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A Service for the Lord’s Day
Baptism of the Lord
(*Please stand in body or in spirit)
The Instrumental Prelude and Time for Meditation
Announcements, Rev. Hana Elliott
Celebrations and the Birthday Song,
Happy birthday, happy birthday, your friends are all singing.
May the year that is coming bring gladness to you.
May it teach you to be helpful, kindhearted, and loving.
Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.
*Call to Worship:
Leader: In the beginning, at creation, the Spirit hovered over the waters of the deep.
People: In the waters of the flood, God cleansed the earth and humankind.
Leader: God caused the waters to part so that Israel could cross from enslavement to liberation.
People: God formed Jesus in the waters of Mary’s womb.
Leader: Jesus taught us how to live by washing his disciples’ feet in water.
People: Drinking water at a well, Jesus met a Samaritan woman, the first person to recognize that he was the Christ.
Leader: Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus, the Christ.
People: God meant for Jesus to be the firstborn in a large family. Praise be!
*Hymn #24 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”
*Call to Confession: (1)
We cannot be reminded enough that God claims us as beloved children even before we are perfect people. As we remember our baptisms, let us confess those foolish choices which keep us from jumping feet first into that river of grace, where God meets us in the waters of life. Let us confess our sin first in silence, and then aloud together.
*Prayer of Confession, In Unison
(Begin with individual silent prayer before joining in unison)
Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from one another. We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another. We allow the past to hold us captive. In your loving kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from sin. Fulfill the promises of our baptism so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace.
*Assurance of Forgiveness:
As a voice from heaven said to Jesus, so in Christ, God speaks to us: You are my child, my beloved; with you I am well pleased. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
*The Gloria #108, In Unison
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
*Passing of the Peace:
Remember your baptism and be thankful. The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer for Illumination:
Let us pray together: Still speaking God, as these words from Scripture are read, may it be to us as if the heavens are opening, and we see your Spirit descending on us like a dove, revealing your love for us as your children. Amen.
First Scripture Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9 (pg. 1127)
Second Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:13-17 (pg. 1508)
Leader: This is the Word of the Lord
People: Let our thanks and praise be to God!
Children’s Message: Phyllis Holt
Sermon:
*Hymn #419 “Children of the Heavenly Father”
*Affirmation of Faith, (2)
By humble submission to John’s baptism, Christ joined himself to men and women in their need and entered upon his ministry of reconciliation in the power of the Spirit. Christian baptism marks the receiving of the same Spirit by all his people. Baptism with water represents not only cleansing from sin, but a dying with Christ and a joyful rising with him to new life. It commits all Christians to die each day to sin and to live for righteousness. In baptism, the church celebrates the renewal of the covenant with which God has bound us to God’s very self.
To be reconciled to God is to be sent into the world as God’s reconciling community. Christ has called the church to this mission and given it the gift of the Holy Spirit. The life, death, resurrection, and promised coming of Jesus Christ has set the pattern for the church’s mission. The church follows this pattern in the form of its life and in the method of its action. So to live and serve is to confess Christ as Lord. Amen.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
Call to Offering:
With generous hearts, let us give back a portion of what has been given to us in our baptism covenant with God and each other.
Offering,
Monetary gifts may be placed in the offering plates as they are passed among the pews.
*Doxology #109
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Prayer of Dedication
Let us Pray: Great, saving God, you have gathered us into one baptism, regardless of our backgrounds and conditions. Therefore we praise you with our tithes and offerings. May they join with others to become a mighty river, bringing your peace and healing to the world. Amen.
Prayers of the People (3)
….Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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, forever. Amen.
Choral Response
Hear our prayer, O Lord, hear our prayer, O Lord,
Incline thine ear to us, and grant us thy peace. Amen
*Hymn #299 Come, Holy spirit, Dove Divine”
*Charge & Blessing,
*Choral Response: “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” (Insert)
Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you;
here my tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.
*The Choral Amen,
Amen, Amen, Amen.
(1) by Thom Schuman, lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com.
(2) from The Confession of 1967, inclusive language version.
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