Words To Live By - Heaven
Welcome!
Today’s word to live by: HEAVEN
Heaven is the most requested word in the "Words to Live By" series. The Bible is the only authoritative source of information about Heaven. In the last book of Scripture we find the description of a new heaven, a new earth.
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ORDER OF WORSHIP
Reckless Love
Before I spoke a word You were singing over me
You have been so so good to me
Before I took a breath You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so kind to me
Oh the overwhelming never-ending
Reckless Love of God
Oh it chases me down fights 'til I'm found
Leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it I don't deserve it
Still You give Yourself away
Oh the overwhelming never-ending
Reckless Love of God
When I was Your foe still Your love fought for me
You have been so so good to me
When I felt no worth You paid it all for me
You have been so so kind to me
Oh the overwhelming never-ending
Reckless Love of God
Oh it chases me down fights 'til I'm found
Leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it I don't deserve it
Still You give Yourself away
Oh the overwhelming never-ending
Reckless Love of God
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me
Oh the overwhelming never-ending
Reckless Love of God
Oh it chases me down fights 'til I'm found
Leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it I don't deserve it
Still You give Yourself away
Oh the overwhelming never-ending
Reckless Love of God
Greeting
Farewell to the Grimms
Installation of ECEC Director
Reading
John 14:2-3 -My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Son of Heaven
This is the word
Here in the flesh
Living among the meek and lowly
The voice of God
His every breath
Salvation of the world unfolding
Behold Him
Behold Him
Lift up your eyes
See the Son of Heaven
Hosanna
Hosanna
Pour out your praise
Sing the name of Jesus
This is His heart
Upon the cross
And from His wounds His mercies flowing
And now the dawn
Put death to death
And ever since that grave’s been empty
Behold Him
Behold Him
Lift up your eyes
See the Son of Heaven
Hosanna
Hosanna
Pour out your praise
Sing the name of Jesus
This is His home
Here in our chest
At every door our Savior’s knocking
Oh let Him in
Oh let Him out
With every yes His kingdom’s coming
The sound of every saint rejoicing
Oh Jesus Christ the hope of Glory
Behold Him
Behold Him
Lift up your eyes
See the Son of Heaven
Hosanna
Hosanna
Pour out your praise
Sing the name of Jesus
Behold Him
Behold Him
Lift up your eyes
See the Son of Heaven
Hosanna
Hosanna
Pour out your praise
Sing the name of Jesus
Pour out your praise
Sing the name of Jesus
STP Kids Dismissal
STP Kids is the Children’s Ministry at St. Peter’s Edina, designed for all children from 6 months to 10 years old (Grade 5). Our vision is to partner with parents in raising up a generation of children that will seek their God-given Kingdom mission and impact their world for Jesus!
Message: Heaven
Question 1 - What if we started to view heaven less as a place and more as a gathering of people?
Revelation 21:1-3 - Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
Philippians 3:20-21 - But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Matthew 6:9 - “Our Father, who art in heaven.”
Question 2 - What if we started to view heaven less as sadness and death and sorrow and more about joy?
Revelation 21:4-5 - ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Question 3 - What if we started to view heaven less as what comes sometime in the future and more as the beginning of living here and now?
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Question 4 - What if we started to view heaven by faith, more than just a myth that has no basis?
John 14:23 - Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Revelation 21:23-27 - The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Scripture Reading
Luke 24:45-52 - Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Prayer
Confession
People: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Communion
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod holds the Biblical teaching that in Communion we receive the true body and blood of Jesus Christ with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins. If you are a baptized Christian who has been instructed in the Biblical teaching of the real presence of the Christ in this meal and grace through faith in Christ, and if you agree with our confession of faith, please join with the fellowship of disciples in Holy Communion.
We worship and praise our Risen Savior forever!
“Everyone should examine themselves first, and then eat the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:28-29)
The Lord’s Prayer
People: 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.
