Description
John 1:1-18
The Apostle John makes it clear that Jesus is God and that through Him all things were made. Jesus is the light that came and dwelled among us. The Word became flesh. John the Baptist, as prophesied, came as a witness to testify of Jesus. John states that the Baptist was not the light himself. And all who receive Jesus will 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
Let Us Adore
Reuben Morgan, ©2005 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
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))
Go, Tell It On The Mountain
John W Work, Jr, ©Public Domain
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com
[Traditional Options]
Joy To The World
BH 75 88; BH 91 87; CH 270; CHH 143; EH 100; ELW 267; HWC 125; HPW 22; HFG 171; HLC 120; HGP 80; HSP 331; LBW 39; LSB 387; LW 53; NCH 132; PH 40; RH 118; RS 524; STTL 173; WC 146; UMH 246; WAR 179; WHM 135; WIS 172
Praise to You, and Adoration
LSB 692
What Child Is This
BH 91 118; CH 281; CHH 162; EH 115; ELW 296; HWC 137; HFG 180; HLC 105; HGP 77; LBW 40; LSB 370; LW 61; NCH 148; PH 53; RH 143; RS 530; STTL 179; WC 150; UMH 219; WAR 184; WHM 140; WIS 164
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Worshipers
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Worshipers
Praise awaits you, our God; to you our vows will be fulfilled. You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple. You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds, God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth.
Worshipers
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In the Name of Jesus, Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, we declare today and every day that You are God! You are our Savior. You are Immanuel, God with us. You stepped out of Heaven and took on flesh. We thank you Lord for your creation, your plan for salvation, your sacrifice. You are the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus, you are the only way to the Father. You are the light who came into this world of darkness. You are full of grace and truth. Lord, we love you, we seek you. Help us to keep our eyes on you Jesus, seated at the right hand of the Father. We worship you God.. We pray in Your Holy Name. Amen.
Worshipers
Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, we confess.
Worshipers
Lord we have betrayed you by following our own way.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Most Holy and Merciful Father, we confess our sins.
Worshipers
We confess to you and to one another, that we have sinned against you by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father; And free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior.
Worshipers
Holy God, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us for the sake of your Son,
who died to free us from our sins.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen!
Worshipers
Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 52:7-10
Isaiah prophecies of a glorious time of peace and salvation. He speaks of the return of the Lord with shouts and songs of joy. His people are comforted and redeemed. All will see the salvation of God.
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.
