Description
Luke 2:22-40
Joseph and Mary traveled to Jerusalem to consecrate Jesus as required by the Law of Moses. When they got to Jerusalem, a devout man named Simeon was moved by the Spirit to meet young Jesus. An elderly prophet named Anna also met Jesus. Both rejoiced and recognized that Jesus was the Messiah. Simeon held onto the promise he received that he would one day meet God’s Messiah, and Anna in her old age got to meet Jesus face to face. Age doesn’t matter to God. He watches for the faithful, the ones clothed with humility, and those who are fully devoted to Him.
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
Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)
Chris Tomlin | Ed Cash | George Frederic Handel | Isaac Watts | Matt Gilder, © worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Vamos Publishing | Alletrop Music | Ryan House Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) | (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
O, Come, All Ye Faithful
John Francis Wade, ©several publishers
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Charles Wesley & Felix Mendelssohn, ©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 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
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 Welcome to the last Sunday of 2018. Time seems to pass us by so quickly, but could it be that we busy ourselves too much and forget to consecrate ourselves to the Lord? Today, let’s slow down our pace and acknowledge that God isn’t limited by our time constraints or our busy schedules. He desires our whole hearts, so let’s give ourselves to Him.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Let us pray.
ALL Holy Father, we consecrate ourselves to you as living sacrifices. Slow our minds,
steady our hearts, and clothe us with compassion, kindness, humility, and peace.
We are your vessels, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor During this time, clear your conscience before the Lord. Confess your sins to the Father
who is just and faithful to forgive you of your sins because of the sacrifice that Jesus
Christ made on the cross. Don’t be afraid; the Father loves you and calls you to Him.
Would you listen? Would you come?
(Allow for a few minutes of silent prayer and confession to the Lord.)
Pastor Thank you, Jesus, for your love. Thank you for your forgiveness so that we may have
freedom from sin. You are so good to us. We love you, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Exodus 13:1-3a, 11-15
The Lord commanded Moses to consecrate every firstborn male, whether human or animal.
The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.” 3 Then Moses said to the people, “Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery, because the Lord brought you out of it with a mighty hand. Eat nothing containing yeast. 11 “After the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your ancestors, 12 you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons. 14 “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’
