Description
Luke 3:15-22
The people wondered if John the Baptist was actually the Messiah, but John corrected them. His baptism was only with water, but the Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, separating the religious from true disciples. But the cost of proclaiming the Gospel landed John in prison and eventually led to his death. We are reminded that the weight of this Gospel message is ours to share, and we can do so with the help of the Holy Spirit.
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
Holy Water
Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash, Scott Cash © 2019 Andrew Bergthold Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) We The Kingdom ASCAP Designee (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) We The Kingdom Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
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)
Christ Be Magnified
Cody Carnes, Cory Asbury, Ethan Hulse © 2019 Cory Asbury Publishing (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing) Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Writer’s Roof Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) EGH Music Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Bethel Music Publishing
[Traditional Options]
Prepare the Royal Highway
ELW 264; LBW 26; LSB 343; LW 27
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
We Praise and Acknowledge You, O God
LSB 941
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
What a blessing it is to be able to gather freely in this place and to worship together.
Worshipers
May we never take for granted the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
Let’s praise the Lord for this gift of gathering, this joy in unity, and this peace we have in Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord.
Worshipers
Praise the Lord!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord Jesus Christ, we unify our hearts and minds as one Body. We ask that You’d unify us through the power and work of the Holy Spirit. Seal us today and accept our worship. You are Christ the King- we don’t wonder, we know for Your Word has spoken, and we believe.
Worshipers
Yes, we believe.
Pastor / Worship Leader
Be with us now, Lord. Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, when You created the heavens and the earth and everything in it, You called Your masterpiece good. But humanity-stained goodness with sinfulness inviting the curse of death.
Worshipers
We praise the Lord Jesus Christ who broke the curse of death and brought us eternal life!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ the Son of God paved the way for us to be set free.
Worshipers
For we have died with Christ and have also been resurrected into eternal life with Him!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Now knowing this truth, we must haste and confess!
Worshipers
We confess that although freed from sin, we fall short of the glory of God forgetting His path of righteousness and goodness. We ask for the forgiveness of our sins given only by the Son, Jesus Christ.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We confess and through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Worshipers
Sin has no hold on us! Glory to God- hallelujah! Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Isaiah 43:1-7
Creator God knows every intimate detail about us. Like the Israelites, we too, have been formed and fashioned by the one, true God, who is our Redeemer. He calls His people “precious” and “honored in His sight,” and He loves us so much.
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 am 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.”
