Worship Service for April 6, 2025 at 11 AM

Welcome

Opening Song: Father Abraham

Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons had Father Abraham.
I am one of them and so are you. So, let’s just praise the Lord! 

Right arm
Left arm
Right foot
Left foot
Chin up
Turn around
Sit down                                                                       © Public Domain

Invocation

Confession and Forgiveness:

P: We have come here today to worship the Lord.  In worship we hear the Word of God, we receive God’s blessings, and respond with thanks and praise.  We begin by seeking God’s blessing of forgiveness.  He has promised to remove the guilt and shame of our sin through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

(a time of silence to reflect and personally confess our sins)

P: Let us confess our sins to the Lord. 

P: Heavenly Father,
C: Heavenly Father,

P: I have done things that were wrong.
C: I have done things that were wrong.

P: I have been mean to others.
C: I have been mean to others.

P: I have not obeyed my parents.
C: I have not obeyed my parents.

P: I have not obeyed You, God.
C: I have not obeyed You, God.

P: But I am very sorry.
C: But I am very sorry.

P: Please forgive me.
C: Please forgive me.

P: I love You very much.
C: I love You very much.

P: And I know You love me, too.
C: And I know You love me, too.

P: Amen.
C: Amen.

P: God has heard your apology.  He loves you very much.  God has told us that when we believe and trust in Him, He makes us His children.  As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our sins from us. He has told me to tell you that you are forgiven.  So, as His servant, I forgive you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 
C: Amen.

Song: God Is So Good

God is so good. God is so good.
God is so good. He’s so good to me.

He died for me. He died for me so.
He died for me. He’s so good to me.

He loves me so. He loves me so.
He loves me so. He’s so good to me.                                               © Public Domain

First Reading – Genesis 22:7-14

Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” Abraham answered, “Yes, son?” Isaac said, “I see the wood and the fire. But where is the lamb we will burn as a sacrifice?” Abraham answered, “God himself is providing the lamb for the sacrifice, my son.”

So both Abraham and his son went together to that place. When they came to the place where God told them to go, Abraham built an altar. He carefully laid the wood on the altar. Then he tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached for his knife to kill his son.

But the angel of the Lord stopped him. The angel called from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” Abraham answered, “Yes?” The angel said, “Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you do respect and obey God. I see that you are ready to kill your son, your only son, for me.”

Then Abraham noticed a ram whose horns were caught in a bush. So Abraham went and took the ram. He offered it, instead of his son, as a sacrifice to God. So Abraham gave that place a name, “The Lord Provides.” Even today people say, “On the mountain of the Lord, he will give us what we need.”

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.              C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message “The Lord Provides”

Song: At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

There’s a place, where mercy reigns and never dies
There’s a place, where streams of grace flows deep and wide

Pre-Chorus
All the love, I’ve ever found
Comes like a flood, comes flowing down

Chorus
At the cross, at the cross, I surrender my life
I’m in awe of you; I’m in awe of you
Where your love ran red, and my sins washed white
I owe all to you, I owe all to you, Jesus

There’s a place, where sin and shame are powerless
Where my heart has peace with God, and forgiveness

(Pre-Chorus)

(Chorus)

Bridge
Here my hope is found, here on holy ground
Here I bow down, here I bow down
Here arms open wide, here you saved my life
Here I bow down, here I bow

(Chorus)                                                                        © Countless Wonder Publishing 

Second Reading – Genesis 22:1-2

After these things God decided to test Abraham’s faith. God said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Yes!” Then God said, “Take your son to the land of Moriah and kill your son there as a sacrifice for me. This must be Isaac, your only son, the one you love. Use him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains there. I will tell you which mountain.”

Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.              C: Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message “What Would You Sacrifice?”

Gospel Reading – John 8:42–59
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me,

for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

The Jews answered him, “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me. Yet I do not seek my own glory; there is One who seeks it, and he is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.” The Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.            C: Praise be to You, O Christ. 

Song: Seek Ye First

Seek ye first, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, Alleluia.

Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and ye shall find.
Knock and it shall be opened unto you. Allelu, Alleluia.

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word,
That proceeds out from the mouth of the Lord. Allelu, Alleluia.

© Public Domain

Sermon – “Sacrificing Something Precious”

Sermon Reading – Genesis 22:1-14

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young mn with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.

Prayers: Text in prayer requests to (813) 326-5255

The Lord’s Prayer

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

Benediction – The online service ends. The closing hymn video is on the Livestream page bulletin at FaithWesleyChapel.com with lyrics below. See announcements below as well. 

Closing Song: This Is Amazing Grace

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger
The King of Glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder
Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

 

Chorus:
This is amazing grace. This is unfailing love
That You would take my place. That You would bear my cross
You would lay down Your life, that I would be set free
Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me

 

Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, The King of Glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of Glory, the King above all kings

(Chorus)

Bridge:
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave

(Repeat 2x)

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. Worthy! Worthy! Worthy!

(Chorus) © 2012 Bethel Music, Seems Like Music, Sing My Songs, Phil Wickham Music, and Warner Chappell Music