This Week’s Theme
“The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me”
Luke 4.14-21
After triumphing over Satan during his temptation in the wilderness, our Lord Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, to Nazareth, his hometown where he had been brought up. He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom, and stood up to read. The attendant gave him the scroll of Isaiah the prophet, which Jesus unrolled, finding the place where a specific passage was written. He read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
After reading this passage, Jesus rolled the scroll up, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. With the eyes of everyone there fixed on him, Jesus said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Jesus publicly and definitively announced to that synagogue audience that he was the Messiah of Isaiah’s prophecy. The audience gathered there bore witness to his testimony that he was the Christ; they witnessed the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. He is the Messiah of God, the king of Israel, the one chosen by God to proclaim Good News to the poor, to liberate the captive and the blind. He continues this ministry still to all those who today believe in his name.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for Jesus’s testimony that he is in fact the Messiah of God, the anointed one of Isaiah’s prophecy. Indeed, we know him to be the Messiah, our liberator, the proclaimer of freedom and liberty, and the only one who can set the captives free. Let the Nazarene’s testimony resonate today, in our hearts and lives, as we follow him. In Jesus’s name, amen.
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Thursday: Num. 11-13
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 19
Gospel: Luke 4.14-21
NT: 1 Cor. 12.12-31a
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
Truly, dear Savior and Lord, it must have been a shock to your friends and neighbors to hear your testimony that the words of Isaiah were fulfilled in their hearing that morning. Let us cling to your testimony, affirming in our hearts that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, come to liberate, heal, and transform us all. Make it so in our lives today, amen.
Affirmation for the Day
God provides spiritual sight to those who are blind through the life and salvation of the Lord Jesus.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Lord Jesus, we affirm today that you are the Messiah, the center of Isaiah’s prophecy, the anointed one chosen by God to bring deliverance to the broken of the world.
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me
Luke 4.14-21
Book Reading
Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism
Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Monday, January 28, 2019
Special Church Year Service
The Presentation of the Lord: Saturday, February 2, 2019