This Week’s Theme
The Lamb of God
John 1.29-42
One day early in his ministry, when John saw Jesus coming toward him, he declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John bore witness to the authenticity of Jesus as God’s chosen Messiah, for God had told him that the one you see the Spirit descend upon and remain, he will be the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. John testified, “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” Jesus is the Paschal sacrifice of God, the lamb offered to God to make atonement for the sins of the people. He is the antitype of the sacrificial offerings done by the priests in the Jewish Temple sacrifice. Through faith
in him we receive salvation and life.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Eternal God, our Father, God and Father of the Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of your Son as the sacrifice Lamb, slain for the sins of the world. Reveal to us now his beauty, humility, and grace, that his life might more fully be formed in our hearts and expressed in our lives, for your glory, 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
Wednesday: Lev. 17-19
Lectionary Readings
Psalm: Ps. 40.1-11
OT: Isa. 49.1-7
Gospel: John 1.29-42
NT: 1 Cor. 1.1-9
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
No words can express our love and thanks for the gift of your Son, the Lamb of God for us and for the sins of the whole world. Help us to live this day in the same spirit and love that allowed our Lord Jesus to sacrifice himself for us. Reproduce in us that same humility and beauty we see in him, for Jesus’s sake, amen.
Affirmation for the Day
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
O Savior, in you, I behold the Lamb of God, who takes away my sin and the sin of the world!
For Your Weekly Journey
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Light Has Shone, Isaiah 9.1-4
Book Reading
Packer, Knowing God