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 3:1–4
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.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
