Description
Luke 2:40-52
After searching for days for their young son, Jesus, Mary and Joseph find Him in Jerusalem sitting amongst teachers and asking them questions. Mary was astonished at her son’s behavior, but Jesus asked, “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Like Mary and Joseph, our search has ended because Jesus is the only way to God. But we don’t often find Him in the expected places. We find Him eating with sinners, washing his disciples’ dirty feet, or in the company of the very teachers of the law who would turn against Him one day. But wherever we find Jesus, we are led to God.
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
Let Us Adore
Reuben Morgan, ©2005 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Your Great Name
Krissy Nordhoff & Michael Neale, ©2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music | TwoNords Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
Jesus is Here
Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt, Bede Benjamin-Korporaal, ©2018 Brentwood-Benson Music, Capitol Christian Music
[Traditional Options]
O Blest The House, Whate’er Befall
LBW 512; LSB 862; LW 467
Once in Royal David’s City
CH 286; CHH 165; EH 102; ELW 269; HWC 155; HLC 109; LBW 376; LSB 376; LW 58; NCH 145; PH 49; RS 526; STTL 170; WC 161; UMH 250; WOV 643; WAR 183
From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
CH 146; EH 80; ELW 268; HLC 111; LBW 51; LSB 358; LW 37; NCH 130; PH 54
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Long ago, God planned the details of our lives, this very moment, this very hour, to the minute. He missed no details. He knew that come up missing, flawed by sin, in need of saving grace.
Worshipers
Then the Word became flesh and made His dwelling amongst us. He grew in stature and had favor with God and men.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Today we worship the Word of God. We cast down all strongholds in the name of Jesus, and we lift up the Son of God and give Him all the honor, glory, and praise.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
God of all time, Your Word became flesh and walked among us. We give you praise and thanksgiving. No longer must we search to be filled- You fill us with Your Holy Spirit.
Worshipers
Receive our gratitude and awe for all that You have done through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Oh Lord God, You are the forgiver of our sins.
Worshipers
Out of the fullness of Christ we receive Your grace.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We break so many commandments and laws. We neglect the greatest commandment, which is to love You with all that we are and all that we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Worshipers
And yet You extend Your grace and truth and love to us. We accept Your gift of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. We turn from our wicked ways and seek Your Spirit’s guidance and help to follow You.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 1 Kings 3:4-15
In a dream, the Lord promised King Solomon wealth and honor because of his request for discernment in administering justice instead of selfish gains. After waking up, King Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord.
4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
