Pastor: This is the Spirit's entry now: the water and the word, Congregation: The cross of Jesus on our brows, the seal both felt and heard. Pastor: Let water be the sacred sign that we must die each day, Congregation: To rise again, by Christ's design, as followers of his way! ~T.E. Herbranson, 1972
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all [...]
Pastor: Grace to you and peace in this new year. Congregation: We will bless God who has blessed us in Christ. Pastor: In Christ we have obtained an inheritance. Congregation: We have been redeemed as God's own people. All: Praise be to God!
Call to Confession: Liturgist: The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Therefore let us confess our sins before God and one another as together we pray... Prayer of Confession: All: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient [...]
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy [...]
Call to Confession: Leader: As we celebrate your birth this Christmas season, Lord Jesus, we know we have fallen short of your glory. We ask your forgiveness for our shortcomings. Let us now confess together our sin as together we pray... Prayer of Confession: All: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you [...]
Pastor: Come, faithful watchers, and behold, your salvation is here! Congregation: We greet the Wondrous Light, our Messiah, Christ the Lord. Pastor: We have waited and watched, longing for peace to reign... Congregation: We greet the Wondrous Light, the fulfillment of our long awaited hope. All: Come, let us worship the birth of our Savior!
The Birth of Jesus the Messiah Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah[a] took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public [...]
The Visit of the Wise Men In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men[a] from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,[b] and have come to pay him homage.’ 3 When King Herod [...]
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city [...]
