Introduction
Luke 7:36-50 tells the story of a woman who put her love for Jesus on public display. She received from him the forgiveness of sins that comes through faith. Consequently, her great love for him overflowed like an artesian well.
The hymns in our worship service express our offerings of love for the salvation he gives, for forgiveness received through faith in Him and secured by death in our place.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Welcome and Call to Worship
Prelude
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn O God Beyond All Praising
Notes: We set the tone for the service with a hymn that reminds us of our ultimate focus in all things. God, alone, is worthy of our praise; we can never exhaust the praise that is due his name. Praise expresses our live for him, so we sing, “Then hear, O gracious Savior, the love we bring that we who know your favor may serve you as our King.”
Hymn 21 Fairest Lord Jesus
Notes: This hymn proclaims that Jesus is dearer to us anything in creation. “Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor, Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.”
Scripture Reading: Psalm 31:1-11
Notes: The secondary character the sermon text is a woman Luke refers to as “a sinner.” Such are we all! She was overwhelmed by Jesus’ acceptance and the forgiveness he granted her. David, himself a notorious sinner, wrote this Psalm to sing of the blessing of forgiveness. In verse 8 he turns from addressing God to speak to other sinners.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn 137 When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
Notes: Isaac Watts’ most famous hymn describes how those forgiven by Jesus respond to his love. “The wondrous cross” is a symbol of rich grace beyond imagination. “Love so amazing” leaves no room for our pride and “demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Message: Faith, Forgiveness, and Love
Luke 7:36-50
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn 384 My Jesus, I Love Thee
Notes: Let us respond as did the woman in the sermon text. Loving Jesus with all one’s heart begins with the faith that brings salvation. It then continues as the essence of the Christian life—a love that excludes the old way of sin: “For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.”
Prayer Response: Eric Hicks, Jr.
Benediction: John Miles