The Word of God Made Flesh-Second Sunday after Christmas-RCL Readings 2020

Description

John 1:(1-9) 10-18

Jesus is the Word of God made flesh.  He chose us as His own from the very beginning. John the Baptist was sent before Jesus to prepare the dark world for the entrance of the true light of Christ.  Although the world was made through Jesus, it did not recognize His deity.  When we receive Christ and believe in His name, we are like lost children reunited with our loving father, and we participate in the most joyful reunion ever witnessed in Heaven and Earth.

  

…  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

Let Us Adore

Reuben Morgan, ©2005 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Your Great Name

Krissy Nordhoff & Michael Neale, ©2008 Integrity’s Praise! Music | TwoNords Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Jesus is Here

Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt, Bede Benjamin-Korporaal, ©2018 Brentwood-Benson Music, Capitol Christian Music

 

[Traditional Options]

O Blest The House, Whate’er Befall

LBW 512; LSB 862; LW 467

Once in Royal David’s City

CH 286; CHH 165; EH 102; ELW 269; HWC 155; HLC 109; LBW 376; LSB 376; LW 58; NCH 145; PH 49; RS 526; STTL 170; WC 161; UMH 250; WOV 643; WAR 183

From Heaven Above to Earth I Come

CH 146; EH 80; ELW 268; HLC 111; LBW 51; LSB 358; LW 37; NCH 130; PH 54

 

Invocation 

Pastor / Worship Leader

 Long ago, God planned the details of our lives, this very moment, this very hour, to the minute.  He missed no details.  He knew that come up missing, flawed by sin, in need of saving grace.     

 

Worshipers

   Then the Word became flesh and made His dwelling amongst us.   

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Today we worship the Word of God.  We cast down all strongholds in the name of Jesus, and we lift up the Son of God and give Him all the honor, glory, and praise.

 

 

Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   God of all time, Your Word became flesh and walked among us.  We give you praise and thanksgiving.

 

Worshipers

   Receive our gratitude and awe for all that You have done through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

 

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

[Alternate location:  following Message]

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   Oh Lord God, You are the forgiver of our sins.

 

Worshipers

   Out of the fullness of Christ we receive Your grace. 

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

  We break so many commandments and laws.  We neglect the greatest commandment, which is to love You with all that we are and all that we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

 

Worshipers

   And yet You extend Your grace and truth and love to us.  We accept Your gift of forgiveness, mercy, and grace.  We turn from our wicked ways and seek Your Spirit’s guidance and help to follow You.

 

Pastor / Worship Leader

   In Jesus’ name we pray,

Worshipers

Amen.  

 

 

…  We Hear God’s Word  …

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

 

First Reading                                  Jeremiah 31:7-14

The Lord is the God of the remnant of Israel.  He promised to save His people from distress and to bless them with His bounty- new wine, grain, and olive oil.

 

⁷ This is what the Lord says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’ ⁸ See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame,
expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. ⁹ They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. ¹⁰ “Hear the word of the Lord, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’ ¹¹ For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they. ¹² They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord—the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. ¹³ Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow. ¹⁴ I will satisfy the priests with abundance, and my people will be filled