Description
Matthew 11:2-15
John the Baptist, in prison and facing death, asks if Jesus is the one who is to come. This is not exactly what he expected. Jesus states that miracles are being performed and the good news is being proclaimed. Jesus quotes from the prophet Malachi and says that John was the one prophesied to prepare the way of the Lord.
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
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
John Mason Neale & Henry Sloane Coffin, ©several publishers
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com
The First Noel
Traditional Carol, ©Public Domain
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear / Glorious
Edmund Sears, Richard Willis, Paul Baloche, Brenton Brown, © 2015 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear arr. Integrity Worship Music, Leadworship Songs & Integrity Worship Music, Leadworship Songs, Thankyou Music.
[Traditional Options]
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
BH 75 79; BH 91 77; CH 244; CHH 125; EH 66; ELW 254; HWC 124; HFG 168; HLC 102; LBW 30; LSB 338; LW 22; NCH 122; PH 1,2; RH 115; RS 496; STTL 157; WC 135; UMH 196; WAR 153; WHM 121; WIS 181
When All The World Was Cursed
LSB 346; LW 187
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
CHH 140; EH 616; ELW 311; LBW 87; LSB 398; LW 82; NCH 104; UMH 203
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds, rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
Worshipers
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Your procession, God, has come into view, the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
Worshipers
Praise God in the congregation; praise the Lord in the assembly. Summon your power, God
show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over us, whose power is in the heavens.
Worshipers
You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, Oh what a glorious day that will be when you return. The blind will see, the deaf will hear. The redeemed will sing and celebrate, we will have everlasting joy and gladness. Because of you Jesus, we have everlasting life. Because of you Jesus, we will live in Heaven for all eternity. We’re thankful that you have given us eyes to see and ears to hear. We are thankful, that even as we wait for that glorious day, that even in our sufferings and trials, and in our doubts, that you have given us perseverance. You have blessed us with faith. You are compassionate and merciful Lord. We pray in your Holy Name. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
We confess that sometimes we doubt, that sometimes we question you. We confess that sometimes our faith is not what it should be.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that during trials and suffering we struggle with worship; with prayer and the things you have called us to do.
Worshipers
We confess that doubt creeps in, because we do not keep our eyes, our hearts, and minds focused on You Jesus.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that our focus is more on the world than it is on your Kingdom, more on ourselves than on You. We confess and repent of our ways Lord, ways that do not include you first in our lives.
Worshipers
Forgive us Lord for our sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Have mercy on me Lord, a sinner.
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 35:1-10
Isaiah prophecies the day of the redeemed when the ransomed will return. A day of rejoicing and celebration, singing and joy. We will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of God. Isaiah says we are to be strong and not fear, for God is coming to save.
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9 No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there,10 and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will
