The Celebration of the Gospel
November 24, 2019 — Reign of Christ Sunday
There was a sign over him that said “This is the king of the Jews.”
—Luke 23.37
______ We Are Received as Children of God____
GREETING
PRELUDE
8:15: Here I Am to Worship — Tim Hughes (vocals by Jennifer Zuk)
10:30: Children’s Song Medley — arr: Mark Hayes
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
* CALL TO WORSHIP – (Colossians 1.15-20)
Leader: Christ is the image of the invisible God.
All: In Christ all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.
In Christ all things in heaven and on earth were created;
Christ reigns over thrones and dominions and rulers and powers.
Christ is the head of the Body, the church.
Through Christ all things are reconciled to God, making peace by his love on the cross.
This is the love we adore, the love we worship, the love we serve. Alleluia!
* SONG – Rejoice, the Lord Is King – Blue hymnal # 715, v. 1-3
_____ We Are Transformed by the Love of Christ____
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG – Victory in Jesus – Eugene Bartlett – arr. Pethel
PRAYER
God of power and might, we profess that Christ, your love embodied, rules over all Creation. Grant that Christ may rule over our own hearts: that we may belong to you alone, that our trust be in you, that our will be subservient to yours, that our lives are wholly in your service. God of grace, we pledge allegiance to you and to your Christ. Speak your Word to us and order our lives by your grace. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT – Colossians 1.11-20, 26
[Christ is the visible image of the invisible God, who was present before Creation, and whose being includes all Creation. God is fully present in Christ, and in Christ all things are reconciled to God. God has rescued us from darkness and brought us into a new world of light, ruled by Christ.]
Christ is the visible appearance of the invisible God,
the beloved older sibling of all creation.
All things in heaven and on earth were created in Christ,
everything visible and invisible,
rulers and powers and systems and empires—
everything was created through Christ and for Christ.
Christ came before anything,
and in Christ everything holds together.
Christ is the head and the church is the body.
Christ is the Source of life, and has turned even death into a birth:
so Christ is first in every way.
In Christ God lives completely.
Through Christ God reconciles us to God—
all of us, and everything on earth and in heaven:
in dying on the cross, Christ brought God and humanity together.
This is the mystery, hidden for ages but now revealed:
that Christ is alive in us. Alleluia!
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GOSPEL – Luke 23.33-43
[Jesus displays God’s disturbingly counter-cultural sovereignty: not in domination and invulnerability, but in love, sharing our suffering and offering forgiveness.]
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Abba, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, the chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
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SERMON – Mighty powerlessness
SONG – We Were Baptized in Christ Jesus – Black hymnal # 2251
_________The Sacrament of Baptism ________
Introduction
Pastor: Beloved in Christ:
through the sacrament of baptism
God gives us new birth through water and the Spirit,
brings us into Christ’s holy church,
and makes us part of the salvation of the world.
So we come to the water—
Yes, everyone who thirsts! Come to the waters:
water of new birth, poured out and flowing freely
for all who will receive it;
water of justice rolling down,
water of righteousness like an everflowing stream;
a spring of water in us gushing up to eternal life;
the river of God for the healing of the world.
We come to this water
because our souls thirst for you, O God,
as in a dry and weary land.
Sponsor: We come to this water
to baptize Emilia
and to bathe her in your love for her.
Pastor: We come to this water as a community.
All: We come to this water
to renew our love as siblings in Christ,
and to renew our baptism
in the death and resurrection of Christ.
The Baptismal Vows
Pastor (to the parents): As we behold the mystery of God’s grace,
I invite you to profess your faith,
and to confirm the baptismal covenant made in your name:
Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Parents: We confess our need for the saving, life-giving grace of God!
Will you turn away from the powers of sin and death?
We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of our sin!
Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be?
We accept the freedom and power God gives us
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves!
Will you receive God’s grace, give yourselves wholly to God,
and live as disciples of Jesus, Christ’s body on earth?
We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior,
put our whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as our Lord,
in union with the church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races!
Will you nurture Emilia in Christ’s holy church?
By teaching and example we will guide her
to accept God’s grace, to grow in faith, and to lead a Christian life.
Do you, as Christ’s Body, the church, reaffirm your rejection of sin
and your commitment to Christ?
Congregation: We do.
Will you be living witnesses to the gospel,
individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?
We will live as faithful members of the Body of Christ
and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.
