SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019
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Words of Greeting: Matthew 3:1-6
One: In those
days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying,
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
All:
This
is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one
calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for
him.' "
One: John's
clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.
His food was locusts and wild honey.
All:
People
went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the
Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
As
Christians we have been taught right from wrong. Not only that, we have a responsibility to
teach others. When we sin, we will be held accountable on both these levels -
as were the Children of God in Malachi's time:
Prayer of Confession: Malachi 2:7-8, 10
One: "For the lips of a
priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek
instruction because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty. But you have
turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated
the covenant with Levi," says the Lord Almighty.
All: Have
we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the
covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?
(Silent
Prayer and Reflection)
To be forgiven - what does
it feel like? For we are promised God's mercy if we turn to God. Here is an image that the prophet Micah
paints for us...
Assurance of Pardon:
Malachi 4:2
One:
"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with
healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from
the stall."
Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel!
All: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Scripture
Reading Malachi
1:11-14
Scripture Reading Malachi
3:7-12
The Minor Prophets: Malachi "Open the Floodgates"
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