Martha’s Menu Madness. When Martha cooks, it’s not just a meal; it’s a Michelin-star review incentive!
Section 1. Welcome and Announcements
Welcome Dear friends, it is with great warmth and joy that I welcome you to our service today. As we gather together in the spirit of community and faith, I am reminded of the beautiful moments shared in John 12:1-8, where Mary anoints Jesus’ feet in an act of loving devotion. Let us open our hearts to embrace the love and grace of our Savior.
Announcements
Upcoming Event: Join us next Saturday for our community outreach at the local shelter. Let’s spread love and compassion together!
Bible Study: Our weekly Bible study group meets every Wednesday evening. All are welcome to deepen their understanding of God’s Word.
Community Updates: Congratulations to the Smith family on their new baby! Let’s keep them in our prayers.
Section 2. Call to Worship
Let’s turn our hearts towards God with a scripture passage that guides us into His presence. As we read these words, let them become a prayer that aligns our thoughts and intentions with His will.
Responsive Reading
Leader: “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.”
Congregation: “For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117)
Section 3. Opening Prayer
Let us bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you with grateful hearts, ready to receive your wisdom and love. Open our minds to understand your teachings and fill our spirits with a sense of peace and purpose that only you can provide. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Section 4. Praise and Worship
Let’s lift our hearts and voices in praise. Our worship team will lead us through a beautiful blend of contemporary songs and timeless hymns. May our songs this morning be a pleasing offering to our Lord, bringing us closer in adoration and love.
Section 5. Scripture Reading
Introduction
Today, we reflect on a poignant moment from the Gospel of John, where Mary displays profound devotion to Jesus.
The Events in the NIV Bible Verse: John 12:1-8
In the days leading up to the Passover, Jesus visited Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. Mary, in an act of selfless love, anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, wiping them with her hair. This gesture not only exemplified her deep love for Christ but also prefigured His impending burial.
NIV Bible Verse: John 12:1-8
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”
He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
Section 6. Pastoral Prayer or Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we ponder the lesson of love and sacrifice in Mary’s actions, help us to walk in her footsteps, offering our lives in service to You and others. May our actions reflect the depth of our commitment to following Christ’s example.
Congregational Prayer Response
Lord, may we, like Mary, offer the best of what we have in true devotion to You. Teach us to live with open hearts, welcoming Your guidance and embracing Your love. Amen.
Section 7. Offering
Our tithes and offerings are more than a tradition; they are a powerful act of worship and trust in God’s provision. As we give, let us remember that our contributions enable us to serve and reach those in need.
Prayer of Thanks
Gracious God, we thank you for these gifts and the hands that share them. May they further Your kingdom and honor Your holy name. Amen.
Section 8. Special Music
Bring This Sermon to Life: The Full Teaching and Tools
In this moment of reflection, let the music speak to your heart, reminding us of God’s endless love and grace.
Gain Access to the Complete Short Powerful Sermon
This music, much like our service, aims to inspire, challenge, and comfort us as we continue our journey with Christ.
Paid Content Section 9. Sermon
We invite you to dig deeper into this teaching with our full sermon and tools designed to enrich your spiritual journey.
Why One Woman’s Extravagant Love Could Change Everything
Discover the Power of Unreserved Worship
Have you ever felt that nudging in your heart, a whisper that urges you to go all in for something greater? This is precisely what Mary experienced when she anointed Jesus with precious perfume. This single act wasn’t just a moment—it was a declaration of love, a testament to her gratitude, and a powerful reminder that worship can be radical and transformative. What if this story holds the key to unlocking a deeper faith for you and your community?
The Story That Connects Us All
Picture this: Mary, in a crowded room, throws caution to the wind. While others watch skeptically, she breaks open a jar of expensive ointment and pours it over Jesus’s feet. The room hushed; disbelief swirled in the air like the fragrance filling the space. Yet, in that shared moment, with society’s norms set aside, Mary’s heart speaks louder than words. This story isn’t merely about a fragrance—it’s a narrative about breaking chains, stepping beyond doubt, and connecting deeply with the divine.
As her tears mingle with the perfume, a powerful transformation occurs—not just for her, but for everyone present. The skeptical voices, the societal judgments, melt away in the sacred atmosphere of love and devotion. This moment invites us to reconsider our own acts of worship and the extent to which we are willing to offer ourselves to Christ.
The Offer: A Path to Deeper Connection
Now, imagine the impact this powerful message could have if shared among your congregation. Consider how lives could be transformed as they resonate with the idea of pouring out their best for Christ, just as Mary did. This sermon, crafted with love and depth, is designed to inspire, uplift, and reignite the passion within each listener. Your contribution is not just a donation; it’s an investment in a ministry that aims to deepen faith and foster real connections with God.
When you support this ministry, you’re not just funding programs—you’re becoming a part of this transformation. So, if you’ve felt the stirrings of excitement and purpose from this message, please consider being generous in your donation. Your support keeps this mission alive and thriving, creating opportunities for hope, healing, and spiritual growth.
If you see the value in resonating with these profound truths, I encourage you to act now. Together, let’s make this message live on in the hearts of many.
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