Description
Luke 3:1-6
John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus to come by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. His coming was prophesied several hundred years before by the prophet Isaiah. Soon the people would meet Jesus, God’s salvation for the world.
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
Prepare The Way
Jared Anderson, ©2004 Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
Prepare Ye The Way
Michael W. Smith, ©2008 Smittyfly Music (Admin. by Word Music Group, Inc.) Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)
Chase Jenkins, Dan Hamilton, Robbie Seay, Ryan Owens, Taylor Johnson, Tedd Tjornhom, ©2007 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) Meaux Hits (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Tedasia Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
BH 75 78; BH 91 76; CH 245; CHH 119; EH 56; ELW 257; HWC 123; HFG 169; HLC 100; HGP 73; LBW 34; LSB 357; LW 31; NCH 116; PH 9; RH 117; RS 493; STTL 163; WC 133; UMH 211; WAR 154; WHM 120; WIS 171
What Hope! An Eden Prophesied
LSB 342
Prepare the Royal Highway
ELW 264; LBW 26; LSB 343; LW 27
Invocation
Pastor Come and hear all the Lord has done!
ALL We are here and eager to know.
Pastor He sent John the Baptist to prepare the way for the Lord.
ALL He has sent His Son to save the world.
Pastor Jesus, the Messiah, has come and will come again.
ALL Hallelujah to the King! Until He returns we will be purified with His fire. We will reflect the love of our Savior.
Pastor Amen.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor O Great King of Kings, we are amazed by You. How can you love us? How can you desire us to be Your Kingdom inheritance? We are wretched sinners, yet You purify us with Your refining fire. Fill us with righteousness. Teach us Your perfect ways. We are eager to be more like You.
ALL In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Forgiving God, we bow before Your mercy seat with hearts humbled because You deserve all the glory. You have the power to judge and to save, to cast out and grant grace, and to cover our sins with the precious blood of Jesus.
ALL Lord, where we cherish sin in our hearts, rid us of wickedness and evil! Where harbor darkness shine your piercing light. We need You now.
Pastor Forgive us, Lord Jesus. You alone have the power to wash us white as snow and remember our sins no more.
ALL Grant us the strength and grace to turn away from sin and walk in righteousness with You all the days of our lives.
Pastor By the blood of Jesus we are forgiven and free!
ALL Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Malachi 3:1-4
Malachi prophesied of the coming messenger who would be like a refining fire, purifying the Levites. This messenger was Jesus.
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.
