Description

John 2:1-11 

If you take away faith, there is no hope.  If you take away faith, why pray?  If you take away faith, good works are not produced.  If you take away faith in Jesus, miracles, salvation, and eternal life are just a figment of your imagination.  Mary, the mother of Jesus trusted (had faith) that Jesus would do the right thing when the wine ran out at the wedding.  He did what he knew was right and performed a miracle.   Now, for the disciples, their faith began to expand, as this was the beginning of many more signs and miracles to come.

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

 

Time of Praise and Worship

Marvelous Light

Charlie Hall, © 2005 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Chris Tomlin, John Newton, Louie Giglio, ©2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)

Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown, ©2005 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

 

[Traditional Options]

Joy To The World

BH 75 88; BH 91 87; CH 270; CHH 143; EH 100; ELW 267; HWC 125; HPW 22; HFG 171; HLC 120; HGP 80; HSP 331; LBW 39; LSB 387; LW 53; NCH 132; PH 40; RH 118; RS 524; STTL 173; WC 146; UMH 246; WAR 179; WHM 135; WIS 172

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise                             

EH 135; ELW 310; LBW 90; LSB 394; LW 88; RS 529; WC 190; WAR 243 

Come, Join in Cana’s Feast

HS 98 817; LSB 408

Christ, The Word of God Incarnate

LSB 540

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme 

Pastor              Our worship begins today in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

ALL                  Amen!

  

Opening Prayer 

Pastor             Gracious and Loving God, we join together as one body in Christ, giving thanks for how you revealed yourself through teaching, acts of mercy, healing, the parables,                                and the miracles.    As you deepened the faith of the disciples through your ministry on this earth, deepen our faith in Jesus on a daily basis.   We trust in you and                                    know in the very depths of our hearts that you can change circumstances just as you did at the wedding long ago.               Increase our faith today as we hear your                                    word and act on it. 

ALL                  Having faith, we pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen. 

  

Time of Greeting 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

 

Pastor           Faithful and Loving God, you displayed your love and incredible care for us through Jesus.   He is a light that has come into the darkness of this world filled with sin                               and evil.  It is apparent that we choose darkness over the light and find ourselves putting more faith in things of the world rather than in Jesus.   We are sorry that we                             have turned away from you.  Break into our lives with your radiant beams of light and give us a fresh faith that will lead to good works and glorify your name.   We                                   trust in you Lord.

(A time of personal reflection and confession)

ALL               Lord God, we know what we have done and are sorry for our offenses.   We openly lay our sins before you and with a contrite heart, and                                         humbly ask you to forgive us.   We confess that we have not shown our faith in you even though you have promised to empower our witness.                                 We have lacked faith in Jesus when life is falling apart – thinking that we have control.  Help our faith grow and help us surrender our lives to                             your control, care, and power.

Pastor            Trust now what it says in the Word of God:   “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  As a                                called minister and servant of Christ, know without a doubt that your sins are forgiven.  In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Isaiah 62:1-5 

Isaiah, the prophet, had a great desire to see God’s will done and the mission of salvation completed.   For this reason, he persisted in prayer and had a rock solid faith.

 

1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch. 2 The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will give. 3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.