Description
Luke 2:22-40
Simeon could hardly believe his eyes. A promise from God came true as he beheld the young Jesus in the temple courts. An elderly prophet named Anna also joined in confirming that Jesus was the Sent One by faithful God. Both Simeon and Anna witnessed the arrival of Jesus the Christ, who was sent to break down barriers between God and man. His presence brought them hope, filled them with joy, and brought peace to the world at the perfect time.
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
This Is Our God with chorus of What Child is This?
David Moffitt, Sue C. Smith, & Travis Cottrell, ©2006 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) CCTB Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Cool Springs Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) First Hand Revelation Music (Admin. by The Loving Company) // William C. Dix, ©Public Domain
Jesus
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, © 2016 Alletrop Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
King of Heaven
Jason Ingram & Paul Baloche, ©2010 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing
(IMI)) Leadworship Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI)) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing
(Admin. By Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) Windsor Hill
Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
[Traditional Options]
Angels From the Realms
BH 75 87; BH 91 94; CH 259; CHH 149; EH 93; ELW 275; HWC 131; HFG 190; HLC 110; HGP 62; HSP 333; LBW 50; LSB 367; LW 50; NCH 126; PH 22; RH 135; RS 508; STTL 192; WC 174; UMH 220; WAR 189; WHM 155; WIS 163
O Word of God Incarnate
BH 75 140; CH 414; CHH 322; EH 632; ELW 514; HWC 269; HLC 219; HSP 111; LBW 231; LSB 523; LW 335; NCH 315; PH 327; RH 229; WC 310; UMH 598; WAR 670; WIS 91
Away In A Manger
BH 75 80; BH 91 103; CH 261,262; CHH 147; EH 101; ELW 277,278; HWC 157,158; HFG 185,187; HLC 112; HGP 74; HSP 337; LBW 67; LSB 364,365; LW 64; NCH 124; PH 25; RH 125,126; RH 126; RS 515; STTL 176,178; WC 147,149; UMH 217; WOV 644; WAR 203,205; WHM 128,129; WIS 168
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ!
Worshipers
We gather together in the presence of our Lord.
Pastor / Worship Leader
May the Spirit be in our midst today!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father in Heaven, we join our voices and shout, alleluia!
Worshipers
Alleluia to the King Eternal! He reigns in Heaven and on earth. He is above it all, knows all, sees all, and His timing is perfect.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
We say, Yes!
Worshipers
We say yes and amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father God, even though you provide for Your children, we are left wanting more.
Worshipers
Our selfish desires lead us astray. We are distracted by the things of this world.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We are ungrateful people, coveting and comparing, and falling into the trap of this fast-paced culture.
Worshipers
You beckon us to trust You and Your perfect timing, but we grow impatient and seek our own way, our own idols, and our own paths. We are so sorry.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We ask for Your forgiveness.
Worshipers
We confess that we are wrong. Forgive us, Father, for we have sinned.
Pastor / Worship Leader
By Your grace, we have been forgiven through our Savior Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead in three days. We have been grafted into the vine of our Father. We have been adopted as sons and daughters into the Kingdom Family of God.
Worshipers
We thank You, Lord God, for your love and forgiveness. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 61:10-62:3
The Lord saw the desolation of His people and promised to replace it with delight. Only God commands the destiny of His people.
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. 2 The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. 3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
