Description
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Anticipating the arrival of the Messiah, the people asked if John could be the One. But John baptized with water, and Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, separating those who refuse to be used by God from those who repent and believe. John used the analogy of a winnowing fork clearing a threshing floor. The Holy Spirit’s baptism signifies a new life in Christ fueled by the Spirit’s power and reveals one’s separation from evil.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Newborn King
Graham Kendrick & Paul Baloche © Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook])) Leadworship Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook])) Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
He Shall Reign Forevermore
Chris Tomlin & Matt Maher, © 2015 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) I Am A Pilgrim Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Deliverer
Sarah MacIntosh & Vicky Beeching, © 2010 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))
[Traditional Options]
Arise and Shine in Splendor
LSB 396; LW 85
Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord
ELW 395; LBW 163; LSB 497; LW 154
God of Grace and God of Glory
BH 75 265; BH 91 395; CH 435; CHH 464; EH 594,595; ELW 705; HWC 292; WFG 528; HLC 466; LBW 415; LSB 850; LW 398; NCH 436; PH 420; STTL 720; WC 669; UMH 577; WAR 569; WHM 332
Invocation
Pastor Today we gather to bring an offering of praise to the Lord Almighty!
ALL Praise Him all you people! Praise the Lord!
Pastor We lift up our voices and sing, we tune our hearts to the song of the King.
ALL Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Oh Great God, we wait at your gates. We ask that you open the windows of Heaven and
pour out your Spirit on us. We humble ourselves before you now and prepare our hearts
to receive from your hand.
ALL Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Confession, according to the dictionary, is a formal statement admitting that one is guilty of a crime.
ALL We are guilty; the gavel has pounded, “Guilty!”
Pastor We are sinners and our sentence is death.
ALL But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He paid our penalty of death!
Pastor In Christ, we are free. In Christ alone, we have eternal life. In Christ, we are forgiven!
ALL Our slates have been wiped clean, our God has forgiven us! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 43:1-7
Just as God loves Israel, redeems them, and calls them by name, He also loves us and calls us His. We shall not fear because the Lord God is with us through trials and fears. We are His sons and daughters.
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—7 everyone who is called by my name whom I created for my glory whom I formed and made.”
