Description

Luke 4:21-30

When the people who gathered in the synagogue heard the words fall off of Jesus’ lips for the first time, they were amazed.  They must have been thinking and saying to themselves: “I can’t believe what I am hearing.  He speaks with such authority and conviction.”  “It was just yesterday, that He was a boy running around here and playing games.”  “I can’t believe this is little Jesus all grown up and articulating the scriptures so eloquently.” Yes, this son of an ordinary carpenter sure blew their socks off that day, and this was just the beginning. The son of God entered into our ordinary world – appearing to be an ordinary man. Yet, He was not ordinary. He was both ordinary (man) and God. But, because of Him, God uses us as ordinary people, to communicate the powerful message of the Gospel. Some, even those closest to us, may not respond but we cannot let this detour us from our mission.

 

… 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

God Is Able

Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan, ©2010 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Forever Reign

Jason Ingram & Reuben Morgan, ©2009 SHOUT! Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) Windsor Hill Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)

Your Name

Glenn Packiam & Paul Baloche, ©2006 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music; Vertical Worship Songs (Admin. by Integrity Music, Inc.)

Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)

Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown, ©2005 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music

[Traditional Options]

The King Of Love My Shepherd Is      

BH 75 215; CH 683; EH 645/646; ELW 502; HWC 468; HLC 46; LBW 456; LSB 709; LW 412; NCH 248; PH 171/174; UMH 138; WIS 425

O Sing Jubilee to the Lord

LBW 256; LW 205

O God of Love, O King of Peace

BH91 619; EH 578; ELW 749; LBW 414; LSB 751; LW 498; NCH 571; PH 295; 

 

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

Pastor              We are here today to hear the Good News in a world filled with bad news. 

ALL                  We are ready to hear the life-changing powerful news that Christ proclaims. 

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

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

  

Opening Prayer  

Pastor              Gracious God, You had such love and compassion for your creation that You came into this world You made in the form of a human being.   In this way, You were                                     able to identify with us in our trials as well as our joys. We thank You for giving us a clearer understanding 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 clearly known to us.                                 Thank you Lord, for this special gift.               

ALL                  In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

  

Time of Greeting

  

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

Pastor              We now take a moment to come before You in humbleness to confess our sins – the areas of our lives that get in the way of our relationship with you.

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

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 has called us to love unconditionally but we have put conditions on it

We know that we have been sent into the world for a purpose, 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 worked through ordinary people when Jesus called the original 12 disciples, but we think He can’t use us.

(silence for personal confession)

Lord, please forgive us. We are deeply sorry and ask for Your forgiveness.

Pastor             By Christ’s authority and power, your sins are forgiven. This is the truth—and the truth sets us free. We now have reason to rejoice! 

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                      Jeremiah 1:4-10                                                           

The Lord calls His people to be His mouthpiece and communicate a message of hope!                            

4 Now the word of the LORD came to me saying, 5 “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.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” 7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you, 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.” 9 Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the LORD said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”