Will you nurture one another in living the faith through the church
and include Emilia in your care?
With God’s help we will embody the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will surround Emilia with faith, hope and love
that she may grow in grace and faith
and learn to trust God and live in loving service in the world.
We will pray for her and walk with her
on her journey of discipleship among us.
Profession of Faith (The Apostles’ Creed)
Let us join in professing our faith.
Do you trust in God the Father and Mother?
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you follow Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Begotten, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you live by the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Thanksgiving over the Water
The Spirit of God is among us.
The blessing of the Beloved is upon us!
Let us pray. Loving, life-giving God, we give you thanks,
for in the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters
and you brought forth Creation.
You brought us to freedom through the waters of the Red Sea.
You gave us new birth through baptism into Christ,
and gave us life that cannot die.
The river of God is full of water,
the river of the water of life,
bright as crystal, flowing from the heart of God.
We who are baptized into Christ Jesus are baptized into his life,
born in the water of a womb;
we are baptized into his ministry,
giving water to the thirsty,
washing the feet and sharing the tears of all who suffer;
and we are baptized into his death,
so that just as Christ was raised by the glory of God,
we too might walk in newness of life.
Born of water and the Spirit,
may we enter into the Realm of God
as children of God,
born not of human will, but of God.
Pour out your Holy Spirit in this water and bless her who receives it,
that claimed by your Word, nourished in your grace,
washed from all sin and borne by your Spirit,
she may live in freedom, trust and courage,
sharing in the eternal life of Christ.
Emilia, you are God’s Beloved, in whom God is well pleased.
All reverence and delight is yours,
infinite and loving God, now and forever.
All praise to you, Eternal Father and Mother, Son and Holy Spirit,
in the present moment and in eternity. Amen!
… Baptism with Laying on of Hands …
Let us welcome our new sibling in Christ.
Emilia, Child of God, claimed by water and the Spirit,
you are joined to God’s new creation.
We are one in Christ Jesus, sharing in Christ’s royal priesthood.
With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you as a member of Christ’s church.
God bless you now and in eternal life. Amen.
SONG – All Through Your Life – Steve G-H
Dear Beloved, God will bless you all through your life,
Love’s own gentle hand caress you, all through your life.
You are made by God’s designing, with the holy Presence shining.
Grace will be your silver lining all through your life.
Journey hand in hand with Jesus all through your life.
Walk with him who heals and frees us all through your life.
Like him may you be forgiving, gentle, hopeful, freely giving.
Risen, new, receive your living, all through your life.
May the Holy Spirit lead you all through your life,
guide, protect, renew and feed you all through your life.
In the light of our redeeming, with divine compassion gleaming,
be a light of justice, beaming all through your life.
(10:30) RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Members of the household of God, I commend Josephine to your love and care.
Do all in your power to increase her faith, confirm her hope and perfect her in love.
We give thanks for all God has already given you
and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you in the Body of Christ
and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church,
we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church
by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness,
that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ,
establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit,
that you may live in grace and peace.
Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
____We Are Sent in the Power of the Holy Spirit__
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
8:15: It Is Well With My Soul – Philip Bliss
10:30: Children Of The Heavenly Father – Swedish Melody, arr: Jeffrey Honoré
* OFFERING SONG – Doxology – Blue hymnal #95
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you our lives, symbolized in these gifts. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. May Christ rule in our hearts and love be our Sovereign, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG – Lord, Be Glorified – Black hymnal #2150
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH – Luke 1.68-79 – Blue hymnal # 208
[God has fulfilled the Covenant to save us and establish a new realm of peace, and has chosen us to bring that realm, in the form of forgiveness, to all people.]
Blessed are you, the Most High God of Israel,
for you have visited your people and redeemed them.
You have raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of your servant David,
as you spoke through the mouth of your holy prophets from of old,
that we would be saved from our enemies
and from the power of all our foes.
Thus you have shown us the mercy you promised to our ancestors,
and have remembered your holy covenant,
the oath that you swore to Sarah and Abraham,
to rescue us from the hands of our enemies,
that we might serve you without fear,
in holiness and justice ,
in your presence all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before our God to prepare the ways of the Promised One,
to give knowledge of salvation to God’s people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
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RESPONSE We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE 8:15: Victory in Jesus“, Eugene Bartlett (vocals by Jennifer Zuk)
10:30: Now Thank We All Our God – Johann Crüger and Sigfrid Karg-Elert, arr: Fred Bock