"The Royalty of Service"

Call to Worship (Psalm 34)

Bless the Lord at all times. Let everyone bless God. Praise the Lord continually. Let everyone praise Christ. Our souls boast in the Lord. We boast in the Spirit’s greatness. With one voice, we magnify and exalt the Lord, for God has delivered us and made us whole. Exalt our God, the Lord of life.

Opening Prayer (Hebrews 7, Mark 10)

Great Triune God, through Jesus Christ, our great and eternal High Priest, we give you praise and consecrate ourselves to follow you. As we worship you and celebrate your glorious resurrection, open our eyes so that we may see — open the eyes of our mind to learning and understanding; open the eyes of our heart, to love and compassion; open the eyes of our soul, to see our spiritual selves during our time of worship. Amen.

Offering Prayer (Psalm 34, Job 42)

As a token of our gratitude and a reflection of our devotion, we give back to you from our abundance. Multiply the gifts of our hands, that they may double what we could do alone. To the glory and service of Jesus, Amen.

Prayer

Open our eyes, Lord. Help us to see Jesus as he reaches out to heal our blindness. Help us to let go of all those things that keep us in darkness. This day, as your word is proclaimed, let our hearts and souls respond with joy. Transform our lives to do your will. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.

Mark 10:35-4 New International Version The Request of James and John 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. 37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” 39 “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” 41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Benediction/Blessing

Darkness has been banished. Sight has been restored. Your lives are reformed in Christ’s love. Go now in peace to serve with great joy. Bring the love of God with you so that the light which has brightened your life may shine for others. Go now, beloved, to serve. “May the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”AMEN.