Description
Luke 4:14-21
We as human beings have a hard time with change, especially when it comes to change in ourselves. There are many factors that make up who we are: Race, gender, cultural background, environment, family background, spiritual background, genetics, personality traits, etc. When faced with the desire and need to change, we need help. Jesus came into the world as God in human flesh to proclaim a message that can change anyone—even those with the hardest of hearts.
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
You You Are God
Walker Beach, ©2003 Gateway Create Publishing (Admin by Integrity’s Praise! Music)
Arise
Don Moen & Paul Baloche, ©2003 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Redeemed
Benji Cowart & Michael Weaver, ©2011 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) Weave Country (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) HowieCowie Publishing (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
ELW 533; LBW 250; LSB 901; LW 198, NCH 67; PH 489
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
ELW 767; LBW 333; LSB 722; LW 512
Come, Your Hearts And Voices Raising
LSB 375; LW 48
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We come together to worship God, the Father, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
ALL We come together to embrace Jesus who fulfilled the Word of God.
Pastor We come together in the power of the Holy Spirit—our advocate for change.
ALL We come together knowing and believing that there is always hope! Amen.
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and loving God, We are so glad to be here today because we need the inspiration and wisdom of your Word to convict us, soften our hearts, and prepare us to make changes in our lives. Through your son, Jesus Christ, you have given us not only a savior, but a “change-agent” like no other. He was anointed to preach the gospel to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, recover sight to the blind, and free those who are oppressed. We need make changes in our lives. Lord, open our hearts and minds to receive the gospel.
ALL In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor Almighty and everlasting God, you are continually speaking to us through your Word, yet we find ourselves with a “status quo” mentality. We know that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves from its grips on our own. You sent Jesus to proclaim the gospel of change and when he returned to heaven, he left us with His Spirit, that power that can release us from sin’s hold on us. Give us the desire to change and the strength to make changes happen. Help us to take a look in the mirror at this very moment and take inventory of ourselves.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
All Father, we confess to you that we operate so much of the time with hard hearts and cluttered minds. We have been self-centered and comfortable with who we are. We are used to the way things are and find ourselves allowing the world to take our attention away from you. Our attitudes and belief system have become tainted by the world. We ask for your forgiveness. Bring wisdom to our minds and soften our hearts so that we can receive your Word and be ripe for change.
Pastor People of God, the Word is clear. When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, the Lord keeps His promises and reconciles through the blood of Jesus Christ. We are washed clean and made new. The Lord loves you and accepts you. You are set free from the grips of your sin. You are forgiven! Thanks and praise to God!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Nehemiah was very aware of the brokenness among the people in Jerusalem when he arrived. For this reason, he gathers the people together to hear God’s Word communicated through Ezra with the hope that lives would be changed.
1 All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. 2 Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law…5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground…8 So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
