Running to the Light by Andy Kennelly

The following worship resource is made up of four scripture readings (NIV) which proclaim the gift and power of God’s guiding light in Jesus Christ. The readings are followed by a portion of Charlie Hall’s song Marvelous Light as a sung prayer response. (CCLI #4491002)

Atmospherics: Begin the worship time in darkness. Light a candle and/or bring up a few lights where indicated by the underlined words. The light should become brighter gradually over the course of the worship.

Praising God’s Marvelous Light
READER ONE: Genesis 1:1-4
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

READER TWO: Isaiah 9:2, 6 (introductory music starts)
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…

SOLOIST OR ALL SINGING:
Marvelous Light, first half of verse 1 plus all of chorus 1

READER ONE: John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

READER TWO: This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

SOLOIST OR ALL SINGING:
Marvelous Light, second half of verse 1 plus all of chorus 1

READER ONE: John 12:46
Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

READER TWO: so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

ALL: so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

ALL SINGING:
Marvelous Light, verse 2 plus chorus 1, bridge, chorus 1

Compilation © 2010 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

For more information on the scripture translation, art, music and the use of this compilation in other settings, please refer to the copyright information page.