Chased by Pharaoh’s army? More like Pharaoh’s “Oops, I forgot my floaties” moment. Talk about a soggy defeat!
Alright, friends, let’s gather together and open our hearts! It’s so good to see each and every one of you. We’re here to celebrate God’s love and to learn how to walk closer with Him. Let’s make this time together meaningful and uplifting!
Section 1. Welcome and Announcements
Welcome
Welcome, everyone! It’s such a blessing to have you here today. We’re a family here, and we’re so glad you’re a part of it. Let’s open our hearts and receive the joy God has for us.
Announcements
- Community Outreach: This Saturday, we’re volunteering at the local food bank. Please sign up at the welcome desk if you’d like to join us!
- Bible Study Group: Our new weekly Bible study group starts next Tuesday at 7 PM. We’ll be diving deeper into the book of Romans. All are welcome!
- Youth Event: This Friday, our youth group is having a bonfire and worship night. Bring your friends!
- Upcoming Sermon Series: Next Sunday, we’ll begin a new sermon series on “Finding Peace in Chaos.” Get ready to be encouraged!
Section 2. Call to Worship
Call to Worship
Let’s turn our hearts and minds to God, who is always faithful. Let’s remember His promises and His love for us.
“O Lord, our God, you are worthy of all praise and glory. We come before you with open hearts, ready to receive your word and your love. Fill us with your spirit and guide us in our worship.”
Section 3. Opening Prayer
Opening Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today with grateful hearts. Thank you for this day, for this community, and for your constant presence in our lives. We ask that you open our hearts to your word and fill us with your peace. Guide us as we learn and grow together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Section 4. Praise and Worship
Praise and Worship
Let’s lift our voices together in praise and adoration. We’re here to celebrate God’s goodness and to express our love for Him through song. Let our hearts be filled with joy as we worship together.
Section 5. Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading Introduction
Today, we’re going to dive into a powerful passage from the book of Isaiah. This passage reminds us of God’s ability to do the impossible and to create new paths for us.
Events in Isaiah 43:16-21
These verses describe God’s miraculous power to deliver His people. He parts the Red Sea, making a way where there seems to be no way. He promises to do a new thing, creating rivers in the desert and providing for His people in unexpected ways. It’s a message of hope and renewal, reminding us that God is always working for our good.
Isaiah 43:16-21 (NIV)
16 This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,
17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
20 The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
Section 6. Pastoral Prayer or Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Heavenly Father, we lift up those who are facing challenges, those who feel lost or overwhelmed. Just as you made a way in the wilderness for your people, we ask that you make a way for them. Provide them with your comfort, your strength, and your guidance. We pray for healing, for hope, and for your presence to be felt in their lives.
Congregational Prayer Response
Lord, just as you said, “See, I am doing a new thing!” help us to see and perceive your work in our lives. Amen.
Section 7. Offering
Offering Message
Giving our tithes and offerings is an act of worship. It’s a way to express our gratitude to God for all that He has given us. Let’s give generously and joyfully, knowing that our gifts are used to further His kingdom.
Offering Prayer
Dear Lord, we thank you for the opportunity to give back a portion of what you have blessed us with. May these offerings be used to5 honor you and to bless others. We give with joyful hearts. Amen.
Section 8. Special Music
Special Music Introduction
Now, we’ll enjoy a special musical presentation that will help us reflect on the message we’ve heard today.
Bring This Sermon to Life: The Full Teaching and Tools
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They Laughed When He Said “Desert Rivers” – Then THIS Happened…
Picture this: a parched land, cracked earth stretching as far as the eye can see. Despair hangs heavy in the air. For years, the people had only known hardship, their memories filled with the bitter taste of lost hope. They remembered the Red Sea, a terrifying wall of water, a symbol of their impossible predicament.
But then, a whisper. A promise. Not just a promise of escape, but a promise of renewal. “Forget the former things,” the voice echoed, “I am doing a new thing!” Rivers in the desert? It sounded like madness. Sheer, utter madness. They’d seen nothing but dust and desolation.
Yet, something shifted. A flicker of hope, almost forgotten, began to glow. They remembered the times God had moved before, parting seas, providing manna. Maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t just a dream.
And then, it happened. Water, springing forth from the barren ground, a torrent of life where there had been only death. Animals, wild and desperate, drank deeply, their eyes reflecting a newfound peace. The people, their voices hoarse with disbelief, began to sing, a song of praise erupting from their hearts. This was more than just water; it was a testament to God’s love, a promise fulfilled. A new way, a new life, a new song.
This story, my friends, isn’t just a relic of the past. It’s a mirror reflecting our own lives. We all have deserts, moments where hope seems lost, where the impossible looms before us like a cruel joke. But God’s promise remains: He makes a way. He creates rivers in the desert. He invites us to forget the former things and embrace the new.
Feel Free To Use the Previous Section for Bible Study Opening!
Look, you’ve felt the weight of that desert. You’ve tasted the dust of doubt. You know the longing for a fresh start, a new way. And I get it. That’s why I poured my heart into crafting a message that doesn’t just preach, but transforms.
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