Description
John 3:1-17
Nicodemus was a devout Pharisee, and He was curious about Jesus’ miracles. In the night, he conversed with Jesus, but Nicodemus, filled with much knowledge, lacked understanding. Jesus shared with him about God’s plan to save the world through the cross, and that he must be born again to see the Kingdom of God. Earthly knowledge only goes as far as this earth, but spiritual faith in the Father, the Son, and the Spirit reaches the heavens.
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
Holy, Holy, Holy (God With Us)
John Bacchus Dykes, Matt Maher, & Reginald Heber, © Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing), Valley Of Songs Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
King of Kings
Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram & Scott Ligertwood, ©2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
This is Amazing Grace
Jeremy Riddle, Josh Farro, & Phil Wickham, ©2012 Bethel Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Sing My Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Warner Chappell Music (Admin. by Unaffiliated Admin (UA))
[Traditional Options]
Holy, Holy, Holy
BH 75 1; BH 91 2; CH 3; CHH 4; EH 362; ELW 413; HWC 262; HPW 2; HFG 323; HLC 1; HGP 51; HSP 12; LBW 165; LSB 507; LW 168; NCH 277; PH 580; RH 213; RS 624; STTL 2; WC 2; UMH 64; WAR 136; WHM 47; WS 8
We All Believe In One True God
ELW 411; LW 374; LSB 953/954; LW 213; PH 137
There Is A Redeemer
CH 308; HWC 206; LSB 971; RH 211; STTL 246; WAR 117
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father God, You are worthy of praise from every mouth!
Worshipers
Worthy is God our Father!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus Christ, You are worthy of confession from every tongue!
Worshipers
Worthy is the Son!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Holy Spirit, You are worthy of worship from every creature!
Worshipers
Worthy is the Holy Spirit!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Majestic Trinity, we bow down and adore You. We sing praises without ceasing and we join in with the heavenly worship and say,
Worshipers
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! Hallelujah!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heaven and earth are full of Your praises! You are worthy!
Worshipers
Worthy is the Lord! Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
It seems too good to be true that the God of all would care for mere beings like us.
Worshipers
Our lives are messy and tumultuous. Who are we that God is mindful of us?
Pastor / Worship Leader
We are His beloved Creation. He is good, and we do not fully understand how His grace covers our sin and shame.
Worshipers
Lord, help us with our unbelief, our self-preserving acts, our isolation and harm. Pour mercy into our souls, and give us eyes to see and ears to hear You and hearts to receive Your forgiveness and freely give it away. In Jesus’ name we ask, amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah experienced a capturing vision of the Lord seated high on a throne surrounded by seraphim calling out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty!” What occurred in his vision should capture the attention and devotion of all of our hearts and move us to respond in surrendered posture and reverence before the Lord.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”