Description
Mary was just a young girl, but the Lord saw her fit to birth the King of the World. Pregnant with John the Baptist, Elizabeth felt a leap in her womb when she met with Mary. Mary glorified the Lord with singing proclaiming His goodness, mercy, and blessings. The Lord chooses the humble to accomplish great works.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of GreetingTime of Praise and Worship
Here Is Our King
David Crowder, ©2005 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sixsteps Music (EMI Christian Music Publishing)
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
Edmund Hamilton Sears | Richard Storrs Willis, ©Public Domain
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]
O Lord, How Shall I Meet You
ELW 241; LBW 23; LSB 334; LW 19; NCH 102; PH 11
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
BH 75 94; BH 91 1-6; CH 279; CHH 163; ELW 276; HS 98 812; HWC143; HFG 194; LBW 44; LSB 393; PH 37; RH 131; RS 509; STTL 186; WC 169; UMH 229; WAR 221; WHM 148
God Loved the World So That He Gave
BH75 445; ELW 323; LBW 292; LSB 571; LW 352; NCH 208
Invocation
Pastor The Lord opposes the proud, but to the humble, He gives grace. Today He calls us to choose humility over pride, selflessness over pleasure, and generosity instead of greed.
ALL We shed pride at the door and clothe ourselves with humility in the sight of the Lord.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor Great Father, we are your lowly servants. Jesus, the greatest of all, was the pinnacle of servanthood. May we follow His example of love and service, and run from Satan’s schemes.
ALL By the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, may we do it! Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor We confess that sin is easy and gratifies us instantly while the path of righteousness requires patience and humility.
ALL We confess that we fall short of the call to follow the Lord’s commands.
Pastor We proclaim that the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of our sins is our free gift of salvation, and we have accepted that gift.
ALL We proclaim that the blood of Jesus has washed our stains white as snow.
Pastor We ask for the renewal of our minds, the purifying of our hearts, and the help of the Holy Spirit to lead us.
ALL In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Micah 5:2-5a
Micah predicted that the smallest clan of Judah would produce the greatest ruler of all time- Jesus, the Messiah.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 5 And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses.
