Description
John 1:1-18
The Apostle John, with full intention, starts his Gospel with the same words that start Genesis- In the beginning. He describes Jesus as the “word” (Greek- Logos). He states emphatically that Jesus was with God, is God and that all things were made through him. He writes of John the Baptist being sent as a witness. He then refers to Jesus as the light who has come into the world. He is not recognized by all or accepted even by his own; but all those who do receive him become children of 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
Light of the World
Lauren Daigle, Paul Duncan, & Paul Mabury, © 2014 CentricSongs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Flychild Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Annie and Clyde Music
O Come All Ye Faithful (with We Adore You)
John F. Wade, Public Domain; Paul Baloche & Tim Janis, ©2005 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI)) Cranberry Island Publishing (Admin. by Unaffiliated Admin (UA))
Born is the King (It’s Christmas)
Matt Crocker & Scott Ligertwood, ©2011 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
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
Come, Your Hearts And Voices Raising
LSB 375; LW 48
O Come, All Ye Faithful
BH 75 81; BH 91 89; CH 249; CHH 148; EH 83; ELW 283; HWC 145; HPW 20; HFG 193; HLC 103; HGP 78; HSP 332; LBW 45; LSB 379; LW 41; NCH 135; PH 41; RH 133; RS 499; STTL 175; WC 173; UMH 234; WAR 182; WHM 133; WIS 178
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Hear the good news of the psalmist’s proclamation.
Worshipers
If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to God, and the night is as bright as the day.
Pastor / Worship Leader
The God who promised never to leave us or forsake us has come to us in Jesus Christ
Worshipers
Who binds up the brokenhearted, heals all our infirmities, and relieves our burden of sin.
Pastor / Worship Leader
So, arise, shine; for your light has come!
Worshipers
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Thanks be to God!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Holy God of Love, there is light in our lives because of the abundance of your steadfast love.
A love so vast, so deep, so real, that you became one of us. May we live within the power of this love.
And may we share its light with a world where too many dwell in darkness. Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
O God, you search us out and know us, and all that we are is open to you. We confess that we have sinned.
Worshipers
In your mercy, Lord, forgive us and heal us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Loving God, we confess our sins against you and one another
Worshipers
And pray that you will fill us with your light, that we may live our lives as true disciples in your name, without counting the cost.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Merciful God, we recognize all the times, in our actions or in our inactions, find our own need for control more compelling than the needs of others.
Worshipers
We know that You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Pastor / Worship Leader
O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Word Become Flesh, our Savior and King, hear us as we humbly pray,
Worshipers
Amen
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 52:7-10
The Prophet Isaiah prophesies of the Lord returning to Zion. He will comfort his people and redeem Jerusalem. The people should sing! All the earth will see salvation. It is beautiful; but Isaiah will soon after this proclamation of the coming of the Lord prophecy of the suffering servant, showing exactly what the Lord will do to save his people.
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. 9 Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
