Description
Mark 1:1-8
In the midst of our struggle, God completes His promises as He did when John the Baptist fulfilled the prophecy in the book of Isaiah. Sent to prepare the way, John at the Jordan preached a sobering message of repentance while prophesying of the coming Messiah. Jesus, who interrupted the people’s struggles to bring Good News, baptized with the Holy Spirit, empowering the disciples for ministry.
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
*Come, Now Is The Time To Worship partnered with O Come, All Ye Faithful
Brian Doerksen, ©1998 Vineyard Songs
*adapt text to “gladly serve You now…”
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)
Flawless
Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Ben Glover, David Garcia, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer, Solomon Olds, © 2014 D Soul Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) 9t One Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Ariose Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Soul Glow Activator Music (Admin. by Moon & Musky Music) MercyMe Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Wet As A Fish Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
[Traditional Options]
Prepare the Royal Highway
ELW 264; LBW 26; LSB 343; LW 27
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
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
We call upon the name of the Lord, the God of this Universe, and the Creator of all things.
Worshipers
We call upon Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We call upon the Spirit who empowers us to do His work.
Worshipers
Be strong in our midst, today, Lord!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we ask and we pray and we seek Your face, but not by our own doing. It’s only through Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life that we have access to the throne. Would You fill this place as we worship? Would You allow us to sense Your presence as we pray? In our weaknesses, in our struggles, may You weave Your Good News throughout our lives.
Worshipers
We want to reflect You to this suffering world. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Gracious and forgiving Lord, we humbly approach Your throne of grace with a burden in our arms. We’ve carried this burden for far too long, struggling along the way and we need to confess.
Worshipers
So, we confess our sins before You now, our shame, guilt, fear, pride, anger, and lust. Rid us of envy, strife, gossip, and sexual sins. Wipe out the evil we harbor and replace it with the fruits of Your Holy Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Most of all, fill our hearts with love for You and for our neighbors.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
The Good News is that we have been forgiven and set free by Jesus Christ. We accept Your forgiveness and ask for boldness to forgive others as we’ve been forgiven.
Worshipers
In Christ’s name we pray, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 40:1-11
The Israelites were promised one who would be coming to prepare the way for the Messiah. This promise brought comfort to the Israelites who were in the midst of struggle.
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” 9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arm and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those
