Description
Philippians 4:4–7
In our Advent journey we hear the words of the early church in our Epistle reading reminding us the joy and peace that comes with Jesus’ coming. Even though the world is a mess and the signs of the end are constantly around us, we who live with Jesus have nothing to worry about because of our relationship with God. “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
Salvation
Charlie Hall, ©2000 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
The First Noel
Traditional Carol, ©Public Domain
God of Brilliant Lights
Aaron Shust, Ed Cash, Scott Cash, ©2013 Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) CP Shust Tunes (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Worship Together Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Unknown (Admin. by Unaffiliated Admin (UA))
[Traditional Options]
A Great and Mighty Wonder
LSB 383; LW 51
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
BH 75 79; BH 91 77; CH 244; CHH 125; EH 66; ELW 254; HWC 124; HFG 168; HLC 102; LBW 30; LSB 338; LW 22; NCH 122; PH 1,2; RH 115; RS 496; STTL 157; WC 135; UMH 196; WAR 153; WHM 121; WIS 181
Salvation Unto Us Has Come
ELW 590; LBW 297; LSB 555; LW 355
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 The Lord is at hand!
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus.
Pastor Lift up your voices and praise Him!
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus.
Pastor Do not be anxious about anything!
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus.
Pastor Lord bless us with Your everlasting peace.
ALL Amen! Come Lord Jesus and bless us. Amen!
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor We live in a sinful world. You know this, I know this, and until Christ returns it is how it is. Yet our Lord calls us not to be burdened by the world or fear it. Instead He reminds us that He is in the world, with us even now. How often we forget this and let fear and sin erode our days. May this special time with Jesus lift you out of the mess and purify you, so that you can live at peace even in this life. Let us confess our sins.
Silence for reflection
Pastor Holy Lord, merciful God,
ALL We live in a sinful world and by our own actions and inactions contribute to the mess. We forget who we are, we forget we are Your beloved people. We get caught up in the mess of this life and do not bring You the glory you deserve. Forgive us Lord. Save us from this world, from our own sins, and preserve us for Your Kingdom’s sake. Amen.
Pastor The Lord is at hand!
ALL Amen!
Pastor By His great love you have nothing to fear, no anxiety to hold to. You are free, made perfect, loved forever. Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL Amen! Alleluia!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Zephaniah 3:14-20
Zephaniah reminds us to not fear the evil of the world but to rejoice in the Lord. We can easily be distracted from the joy of Jesus because of our fear, may it never be so!
14Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. 16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak. 17The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing. 18I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. 19Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. 20At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
