Description
Ephesians 1:3-14
It is crystal clear in the passage from Ephesians for today that when people are living their lives “in Christ” they have it all! They take on an identity that brings an inheritance, an abundant life, eternal life, and are forever marked with the Holy Spirit. There is nothing in this world that can provide benefits such as hope, and promise like the reality of Christ living in us. “In Christ” we can change our behavior. “In Christ” we have the presence of God. “In Christ” we are connected to our brothers and sisters. “In Christ” we have purpose and meaning in life. Again, we have ALL we will ever need!
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
Love Came Down
Brian Johnson, Ian McIntosh, Jenn Johnson, Jeremy Edwardson, & Jeremy Riddle, ©2009 Bethel Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Jeremy Edwardson Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA)
Our God Saves
Brenton Brown and Paul Baloche, ©2007 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Integrity’s Hosanna! Music Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)
The Stand
Joel Houston, ©2005 Hillsong Publishing (Admin.by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name
BH 75 40,41,42; BH 91 200,201, 202; CH 16,43; CHH 91,92; EH 450,451; ELW 634; HWC 96,97; HPW 19; HFG 325,326,327; HLC 62,63; HGP 20,21; HSP 2,3,4; LBW 328,329; LSB 549; LW 272; NCH 304; PH 142,143; RH 30,31; STTL 124,126; WC 93,95; UMH 154,155; WAR 100,106; WHM 4,5; WIS 10,11
Jesus Has Come and Brings pleasure
LSB 533; LW 78
What Child Is This
BH 91 118; CH 281; CHH 162; EH 115; ELW 296; HWC 137; HFG 180; HLC 105; HGP 77; LBW 40; LSB 370; LW 61; NCH 148; PH 53; RH 143; RS 530; STTL 179; WC 150; UMH 219; WAR 184; WHM 140; WIS 164
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We are here to worship God our Father, made manifest in Christ, the Word made flesh, who lives among us, full of grace and truth.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Lord God, we are still rejoicing in the gift of your son, Jesus Christ, who came in to the world as a baby to reveal to us who you are and teach us about love, compassion, forgiveness, grace, hope, and peace. We are so amazed at the incredible love you have for us and it is for this reason, you took up residence with us. You did not distance yourself from us but instead you came into the world to be with us and show us by example who you are. In Christ, we have everything for an abundant life on earth and salvation for the future. In Christ, we have our identity. In Christ, we have an inheritance forever. We thank you and praise you.
ALL In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: Lord, we bring to you our sins – those things that drive a wedge between us and cause separation.
People: We admit that often we control others or attempt to mold them into what we want them to be.
We confess to you that we need to make changes in particular areas of our lives, yet we have not put forth the effort to do so.
We know that the voice of Jesus was filled with true wisdom but we allow other voices to get the best hearing.
We realize that you have called us to love unconditionally but we have put conditions on love in many instances.
We accept the message of Christ and embrace the new life we have in Christ, yet we do not always live our lives in conformity to His example.
We are aware of the pressures of this world which entice us away from Christ and his desire for us and our lives.
(silence for personal confession)
We have laid our sins and shortcomings before you and are sorry, therefore we ask for your forgiveness.
Pastor: As a called and ordained minister of Christ and by His authority, I declare to you that your sins are forgiven. In Christ, you are restored. We now have reason to rejoice!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading 1 Kings 3:4-15
Solomon asked God for discernment in leading his people. God was pleased with Solomon and told him if he would continue to walk in obedience to God
he would give him a long life.
4 The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 6 Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7 “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 15 Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court.