Blessing
John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
A hymn of glory let us sing
New hymns throughout
The world shall ring
Alleluia alleluia
Christ by a road before untrod
Ascends unto the throne of God
Alleluia alleluia
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
The holy apostolic band
Upon the Mount of Olives stand
Alleluia alleluia
And with His faithful
Followers see
Their Lord ascend
In majesty
Alleluia alleluia
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
You see Him now ascending high
Up to the portals of the sky
Alleluia alleluia
Here after Jesus you shall see
Returning in great majesty
Alleluia alleluia
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Give us Your joy on earth O Lord
In heaven to be our great reward
Alleluia alleluia
Where throned with You forever we
Shall praise Your name eternally
Alleluia alleluia
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
O risen Christ ascended Lord
All praise to You let earth accord
Alleluia alleluia
You are while endless ages run
With Father and with Spirit one
Alleluia alleluia
Alleluia alleluia alleluia
Offerings
No matter how you give, it is changing lives! The giving methods are different than they were historically - in fact, they are somewhat easier! Every week you have an opportunity to worship the Lord and show that He is important through your gift. Offer a prayer and receive a smile knowing you are building the Kingdom of God. Thank you.
Mission Update - Investing in the Kingdom
Prayer Requests
Week of May 22: Pray for our investment in the Kingdom. May the Spirit move our St. Peter’s family to generous financial investment as we build a bigger heaven.
Jim, Tosca, Naomi, & Jamie are beginning a new journey in their faith life at the end of the month. They will be headed to Pensacola, Florida where Tosca will serve as Preschool Director. Read the announcement here. Please pray for their transition and the Kingdom work they will do there. They trained us well here in Minnesota - now we release them with our blessing!
Jenna Pitkanen has been identified as the new Early Childhood Education Center Director. Read the announcement here. Jenna holds a bachelors in Child Development from Concordia University - St. Paul and has served at St. Peter's as a lead teacher for 6 years. Please pray for her leadership of our ministry to ECEC families.
Berniece Ruthenbeck had another compression fracture of her spine this last week. Please pray that the Lord would grant her healing just as He has done in the past. She is so grateful for the power of prayer.
Ron Fullerton passed away Friday at the age of 92. They had been long time members. Marilyn can be reached at 952-836-6410.
Birthdays
5/23 Todd Crouch
5/23 Stefan Mockovciak
5/24 Karen Anderson
5/25 Ruth Spinner
5/27 Tim Gaudineer
5/30 Derek Arens
5/31 Maxwell Pitkanen
Pastor Led Sunday Bible Class
We had to add two tables - now there is room for you! Every Sunday you are invited to join with fellow worshipers to study the Sunday texts more in depth. Examine the context to see the setting of the story. Be challenged to apply Biblical truth to your life. At 10:30am in the Discipleship Room to the right as you exit the sanctuary. Bring a cup of coffee and pick up a treat to enjoy on your way in. Life Application Bibles are provided for your study. Get a deeper look at the Revelation of Jesus Christ during the month of May.
Thank you from our Friends in the Ukraine
Thank You and A Big Thank You from our lovely Ukrainian Brothers & Sisters!!!
Todd, our ministry partner from St. Louis Park writes: “I just came from Bucha and Irpin, Ukraine where we delivered food and medicine from Poland. It was very sad, the bombing and destruction of many homes there. The Church where we stayed at, all the windows were blown out by the shrapnel from the house that was bombed across the street. We stayed warm as the Lord provided us with plug in heaters. AMEN! And several blocks away we dropped off food to the seminary where they are distributing it and helping the people in Irpin.”
Your donations marked “Ukraine” will be used now for food for those in shelters.
COVID-19
To find out more about how St. Peter’s is addressing COVID-19 pandemic, click below to view our preparedness & Safety Plan.
Reckless Love
CCLI Song # 7089641
Caleb Culver | Cory Asbury | Ran Jackson
© 2017 Cory Asbury Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)
Richmond Park Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Watershed Worship Publishing (Admin. by Watershed Music Group)
Bethel Music Publishing
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 277265
Son of Heaven
CCLI Song # 7158420
Brandon Lake | Dante Bowe | Matt Maher
© 2020 Bethel Worship Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)
Brandon Lake Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)
Maverick City Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)
Maverick City Publishing Worldwide (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)
Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
I Am A Pilgrim Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Bethel Music Publishing
For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 277265