Everything you need for August 29 online worship.
Preparations for Worship:
- Do your best to eliminate distractions like the phone, TV, etc.
- Worship actively! Whether you are by yourself or with others, try reading the parts of the service aloud (responses, lessons, and prayers).
- This service is for children too. Help them participate. Ask those who have that ability to read a prayer or lesson aloud. Take a moment to describe what’s happening. Ask questions. Encourage little ones to draw what they are hearing while you all listen. Unlike our more typical Sunday worship at church, you can pause at any time for questions and discussion.
- Before you begin, load each of the videos below. (You might first have to get past a distracting ad.)
- Pause for a moment of quiet meditation. Then pray:
“Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and speak your praise. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.”
GATHERING RITE ON THE WORD OF GOD
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers. For I meditate on your statutes.
How sweet are your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness,
So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Yet so often we have despised God’s Word and failed to gladly hear and learn it. For this and all our sins, we bow before God and humbly ask his forgiveness.
Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
God gave his Word so, “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” The Scriptures testify about Jesus, who lived a perfect life for you, died on the cross to pay for all your sins, and rose again to assure you of your salvation. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority , I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
LESSON – HEBREWS 11:24-28
24By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter when he grew up. 25He chose to be mistreated with God’s people rather than enjoy sin for a little while. 26He considered disgrace for the sake of Christ as greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s wrath, because he persevered as one who sees him who is invisible. 28By faith he celebrated the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not strike them down.
GOSPEL – JOHN 6:60-69
60When they heard it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching! Who can listen to it?” 61But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, asked them, “Does this cause you to stumble in your faith? 62What if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh does not help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning those who would not believe and the one who would betray him. 65He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father.” 66After this, many of his disciples turned back and were not walking with him anymore. 67So Jesus asked the Twelve, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
DEVOTION – JOSHUA 24:1-2, 14-18
CONFESSION – APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings may be given on-line at tithe.ly/risensavior, mailed to the church, or dropped off at the church.
Our members have joined together in faith and love to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. Guests need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Almighty God, we ask You to be near us with Your Word and Spirit. Guide and lead us, that we may not forget the wonderful ways you serve us.
Direct us always with Your Word of truth.
Lord, You are the strength of the weak and the refuge of the powerless. Grant assurance and deliverance to those tempted.
Give Your power, grace and love to those who need it.
Lord of the Church, it is your will that the good news about Jesus be known. We are encouraged to see your Word taking root in the hearts of so many in Liberia, Africa. Continue to fan into flame their faith. Send your angels to protect each of the 35 congregations and watch over the more than 5,000 souls. Bless the efforts of our One Africa Team as they teach and preach your saving truths as you give them the opportunity.
Grant all who hear your Word faith to believe it, strength to obey it, and conviction to confess it.
Lord of wind and wave, you know of the danger stirring off the Gulf Coast this morning. Many are in the path of this hurricane. This is not surprising you. The winds blow and the waves crash only according to your allowing them. In that we find our assurances. That you are still in control. That you are working for the eternal good of all those who will face this dangerous hurricane today. Keep safe all those in Ida’s path. Keep the damage minimal. Be with all in the recovery and aftermath.
Do not let the hearts of people despair, but sustain and comfort them. Heal the injured, console the afflicted, protect the helpless, and deliver all who are still in danger, through Jesus Christ.
We come to you because our hearts are breaking at the news of the violence and death coming out of Afghanistan. We ask for your help, strength, healing, and peace. We look to you for comfort and hope. Come quickly and give comfort to the families of the Marines and Sailors who lost their lives in service to our country and to those who desperately needed their help in Kabul. Be with the families of the civilians who have been killed and all those who have been injured. Be with our military men and women who are still on the front lines serving. We also ask you to give wisdom to our leaders and representatives as they lead during this time of crisis.
Open the hearts of all people to look to you as the source of true peace, hope, and certainty that you promise to give us through our Savior Jesus who lived and died and lives again for us.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Jesus, who taught us to pray…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
THE LORD’S BLESSING
Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Amen.