Description
John 2:1-11
You cannot profess to be a Christian unless you have faith. It is required, and without it, we have no hope and the promises of God have no validity. Faith is directly connected to miracles and is a prerequisite for believing in miracles. All the miracles in the book of John including the miracle in our gospel point to faith before the miracle is performed. Even acknowledging or identifying a happening as a miracle requires a willingness to believe. Look around every day and you will see miracles. Do you believe it?
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
O, Come, All Ye Faithful
John Francis Wade, ©several publishers
Available on www.PraiseCharts.com, www.LifewayWorship.com, www.MusicNotes.com
Waiting Here for You
Chris Tomlin, Martin Smith, & Jesse Reeves, ©2011 sixsteps Music / worshiptogether.com Songs / Vamos Publishing (Admin. at EMICMGPublishing.com) (ASCAP) / Curious? Music UK (PRS) (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Open Up the Heavens
Andi Rozier, James McDonald, Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, & Stuart Garrard, ©2012 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.) HBC Worship Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Stugio Music Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Built on the Rock the Church Doth Stand
BH 75 235; BH 91 351; CHH 273; ELW 652; HFG 555; HLC 201; LBW 365; LSB 645; LW 291; WC 705; WAR 546; WHM 340
The Star Proclaims the King Is Here
LSB 399
I Know My Faith Is Founded
LSB 587; LW 354
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We are here in this moment to worship in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Gracious and Loving God, our faith has brought us here today and we believe that you reveal yourself in many and various ways. We have gathered today as one body in Christ, giving thanks for how you revealed yourself through teaching, acts of mercy, healing, the parables, and the miracles. As Jesus performed a miracle by turning the water into wine, we know that miracles continue to happen today. We trust in you and know in the very depths of our hearts that you can change circumstances just as you did at the wedding long ago. Bolster our faith today as we reflect on your word, that it will impact our lives in powerful ways.
ALL In the mighty name of Jesus we pray Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
Pastor Faithful God, you displayed your love and incredible care for us through Jesus. He is a light that has come into the darkness of this world filled with sin and evil. It is apparent that we choose darkness over the light and find ourselves putting more faith in things of the world rather than in Jesus. We are sorry that we have turned away from you. Break into our lives with your radiant beams of light and give us a fresh faith that will lead to good works and glorify your name. We trust in you Lord.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
ALL Lord God, we know what we have done and are sorry for our offenses. We openly lay our sins before you and with a contrite heart, and humbly ask you to forgive us. We confess that we have not shown our faith in you even though you have promised to empower our witness. We have lacked faith in Jesus when life is falling apart – thinking that we have control. Help our faith grow and help us surrender our lives to your control, care, and power.
Pastor Trust now what it says in the Word of God: “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As a called minister and servant of Christ, know without a doubt that your sins are forgiven. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 62:1-5
In this passage we see the imagery of the bridegroom depicting the Messiah and the bride depicting God’s people.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. 2 The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. 3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 4 No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. 5 As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
