* Those who are able, please stand.
Tolling of the Bell
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Opening Prayer Cathy Grimes
God of life and new life, you are splendid and strong! Your voice thunders above the sound of loud waters. As Jesus heard you speak to him in his baptism, may we also hear you calling us your beloved, through Jesus Christ, your son, our brother. Amen.
Prelude Christopher Bunch
*Call to Worship (Responsive)
In the beginning, at creation, the Spirit hovered over the waters of the deep.
In the waters of the flood, God cleansed the earth and humankind.
God caused the waters to part so that Israel could cross from slavery to liberation.
God formed Jesus in the waters of Mary’s womb.
Jesus taught us how to live by washing his disciples’ feet in water.
Drinking water from a well, Jesus met a Samaritan woman, the first person to recognize that he was the Christ. Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus, the Christ. Praise be!
*Hymn O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing #610
Prayer for New Beginnings (Unison) Cathy Grimes
Creator God, you immerse us in love through the waters of baptism. You are love in motion: always breathing us into being, calling us to serve, sustaining us in the wilderness. Come to us this holy day as we celebrate the baptism of your Son. Come to us this holy day as we remember our baptism. Saturate what has grown dry and brittle in our hearts until we follow you with abandon, for we pray in the name of the Son you sent and through the Spirit that gives us life. Amen
*Passing of the Peace
The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
*Congregational Response In My Life #468 v.1,4
In my life, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In my life, Lord, be glorified today,
In your world, Lord, be glorified; be glorified.
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
Prayer for Illumination Cathy Grimes
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 daughters and sons. Amen
Old Testament Reading Isaiah 42:1-9 Cathy Grimes
Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
Word in Music Christopher Bunch
Gospel Reading Matthew 3:13-17 Rev. Jeff Sockwell
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Sermon Rev. Jeff Sockwell
*Hymn Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice #163
*Affirmation of Faith (Unison) Brief Statement of Faith
We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayers of the People / Lord’s Prayer
… 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, the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Invitation to the Offering
All creation teems with the abundance of God’s provision: mountains and hills, fruit trees and cedars, creeping things and flying birds! Our own lives bear witness to the abundance of God’s love and mercy, for God has lifted us up and carried us in our need. In joyful praise, we offer to God a portion of all we have received.
Offering
Offertory
*Doxology #606
Prayer Of Dedication
In this gifting season, O God, we are grateful for the gift of your dear Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Receive, we pray, these offerings we bring. May they be used in the service of your grace and truth dwelling among us. In Christ’s holy name we pray. Amen.
*Hymn Jesus Shall Reign #265
*Blessing
May the God who called Jesus “beloved” speak blessing to you, beloved sons and daughters, and empower you to bring that good news to others who desperately need to hear it.
Postlude Christopher Bunch