Description

Jeremiah 1:4-10 

God knows each of his children intimately. In our O.T. lesson for today, it says clearly in Jeremiah:

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” God knows us before birth and God knows our names. We can see that God knew Moses as an infant long before his commission and God knew Jeremiah before his birth. Since God knows us, He knows who to call for His mission and why a particular person is chosen. It makes perfect sense for God to match the person with the gifts he or she possesses in order to further the Kingdom and accomplish His work on earth.

 

… We Lift Our Hearts in Worship …

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.] 

Time of Praise and Worship

Our God

Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Jonas Myrin, & Matt Redman, ©2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Said And Done Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) SHOUT! Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) 

Build Your Kingdom Here

Rend Collective Experiment, ©2011 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

O Worship The King

Chris Tomlin, Johann Michael Haydn, & Robert Grant, ©2004 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

[Traditional Options]

Lord Jesus Christ Be Present Now

ELW 527; LBW 253; LSB 902; LW201; NCH 324

Great Is Thy Faithfulness        

BH 75 216; BH 91 54; CH 139; CHH 86; ELW 733; HS 98 889; HWC 43; HPW 14; HFG 98; HLC 37; HGP 12; LSB 809; NCH 423; PH 276; RH 8; STTL 44; WC 80; UMH 140; WOV 771; WAR 72; WHM 519; WIS 86

Word of God Come Down on Earth

EH 633; ELW 510; LSB 545; RS 653; UMH 182; WOV 716

  

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme 

Pastor              What a joy it is to be here together with the understanding that God knows each of our      names. 

People             Yes, the Lord whose name is above all other names knows each of us.

Pastor              Let us now worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

People             Our hearts are filled with joy and gladness.    Amen. 

  

Opening Prayer 

Pastor           Gracious God, You knew each us even before we were born. This shows how much you love each of us. Because of this love for your creation, you came into this world                             in the form of a human being. Since you lived with us, you were able to identify with us in our trials as well as our joys. We thank you for giving us a clearer picture of                             who you are through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through ordinary means, you gave us the experience of your extraordinary power. Through the words of Christ, our                               Savior, you made yourself known to us. We are eternally grateful.     

ALL                  In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

  

Time of Greeting 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness 

Pastor:             We now come before you in humility to confess our sins – the areas of our lives that get in the way of our relationship with you.

People:            We find ourselves stating one thing and doing another, not walking the talk.

                         We know there are areas of our lives that need to change, yet our desire to stay the same creates a barrier preventing change from happening. 

                         We know what Jesus taught and preached but we allow the loud voices from the world to get the best hearing. 

                         We know that God calls us to serve and use our gifts but we often do not listen.

                        We know that we are in the world to impact lives with the saving Word of Jesus Christ, yet we keep the message to ourselves.

                       We know that God has power to move mountains and work miracles but we lack faith and miss opportunities in front of us. 

                       We know that God knows us by name yet we do not heed His call when it is revealed in clear ways.

 

(silence for personal confession)

 

Pastor:             By Christ’s authority and power, your sins are forgiven. We now have reason to rejoice!

 

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Jeremiah 1:4-10 (17-19)

Jeremiah was called to be a prophet in the Southern Kingdom, yet he was reluctant and unsure as to whether he could fulfill the calling. God gave him strength and relieved his fears.

 

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

 

17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.