Description
John 1:6-8, 19-28
The Pharisees questioned John the Baptist’s credentials. Why would he baptize if he wasn’t the Messiah, Elijah, or the Prophet? But John’s responsibility to emerge from the wilderness and prepare the way for Jesus, the Light, was prophesied years ago in Isaiah. His baptism was one of water and repentance, but Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit bringing light to this dark world.
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
Here I Am To Worship
Tim Hughes, ©2001 Kingsway’s Thankyou Music
O Come All Ye Faithful
David Moffitt, Sue Smith, Travis Cottrell, ©2006 New Spring, a division of Zomba Enterprises, Inc. / CCTB Music (ASCAP) (both administered by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing).
[Traditional Options]
Let Our Gladness Have No End
ELW 291; LBW 57; LSB 381; LW 69
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 God, O Lord of Heaven and Earth
LW 396; LSB 834; LW 319
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!
Worshipers
We rejoice always and pray continually. We give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, You sent John the Baptist from the wilderness to prepare the way for Jesus. You sent Jesus to earth to light the path in our wilderness. Where there is darkness, You are light. Where there is despair, You bring joy. We are honored to be in Your presence, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Humbly we praise You today.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
We look to the left, to the right, and all around us to find the answers to our questions.
Worshipers
We search high and low to find something to fill our emptiness.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We grow impatient, untrusting, bitter, and afraid as we seek satisfaction within ourselves.
Worshipers
Of these sins, we confess.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord Jesus, we cannot find the answers to our deepest questions from a university, degree, or job.
Worshipers
We cannot find abundant life in all that we chase on this earth.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We cannot find anything good from within ourselves. Only You, God, are good. Only You, God, are holy. Only You, God, can fill us with Your mighty Spirit.
Worshipers
Only You can satisfy, fulfill, quench, forgive, and love us unconditionally, for You alone are Creator God, holy and true.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
Forgive us, Father, for our sins. Forgive us for looking everywhere else but to You. Forgive us, Lord.
Worshipers
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
The Messiah would be anointed by the Spirit of the Lord to bring Good News to the poor. He would bring comfort to a hurting people, healing to the brokenhearted, joy and praise in the midst of mourning and despair, and salvation.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” 10 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.
