Description
Luke 7:18-35
In the Gospel of Luke, a curious question is asked. John the Baptist, who recognized Jesus even in the womb, and now in jail, sends his followers to ask Jesus if he is the one. Jesus sends to John a report of miracles and good news proclaimed. Jesus then confirms to the crowd that John is the one prophesied to prepare the way for the Lord. He states that no one is greater than John, yet still, the one who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke then records that those who were baptized by John believed, but those who weren’t baptized didn’t believe.
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
Trust in God
Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Mitch Wong | Steven Furtick, © Brandon Lake Music; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing; A Wong Made Write Publishing; Integrity’s Praise! Music
*Come, Now Is The Time To Worship partnered with O Come, All Ye Faithful
Brian Doerksen, ©1998 Vineyard Songs
Angels We Have Heard On High
Edward Shippen Barnes & James Chadwick, ©Public Domain
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com
[Traditional Options]
Hark! A Thrilling Voice Is Sounding
EH 59; ELW 246; LBW 37; LSB 345; LW 18
Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
EH 68; ELW 244; HS 98 801; LBW 25; LSB 515; PH 15
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
BH 75 31; BH 91 7; CH 90.271; CHH 2; EH 376; ELW 836; HWC 1; HPW 10; HFG 377; HLC 25; HGP 14; LBW 551; LSB 803; NCH 4; PH 464; RH 4; RS 669; STTL 174; WC 20; UMH 89; WAR 59; WHM 36; WIS 2
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
God comes! So don’t let go of all the reasons to rejoice.
Worshipers
We will sing a song of Advent to the One who fills our lives with joy.
Pastor / Worship Leader
God comes! So don’t stop lifting your prayers with thanksgiving.
Worshipers
We will sing a song of Advent, to the One who hears our words and silence.
Pastor / Worship Leader
God comes! So don’t stop giving your hearts to God.
Worshipers
We will sing a song of Advent to the One who graces us with a peace we cannot begin to understand.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Holy God, we long for your peace, and trust in your promise; we hear your call to turn toward you,
to change our lives and welcome you in. Meet us here and fill our minds with your wisdom and our hearts with your peace, that our worship together may open us to the challenge of your dream of wholeness for all. God of mystery, just as the crowds wondered about Jesus, we too, wonder about you. Who are you to us? Are you the one? Show us that you are God, mysterious, wonderful, mighty. Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Merciful God, Have mercy on our souls, according to your unwavering love.
Worshipers
According to your abundant mercy wipe away our sins and the guilt we have carried for so long.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Instead write on our hearts your love Your boundaries for our lives.
Worshipers
Your salvation that sets us free from our sins. To live the abundant life, you have for each of us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord we would see Jesus, we would love Jesus, We would follow Jesus, We would serve Jesus.
Worshipers
Lord, create in us clean hearts, Renew your spirit within us. Do not turn us away from your presence, do not take your holy spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain in us a willing spirit.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Write on our hearts, your love O God.
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Zephaniah 3:14-20
The prophet Zephaniah (probably a contemporary of Jeremiah) has been prophesying on the judgement of the Israelites, in both the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel. But here, near the end, he predicts the coming day of the Lord. Be glad and rejoice! God is with you! He will deal with the oppressors. He will rescue the exiled. The Lord will bring them home and give them honor.
Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 18 “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. 19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time, I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.
