Call to Worship – Prepare the Way!

 

A voice cries out:
“Prepare for God’s arrival!
Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.
Fill in the valleys, level off the hills.
Smooth out the ruts, and clear out the rocks.
For our God is coming!
Let’s worship together.

 

Song –There’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy

 

Prayer by Carolyn Brown

 

God, you are the Alpha and Omega.
You were here before anything else existed
and you will be here when everything and everyone has come to an end.

 

Creating God, you spoke and the entire universe came into existence.
You know the secrets of stars and dark holes and far flung galaxies.

 

Lord of the Whole Creation,
you are aware of each tiny creature on each planet.
You pay attention to insects and birds and even us.

 

God of History, you call us to be your people.
You appointed us to take care of this planet Earth.
You gave us rules for living well together.
You call us to great things.

 

Loving God you created each one of us.
You know us by name and watch over us.
You are with us when everything is wonderful.
And, you walk with us through our worst days.

 

God of Mercy,
You know everything we do, the good and the bad.
And, still you do not give up on us.
When we mess up, you call us back to yourself
and you forgive us when we don’t deserve it.

 

You are greater than we can understand,
vaster than we can imagine,
more amazing than we can put into words.
So with awe and deep gratitude we pray as Jesus taught us to pray…

 

Scripture Reading – John 1:1-8

 

 

6 A man named John was sent from God. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. 8 He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.

 

Song –Light of the World

 

Scripture Reading – John 1:9-15

 

9 The true light that shines on all people
was coming into the world.
10 The light was in the world,
and the world came into being through the light,
but the world didn’t recognize the light.
11 The light came to his own people,
and his own people didn’t welcome him.
12 But those who did welcome him,
those who believed in his name,
he authorized to become God’s children,
13 born not from blood
nor from human desire or passion,
but born from God.
14 The Word became flesh
and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
glory like that of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about him, crying out, “This is the one of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is greater than me because he existed before me.’”

 

Video Sermon

 

Prayer

 

Gracious God,
you have enriched and enlightened us by the revelation of your eternal Christ.
Comfort us in our mortality
and strengthen us to walk the path of your desire,
so that by word and deed we may manifest the gracious news
of your faithfulness and love.

 

Holy Father,
Father of Christ who asked the disciples,
“What are you looking for,”
and who offered the invitation to “Come and See,”
open our hearts to what you reveal and give us the courage to follow.
By Your Spirit aid us in our journey,
so that like John, our words and deeds point to the Lamb of God.
For those who are suffering, let us point to Christ through comfort.
For those who are hungry, let us point to Christ through bread.
For those in the grip of despair, let us point to Christ through hope.

 

Almighty God,
whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world:
Grant that your people, illumined by your Word,
may shine with the radiance of Christ’s glory,
that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth.
We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and forever. Amen.

 

Benediction