SermonStudio

First Lesson: Exodus 14:19-31
Theme: Through Desert And Sea To Make History


Call To Worship (Psalm 114)
When Israel went out from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language,
Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
The sea looked and fled; Jordan turned back.
The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.
Why is it, O sea, that you flee? O Jordan, that you turn back?
O mountains, that you skip like rams? O hills, like lambs?
Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,
who turns the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a spring of water.


Collect
In boldness we go forward, Lord, with the example of your prophets opening the way to righteousness. As you led your children out of darkness into light, we pray for victories in our lives as well against the chains that bind us. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession
Lead on, Lord, with cloud and fire through day and night. Lead on, Lord, though we tremble at life's woes that hurry in pursuit. Often we have stumbled in our faintness of heart, but as we seek to shed the life of sin we pray that with your help we will take hold of the new life in Christ that awaits us. These things we pray in your name. Amen.


Hymns
"Come, Ye Faithful, Raise The Strain"
"Lead On, O Cloud Of Presence"
"Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus"


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Second Lesson: Romans 14:1-12
Theme: Just Who Do You Think's In Charge?


Call To Worship (Romans 14:7-9)

One: We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves.

All: If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

One and All: For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.


Collect
Merciful God, you have called upon us to love you with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Everything else is window dressing. Thank you for this gospel of simplicity as we gather this day to worship you in the Spirit of your truth. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession (Psalm 103:8-13)

One: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

All: He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.

One: He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

All: For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

One: as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

All: As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.


Hymns
"Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine"
"Awake My Soul"
"Savior Of My Soul" (see page 245)


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Gospel Lesson: Matthew 18:21-35
Theme: A Gazillion Dollars


Call To Worship

One: The Lord is calling.

All: After all we have sinned, he still calls us?

One: The Lord has forgiven us.

All: After all we have been forgiven, he has more grace to share?

One: The Lord is healing us.

All: Let us come together to become God's people in prayer and praise this day.


Collect
Patient and loving God, you astound us with the depth of your forgiveness. May we demonstrate in our own actions that same welcoming acceptance to all your children gathered here today, and to the many more out there in the world seeking for you. Amen.


Prayer Of Confession
God of forgiveness, God of memory, how deep and wide is your fountain of grace. As we plunge into your bountiful ocean of mercy we pray that we will share in at least partial measure the measureless forgiveness you have granted to us. Amen.


Hymns
"Amazing Grace"
"There's A Wideness In God's Mercy"
"Oh, How Wondrous The Grace Of Our God"