OPENING PRAYER
Father,
As we gather at the start of this new year,
Open our hearts to Your calling.
Make us brave enough to hear Your voice,
And bold enough to follow where You lead.
Lord Jesus,
You commissioned us to go into all the world.
Start with our world—right here in LaPorte.
Start with our lives—right where we are.
Start with our hearts right at this moment.
Holy Spirit,
Give us eyes to see the mission field around us:
In our neighborhoods,
At our workplaces,
Among our families,
Through our church.
Together, we surrender our plans to Your purpose.
Together, we commit our lives to Your mission.
Together, we ask for courage to step out in faith.
Make us a church that reflects Your heart,
A people who share Your love,
And a community that lives on mission.
For Your glory and our joy,
Amen.
SERMON
POINT: Our
POINT: Let’s
POINT: Jesus urges us to engage
Matthew 28:18-20 NRSV
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
POINT: Your next step is your most
POINT: A mission-driven church becomes a
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen
Amen.