who live in it;
Leader:
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?


Who may stand in his holy place?
People:
Those who have clean hands and pure hearts,
Leader:
Those who do not worship idols or swear by what is false.
People:
These ones will receive blessing from the Lord.
Leader:
Lift up your heads people of God,


Awaken for the King of glory is ready to enter.
People:
Who is this King of glory?
Leader:
The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
People:
Who is this King of glory?
Leader:
The Lord Almighty, he is the King of glory.
People:
Let us worship the King of glory!

This has inklings of Psalm 24 with its encouragement to awaken.
Leader:
Are you here to worship?
People:
Yes!
Leader:
To let go of the concerns of this world?
People:
Yes!
Leader:
And turn hearts and minds to the things of God?
People:
Yes!
Leader:
So let us now remember the things of God.
People:
Infinite power,
Leader:
Enduring mercy,
People:
Abundant patience,
Leader:
Gracious love.
People:
Yes!
Leader:
Let us remember the things of God.
People:
Amen.

How about something on grace?
Monologue:

A man came to the office the other day. He sat down and said to me, "I hear you speak of 'The Good News' all the time, tell me, what is this news?" I told him of the God who created us beautiful and gave us paradise; of the freedom we use to rebel against God; of the consequences of sin; of the glorious sacrifice God made in sending Jesus to die for us; of the news that our sins are wiped away and new life is given us; and that it is all a free gift.

He sat in silence a moment, thinking, and then said to me, "No, I don't buy it. It's too good to be true."

Come, let us celebrate the too-good-to-be-true news that forgiveness has been given, sin is overcome, and everlasting life is ours. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession
Two options this week. Both deal with how we fail to put God in the first place in our lives.
Leader:
Lord, we are so unaffected by your magnificence. We are deadened daily by data and drama portrayed in the media, so that nothing shocks or moves us.
People:
Help us to step outside the barrage,
Leader:
That we might experience,
People:
Truly experience,
Leader:
The deep awe,
People:
The terror
Leader:
And wonder
People:
Of you.
Leader:
Lord, move in us today.
People:
Amen.

Second option.
Leader:
O God, for being so deaf to your wonderful music of life,
People:
We beg your forgiveness.
Leader:
For ignoring your melody,
People:
For changing your tune,
Leader:
For failing to harmonize with you,
People:
We offer an apology.
Leader:
For hearing the music of darkness and death,
People:
For becoming instruments that echo this music,
Leader:
For oppressing people with this music,
People:
Rather than freeing them with your music,
Leader:
We seek pardon,
People:
And ask that you retune our ears,
Leader:
Refocus our voices,
People:
And make us instruments of your music and yours alone.
Leader:
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.


Assurance Of Pardon
This is a long Assurance Of Pardon, but there is nothing wrong with dwelling on the wonders of the gospel, just as Paul does in this week's Ephesians passage which, coincidently, is the basis for this Assurance.
Listen to these words written by the Apostle Paul in the book of Ephesians:

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. God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his children 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 Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under Christ.


The world seeks riches of silver and gold, but these are the riches we should seek:


Every spiritual blessing -- freely given to us,


Redemption -- the forgiveness of sins,


The riches of God's grace lavished on us,


The mysteries of his will and good pleasure,

Repent and seek forgiveness and it will be yours. And then live in Christ so that the riches of his grace may be yours as well. Amen.


Prayer Of Dedication
Father of all, we are the most blessed of your children. Open our eyes to this. Use that knowledge as a wedge to make us generous in:


Our judgments of others,


In sharing our hearts,


In offering our time,


In giving of our wealth,

And may this offering, given to those whose need is greater than ours, be especially blessed by you. Amen.


Prayer For Illumination
Let us pray: The gift of someone's heart is a great and precious gift. Lord, in these words we have been given the gift of your heart. This morning may we understand the preciousness of this gift, and take it into our hearts that it might remake us in your image. Amen.


Pastoral Prayer
Since this week's theme has much to do with celebrating the riches of knowing God, you might just ask your people to share using the following question as a starter.

Where did you see God this week?

You can then pray a prayer of celebration based on their answers.

Your prayer could begin something like this:
Lord of glories, you have blessed us more richly than we can even imagine. We have more blessings than we can count: forgiveness, a clean slate, a new beginning, new life, abundant life, peace with God, and new mercies every morning. This morning we bring before you a sacrifice of praise for the blessings we have counted in this congregation ...


Benediction
David danced so hard that he lost his clothing. His wife thought it entirely too undignified for a king. But David was simply expressing the joy of the Lord. Would that we had this joy. Amen.


Hymns

All Creatures Of Our God And King

Clap Your Hands

Come, Let Us Worship And Bow Down

God Of Abraham Praise, The

God Our Father We Adore Thee

It Is Good To Sing Thy Praises

Lord Of The Dance

O Worship The Lord (Chorus)

We Have Come Into His House

We Will Sing The Mighty Power Of God

We Worship And Adore You


Contemporary Choruses

Come Into His Presence, Lynn Baird

Here I Am To Worship, Tim Hughes

I Exult Thee, Pete Sanchez, Jr.

I Sing Praises, Terry MacAlmon

There Is None Like You, Lenny LeBlanc

We Bow Down, Twila Paris

We Bring The Sacrifice Of Praise, Kirk Dearman

Worthy, You Are Worthy, Don Moen


Other Music

Hallelujahs, Chris Rice
Great praise song.

Lord Of The Dance, Steve Curtis Chapman

Thy Mercy, Caedmon's Call
Nice worship song.