Description

Luke 4:16-30

As was His custom, Jesus traveled to Nazareth to the synagogue and read the prophet Isaiah’s words aloud. Jesus proclaimed that He would fulfill the prophecy.  At first, many were amazed, but their attitudes quickly darkened to rage and violence when they realized that God’s borders of salvation extended beyond themselves and included outsiders, which is something they could not readily accept.  Do you easily embrace that God’s love is for the unlovable and rejected, or do you hesitate to extend His love beyond your comfortable borders?

  

…  We Lift Our Hearts in Worship  … 

[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]

 

Welcome & Time of Greeting

  

Time of Praise and Worship

Indescribable

Laura Story, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Gleaning Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Paul Baloche, ©1997 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

Great Are You Lord

David Leonard, Jason Ingram, Leslie Jordan, © 2012 Integrity’s Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Integrity’s Praise! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (IMI)) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes

(Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)

 

[Traditional Options]

Hark! The Glad Sound

EH 71; ELW 239; LBW 317; RS 619

God, Whose Almighty Word                           

BH 75 303; EH 371; ELW 673; LBW 400; LW 317; RS 619

Once He Came In Blessing

EH 53; LBW 312; LSB 333; LW 30

  

Invocation  

Pastor                 Welcome!  I pray that you feel the love of the Lord as you walk through these doors.  I hope that His presence is like refreshing water to your souls.  May the                                         Spirit move freely in this place today.        

ALL                  Holy Spirit, you are welcome in this place and in our lives.   

 

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

   Pastor/Worship Leader speaks

 

Pastor             v  Lord, we seek the abundance of Your life-giving blessings, and not for ourselves, but  those who are far from you, that they may see Your light, Your glory, and                                  Your beauty  through us as representations of Your Kingdom.  We are but your vessels; empty us of ourselves and fill us with Your Spirit. 

ALL                  Amen!

 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor               Father, we tend to fill ourselves with the pleasures that this world has to offer.  We have

                          learned from wise men in Scripture, like King Solomon, that the treasures of this world

                          are fleeting and temporary, yet we forget and try to satisfy our souls with human

                          promises.

 

ALL                 Forgive us, Lord.

Pastor               Oh how our souls yearn for true life!  We are thirsty and hungry, and our flesh is tempted

                            so often.  Give us the strength to overcome by the blood of the Lamb! 

ALL                  Forgive us, Lord.  Give us strength! 

Pastor               You forgive us by Your great love. 

ALL                  We are forgiven through Jesus Christ and His selfless sacrifice on the cross.  He

                          bore our iniquities and by His stripes we are healed.

Pastor               Thank you! Thank you for your forgiving grace now and forevermore,  

ALL                  Amen.

 

…  We Hear God’s Word  …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                                  Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

As Ezra opened the Book of the Law and read it aloud in front of the assembly, the people rose in respect and honor of God’s Word.  But it didn’t take them long before they were on their faces weeping and worshipping the Lord as they understood what was being read. 

 

1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. 5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”