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The Celebration of the Gospel
January 10, 2016 —The Baptism of Jesus
“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
— Luke 3.22
_______We Gather as the Body of Christ_______
GREETING
PRELUDE O My Soul, Rejoice With Gladness Sigfrid Karg-Elert
[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 adapted from Psalm 29
[Psalm 29 celebrates “the voice of the Lord,” meaning God’s presence, God’s will or desire, and God’s power, evident in all Creation. ]
Leader: Rejoice, O powers of the universe,
rejoice in the glory and strength of God.
All: God’s voice thunders over the mighty waters,
wonderful and majestic.
God’s power splinters cedars;
God’s presence flashes like fire
and shakes whole nations.
And over the flood is God, ruling forever.
God, bless us with your Spirit and your peace.
* SONG O God, Our Help in Ages Past Blue hymnal # 117 vv. 1, 3, 6
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
___________We Attend to the Word___________
THE WORD IN SONG
8:15: Morning Has Broken Heather Fernald
10:30: Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized arr. Kenneth Lowenberg
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of love, as Christ was baptized and you spoke your blessing, immerse us now in your Word, claim us with your grace, and lead us by your Spirit, in the name of Christ. Amen.
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 43.1-4a
[God promises, “I have redeemed you. When you go through any struggles they will not overwhelm you: for I love you and I will be with you.” ]
Thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior
and you are precious in my sight, and honored,
and I love you.
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GOSPEL Luke 3.15-17, 21-22
[When Jesus is baptized God says, “You are my Son, my beloved. With you I am well pleased.” This is a composite quote of Psalm 2.7, a reference to a Messiah king; and Isaiah 42.1, a reference to God’s servant who endures suffering in order to bring about God’s will.]
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
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SERMON
SONG When Jesus Was Baptized Steve G-H
When Jesus was baptized, John said to repent,
and follow the Righteous One whom God had sent.
So wash us, dear God, and create us anew,
born fresh from your Word and living wholly in you.
When Jesus was baptized in water that flow,
he sank in the Source of what makes all things grow.
So, held in Creation, renewed and made one,
we swim in the grace f your life-giving Son.
When Jesus was baptized in light like a dove
your Spirit came down and you filled him with love.
So give us your Spirit; let all that we do
be you living in us as we live in you.
When Jesus was baptized you spoke from above,
saying “You are my servant, my dear whom I love.”
So help us to hear you speak love when you call,
and as your Beloved share freely with all.
________Baptism & Baptismal renewal _________
Introduction
Pastor: Sisters and brothers in Christ:
through the sacrament of baptism
God brings us into Christ’s holy church,
makes us part of the salvation of the world,
and gives us new birth through water and the Spirit.
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 Aidia and Magdalena
and to bathe them in your love for them.
Pastor: We come to this water as a community.
All: We come to this water
to renew our love as sisters and brothers,
and to renew our baptism
in the death and resurrection of Christ
Profession of Faith
Pastor: 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?
People: 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 proclaim the good news
and live as disciples of Jesus Christ, his 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, their parents and mentors, nurture these people in Christ’s holy church?
Parents and mentors: By teaching and example we will guide them
to accept God’s grace, to grow in faith, and to lead a Christian life.
The Vows of the People
Will you, the Body of Christ, be living witnesses to the gospel,
individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?
All: We will remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church
and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.
Will you nurture one another in living the faith through the church
and include Adia and Magdalena in your care?
With God’s help we will embody the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will surround them with faith, hope and love
that they may grow in grace and faith
and learn to trust God and live in loving service in the world.
We will pray for them and walk with them
on their journey of discipleship among us.
Will you live in harmony with the Christian faith
as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
We affirm and teach the faith of the whole church,
as we put our trust in God, the Father and Mother,
in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son,
and in the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Thanksgiving over the Water
The Spirit of the Lord is among us.
The blessing of the Lord is upon us!
Let us pray. Almighty, gentle 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
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 the one who receives it,
that claimed by your Word, nourished in your grace,
washed from all sin and borne by your Spirit,
he may live in freedom, trust and courage,
sharing in the eternal life of Christ.
8:15: Magdalena and Aidia, you are God’s Beloved,
in whom God is well pleased.
Sisters and brothers, 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!
8:15 Baptism of Aidia and Magdalena Fernald
…
Let us welcome our new sisters in Christ.
Aidia and Magalena, Children 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.
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
Members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care.
Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope and perfect them 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.
AFFIRMATION OF A COVENANT OF PRAYER
COMMISSIONING OF OUR LEADERS
* SONG Take My Life, and Let It Be Blue hymnal #399
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
RESPONSE: This is my prayer. All: This is our prayer.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
PASSING THE PEACE
______We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
OFFERING OUR GIFTS Come, Holy Spirit Wm. & Gloria Gaither, arr: Fred Bock
* OFFERING SONG Doxology Blue hymnal # 95
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. Send us now as your Body, baptized in your Spirit, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG Alleluia Black hymnal # 2014
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE Please stand and sing to your 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 Lobe Den Herren Max Reger
[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]