Description
John 3:1-17
Nicodemus, a Pharisee, approached Jesus seeking spiritual understanding. Jesus explained the necessity of being born again through the Spirit, emphasizing God’s incredible love for the world by sending His Son for salvation. Just as Nicodemus sought spiritual insight, we are reminded to humbly approach Jesus, and allow the transformative work of the Holy Spirit to bring about a new birth within us.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome! We are going to bring our praise and worship as an offering before the mysterious and awe-inspiring Triune God! As we gather to worship, ask the Lord now to soften your hearts to Him.
Worshipers
Lord, may we our hearts be tilled ground, ready for your transformative work in our lives. We bring You all the glory and honor and praise for You are worthy.
Time of Praise and Worship
How Great Is Our God
Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, & Jesse Reeves ©2004 worshiiptogether.com songs/Sixsteps Music/ASCAP
God So Loved
Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Franni Cash, Andrew Bergthold, Martin Cash, ©2019 We The Kingdom Music, Andrew Bergthold Designee, We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee, Capitol CMG Genesis, Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
King of Kings
Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram & Scott Ligertwood, ©2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Fellow Ships Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
[Traditional Options]
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
CH 377; CHH 377; EH 460,461; ELW 392; HS98 851; HWC 223; HLC 174; LBW 158; LSB 821; NCH 257; PH 144; STTL 273; WC 263; WAR 320
There Is A Redeemer
CH 308; HWC 206; LSB 971; RH 211; STTL 246; WAR 117
God Loved the World So That He Gave
BH75 445; ELW 323; LBW 292; LSB 571; LW 352; NCH 208
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Let us pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Triune God, we gather in Your holy presence to bring You glory. We ask You to lead us, Holy Spirit, into worship, prayer, and intercession. We ask You, Jesus, to inspire us with Your sacrifice. We ask You, Father, to envelop us in Your love. Renew us with Your Word, Lord.
Worshipers
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
In the presence of the Holy Trinity, let us humbly bow our hearts. Acknowledging our shortcomings, we confess moments when we veered away from the divine Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Worshipers
Forgive us, gracious God, for the times we were self-centered and didn’t reflect the image of the Triune God.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Father, the redeeming sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, is what we need to transform us by Your grace. Align our lives in perfect harmony with You.
Worshipers
We seek forgiveness and the strength to walk in the light of Your eternal love. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 6:1-8
The prophet Isaiah had a vision of encountering the Lord in the temple. Witnessing God’s glory, Isaiah was completely overwhelmed with a profound sense of unworthiness, yet he responded to God’s call with, “Here am I; send me!’
6 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
