Description
Luke 3:1-20
Luke chronicles the calling of John the Baptist who preached a baptism of repentance for sins and the good news of salvation. Luke quotes from the Prophet Isaiah that John is the one who is the voice calling from the wilderness and preparing the way for the Lord. John’s message is harsh; he warns of the wrath of God. The crowds, tax collectors and soldiers all ask what they should do. Some wonder if John might be the Messiah. Eventually, when rebuking Herod, John is put in prison.
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
Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
J. Wilbur Chapman, Mark Hall, & Michael Bleecker, © 2009 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) My Refuge Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
Jesus Son of God
Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, & Matt Maher, ©2012 Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), A Thousand Generations Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC), Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Charles Wesley, Jacob Sooter, Meredith Andrews, Rowland Hugh Prichard, © 2017 Jacob Sooter Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Not Just Another Song Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Vertical Church Band Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.) Mesmerized Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.)
[Traditional Options]
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
EH 65; ELW 249; LBW 36; LSB 344; LW 14; NCH 115; PH 10; RS 490; WC 136; WAR 156
Prepare the Royal Highway
ELW 264; LBW 26; LSB 343; LW 27
The Advent of Our King
LBW 22; LSB 331; LW 12
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
The Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Worshipers
In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Worshipers
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Pastor / Worship Leader
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
Worshipers
Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. With your mighty arm, you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, With joy and awe we praise you for claiming us as your sons and daughters, and for pouring your Holy Spirit upon us. Help us to prepare this earth for your glory, and shine your light on all your faithful children, for the sake of the one whose birth and baptism brought renewal and transformation to this world, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
We confess that we have forgotten your miracles, your promises. We have trusted in ourselves first.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that we do not seek you.
Worshipers
We confess that we do not keep our eyes, our hearts, and minds on You Jesus. We confess that we forget that you sit at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, even now.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess that our focus is on our earthly circumstances instead of eternity. 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. We pray for Your mercy and grace. It is only by your mercy and grace, Lord that we can repent. Help us Lord to repent.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord do not forsake us; do not be far from us, our God. Come quickly to help us, our Lord and Savior.
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Malachi 3:1-7b
Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament, and it proceeds essentially 400 years of silence- and waiting. The prophet Malachi prophesies of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord. Malachi describes the One who will come as a refiner, a purifier. He will put the Israelites on trial and testify against the idolaters and oppressors, the ones who have turned away. But as always, a promise- Return to me and I will return to you.
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. 5 “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty. 6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
