Description

Luke 3:1-6

This week as we walk towards Christmas, we continue to be reminded of how the preparations for the first coming of Christ are the same of the second coming.  John the Baptist prepared the way of Jesus by proclamation joining the prophets who were before him.  Today, we join the church on earth proclaiming the coming of the Lord again and calling all people to repentance and joyful protection in the church.  “Come Lord Jesus!”

 

… 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

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              We begin our time together, 

ALL                  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

  

Opening Litany

Pastor              Lord God, prepare us for Your presence,

ALL                  Amen!  Come Lord Jesus. 

Pastor              Make our paths straight,

ALL                  Amen!  Come Lord Jesus.

Pastor              purify our hearts,

ALL                  Amen!  Come Lord Jesus. 

Pastor              embrace us with You perfect love,

ALL                  Amen!  Come Lord Jesus and bless us.  Amen!

  

Time of Greeting

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor              Let us prepare for the Lord and turn to Him.  Repent of your sins and trust in His mercy.

Silence for reflection 

Pastor              Holy Lord, merciful God,

ALL                We have made our own paths in this life and not followed You.  We have harmed our neighbors by actions and inactions.  We                                   have not shared Your love or reflected Your glory as we should.  Forgive us Lord.  Straighten our paths, refine us, and send us as                           Your joyful and holy people. 

Pastor              Our Lord Jesus Christ has come into the world and has purified it with His blood. Through Him all people can be saved, through Him you have been                                saved.  The Lord forgives you.  Jesus Christ loves you.  God Himself is with you now and always!

ALL                  Amen! We praise you God for Your love and mercy. Amen!

 

… We Hear God’s Word …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading     Malachi 3:1–7b

We hear one of the many prophecies that point to John the Baptist and the work of Jesus. The themes of purifying, judgement

, and repentance is strong in these words.

 

1“Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. 5“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts. 6“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. 7From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

 

A    This is the Word of the Lord.

C    Thanks be to God.