Description
Luke 4:14-30
It seems that to be part of the human race means we are held captive in a multitude of ways. We are enslaved by sin, addictions, habits, influences, the world, ourselves, and the list is long. Too many, this list is fueled by a false sense of freedom – that is, freedom to do whatever one pleases. In Christ, this understanding of freedom is shattered. Jesus releases us from captivity to sin, death, others, and self. We are free and nothing has to hold us captive. This is good news for all of us!
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 With Us
Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Jim Bryson, Mike Scheuchzer, & Nathan Cochran, ©2007 Simpleville Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.) Wet As A Fish Music (Admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc.)
Catalogs Simpleville Music
Come As You Are
Ben Glover, David Crowder, & Matt Maher, ©2014 9t One Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Ariose Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing
(Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Draw Me Close
Kelly Carpenter, ©1994 Mercy/Vineyard Publishin
[Traditional Options]
Once He Came In Blessing
EH 53; LBW 312; LSB 333; LW 30
Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord
LSB 869; LW 33
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
BH 75 94; BH 91 1-6; CH 279; CHH 163; ELW 276; HS 98 812; HWC143; HFG 194; LBW 44; LSB 393; PH 37; RH 131; RS 509; STTL 186; WC 169; UMH 229; WAR 221; WHM 148
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor There is a freedom that is incomparable. We are here to worship God in and through Jesus Christ and celebrate the true freedom bestowed upon us all through His amazing grace.
ALL Jesus adhered to God’s perfect plan for redemption, thus we are released from captivity and have been set free!
Opening Prayer
Pastor God of Grace and Mercy, It was out of incredible love for humanity, that you made a provision for our freedom. You sent Jesus Christ into this world to abolish our slavery to sin and grant forgiveness and restoration. Through your unconditional love, you made it possible for us to have a new and abundant life filled with hope for the future. Each day we are faced with the influences of our world and they can so easily distort our concept of what it truly means to be free. The Spirit of the Lord anointed Jesus to bring good news to the poor and proclaim release to the captives. Release us Lord from that which holds us captive.
ALL We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor God of Truth and Grace, as we look around, we see that freedom has many faces. Many have a false sense of what true freedom is. The freedom to make decisions and engage in behaviors which do not align with your will actually leads to bondage. The truth of your Word states this: we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. It was out of your amazing love for us, that you sent Jesus to free us from sin and that which holds us captive. We can live with hope in a world that would otherwise leave us hopeless. Help us to look within ourselves—confessing that which enslaves us so that we can be free to serve you.
(A time of personal reflection and confession)
All Lord God, we confess to you that we have failed to live and act according to your will. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have allowed the influences of society take precedence over your ways. We have often not embraced the truth of your word and have suffered the affects of our decisions. We are very sorry and ask for your forgiveness. Bring wisdom to our minds and temper us so that we can be obedient to your word and not held captive by our sins.
Pastor We have been released from bondage to sin because God has conquered sin and death. As we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, the Lord reconciles us through the blood of Jesus Christ. We cannot lose sight of how much the Lord loves us and accepts us. The shackles of sin do not hold you. You are forgiven! You are free!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
As Ezra read God’s word, the people listened attentively, and they wept because they were not obeying the word.
1 All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. 2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. 5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. 9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
