Service for Baptism of the Lord Sunday

January 7, 2007: 10:30 a.m.

 

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE                                          Brightest and Best                                             J. Rasley

                                                               We Three Kings                                               L. Smith

                                                            What Star Is This?                                              F. Ritter

 

WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS & REGISTRATION

           

*CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                                   from Colossians 3:16-17 (JB)

(See Insert)

 

*HYMN # 67                                                    Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                            on Colossians 3: 13b (BCW)/wrl

The apostle writes:  “Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you.”

                 Lord, as often as we’ve been forgiven, it’s still hard to be forgiving.

                 We nurse grudges,

savor slights and hurts and turn them over in our minds for years,

     remembering how wronged we felt or were.

                 We stand on principle awaiting apology,

                        hoping an offender will beg, at least a little.

                 In the mean times between offense and forgiveness,

                        we are separated from others and from you.

                 Remind us of your forgiveness;

                        And make us more eager to forgive than to be right,

                        through the mercy of Jesus Christ.

(time for silent, personal confession)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF WHOSE WE ARE & THE PEACE 

            How quickly and completely the Lord forgives us!

               Thanks be to God!

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

               Peace be with you.  (worshipers share words and gestures of peace)

 

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

GOSPEL LESSON                                                                           Matthew 1: 18-25 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                      From a Distant Home                                   arr. H. Hopson                             

WORD WITH CHILDREN

 

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON                                                      Colossians 3: 12-17 (NRSV)

 

SERMON                                                    “’The universe is made up of stories, not atoms.’”

    Muriel Rukeyser

 

RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD

 

AN OFFERING TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            Call to Respond

            OFFERTORY                   Tell It on the Mountain                                  arr. L. Larson

 

SEAL THE WORD IN SACRAMENT

 

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

 

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING                                                       Hymnal Pg. 13

                                                                                                    LARGE PRINT Hymnal Pg. 16

RESPONSE # 581                                                                      Holy, Holy, Holy Lord

 

          *RESPONSE # 592                                  Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow

          *THE LORD’S PRAYER (Traditional)                                                      Hymnal Pg. 16

LARGE PRINT Hymnal Pg. 21

 

BREAKING BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP

(Passing bread, worshipers may say, “The bread of life for you;”

Sharing the cup, “The cup of blessing in Christ for you.”

 

DEPART IN GOD’S NAME

*HYMN # 66                                                                              We Three Kings of Orient Are

(All: Sing Refrain Each Time)  

All: Stanza 1

Choir Men: Stanza 2

Women: Stanza 3

Men: Stanza 4

All: Stanza 5

 

*CHARGE AND BLESSING

 

CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE  # 588                                                                    Amen

 

POSTLUDE                          Songs of Thankfulness and Praise                                 L. Smith                  

*Congregation stands as able

Next Week’s Scriptures: Isa. 43: 1-7; Ps. 29; Acts 8: 14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

 

WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists 

Rev. Jonathan C. Siehl

Sermon

Reverend William R. Leety

Word with Children

Jonathan Siehl

Musical Leadership

                                                                              Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer, Director

Nancy Deeth, Organist/Pianist