Description
Matthew 3:13-17
John the Baptist hesitated when Jesus asked John to baptize Him in the Jordan River. “I need to be baptized by you,” John protested. But as soon as John baptized Jesus, he witnessed with his own eyes the empowering Spirit descending like a dove. The Spirit was sent by God to confirm that Jesus truly was His Son.
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
O Praise the Name (Anastasis)
Benjamin Hastings | Dean Ussher | Marty Sampson, © 2015 Hillsong Music Publishing (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)
Hear Us From Heaven
Jared Anderson, ©2004 Vertical Worship Songs
[Traditional Options]
On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry
EH 65; ELW 249; LBW 36; LSB 344; LW 14; NCH 115; PH 10; RS 490; WC 136; WAR 156
Prepare the Royal Highway
ELW 264; LBW 26; LSB 343; LW 27
The Only Son From Heaven
ELW 309; LBW 86; LSB 402; LW 72
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Welcome. We rejoice in the Lord, the King of Kings! We exalt the true Son- Jesus Christ, our only hope.
Worshipers
The Lord is good.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Christ alone, we find peace and restitution for our souls.
Worshipers
The Lord is good.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Lord of Hosts, today we gather in worship of no other gods but You- the True God. Our eyes are fixed upon You. We follow You. Fill us with renewed love for one another and love for You. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord Jesus Christ, we confess to you now.
Worshipers
Although the cross has freed us we still behave as sin is our master. But You, Jesus, have freed us from the enslavement of sin and the residue it leaves in our lives.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
By Your blood shed, we have been forgiven, cleansed and made new. Give us the strength to abide in You, Jesus, and to turn away from our old sin habits.
Worshipers
We accept Your gift of forgiveness. Help us to walk in Your light always and not be blinded by sin.
Pastor / Worship Leader
In Jesus’ name,
Worshipers
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 42:1-9
God spoke to Isaiah the prophet that He would put His Spirit on Jesus, the ultimate servant, to carry out His plan of salvation and rescue. The former things had taken place, and new promises would be fulfilled through Jesus.
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” 5 This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: 6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. 8 “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9 See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
