Description
Luke 3:7-18
John the Baptizer baptized people with water all the while proclaiming that One greater than him would follow baptizing them with the Holy Spirit and fire. With fervency, John continued preaching this urgent message. He was unashamed of the coming Messiah, unpopular with the religious leaders, and unapologetically courageous. How fearless are you when sharing the Gospel with others? Let’s take lessons from John the Baptist and fervently live on fire for Jesus!
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
For Unto Us a Child Is Born / Open The Eyes of My Heart
George Frideric Handel, Michael Rossback, Paul Baloche © Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Integrity Music) Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music) Michael Rossback Music (Admin. by Integrity Music)
Joy to the World (Our God Saves)
Isaac Watts | GF Handel | Michael Rossback | Paul Baloche | Brenton Brown, Joy To The World © 2015 Integrity Worship Music/Leadworship Songs (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing); Our God Saves © 2007 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music/Leadworship Songs, Thankyou Music/PRS (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
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]
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
Once in Royal David’s City
CH 286; CHH 165; EH 102; ELW 269; HWC 155; HLC 109; LBW 376; LSB 376; LW 58; NCH 145; PH 49; RS 526; STTL 170; WC 161; UMH 250; WOV 643; WAR 183
Let Our Gladness Have No End
ELW 291; LBW 57; LSB 381; LW 69
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
As the Psalmist wrote, “Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.”
Worshipers
Revive us, and we will call on your name.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Are you the Messiah? Are you the One?
Worshipers
He is Christ the Messiah! Jesus is the One!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord Jesus, for hundreds of years Your people longed for You to come and bring salvation. Faithfully you came and rescued us from sin and brought salvation through the cross. Today we wait in hope and anticipation for You to return and rescue us once more. We cannot wait to be physically in Your presence, to taste the goodness of Heaven, and to join with the thousands of voices in worship of Holy God. Today, we join our praises on earth with the heavenly voices and worship Your name.
Worshipers
You deserve all of our worship, and it is our desire to bring You glory. Accept our praises, Lord. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Hear us, Lord.
Worshipers
We are Your children, but often we sin. We need more of You and less of us.
Pastor / Worship Leader
You lead us like a shepherd leads his flock, but sometimes we don’t follow You obediently. Instead we run away, disobey, and turn away from Your goodness.
Worshipers
Forgive us, Lord. Please, we ask!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Awaken us, come save us!
Worshipers
Only through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross are we forgiven. It’s not our own doing, but completely and totally through Jesus. We thank You, Father, for loving us enough to forgive us as sinners, call us Your children, and invite us into Your Kingdom. Hallelujah! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Zephaniah 3:14-20
The Lord would remove His hand of judgment and come to live among His people. Gladness results when God is with us when we obey and follow Him.
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.
