SERVICE FOR THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD SUNDAY

                                                   January 10, 2010, 10:30 a.m.

 

                                                   GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

 

IN SILENCE                                                                                                   from Patricia Hampl, Virgin Time

          Silence speaks, the contemplatives say. But really, I think, silence sorts.

          An ordering instinct sends people into the hush where the voice can be heard.

 

OPENING SENTENCE                                                                              Psalm 29:2 (NRSV)

            Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name;

                 Worship the Lord in holy splendor.

 

PRELUDE                        Settings on Two American Folk Hymns                           W. Held

                                                    Beach Spring – Land of Rest

 

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHORAL CALL TO WORSHIP AND LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE  

 

*CALL TO WORSHIP & PRAYER FOR GOD’S PRESENCE

                                                                                                                     from Neal E. Lloyd, Praying Out Loud

 

          Come, worship the God whose Spirit settled upon Jesus at his baptism;

               and whose voice was heard to proclaim that Jesus as God’s beloved.

 

          God, descend and dwell upon us,

               so that we experience some sense that your Spirit is also with us.

 

*HYMN # 292                                                                        All Beautiful the March of Days

 

*CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE                                           on Luke 3:15-17 & 21-22/wrl

 

            Lord Jesus, who went to the Jordan to be baptized:

                 like you, we are between a wilderness and a promise

                       to which in baptism you call us.

We confess that we lose our way to the promise,

     and confuse your way with what we want to do

            or what some other authority tells us is right.

 

Forgive us for breaking our trust in you, and yours in us;

     for breaking faith with those who love us, and with neighbors we are to love.

Call and claim us again for obedience and mercy; in Jesus’ name.

                                           (time for silent personal prayer)  Amen.

 

*ASSURANCE OF PARDON                                                                  from Isaiah 43:1 & 3

 

            Now says the Lord, who created and formed you, “You are mine.”

            When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

            Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

            I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

                  Thank God who delivers us from death and redeems us from wrong,

                  whose name we know, to whom we ever belong.

 

*THE PEACE

The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

                 And also with you.

                                 (worshipers exchange words and gestures of peace)

 

                                                   PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

 

LESSON FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT                                           Acts 8:14-17 (NRSV)

 

ANTHEM                                    Who Would Send a Baby?                   M. K. Beall/J. Carter

 

WORD WITH THE YOUNG

 

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON                                                                            Isaiah 43: 1-7

 

SERMON                                                                    “Lord, are we yours? Or, are you ours?”

 

                                                         RESPOND TO GOD

 

CALL TO OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD’S PURPOSES

            OFFERTORY      For the Bread Which You Have Broken                         L. Larson

 

                                           SEAL THE WORD IN SACRAMENT

 

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING                                                           Hymnal p. 13

     The Lord be with you….

                Response # 581                                                                       Holy, Holy, Holy Lord

     You are holy, O God….  Let us declare the mystery of faith.

                Christ has died.  Christ is risen.  Christ will come again.

     Eternal God, send your Spirit….  Amen.

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

               *THE LORD’S PRAYER (traditional)                                                  Hymnal p. 16

BREAKING BREAD AND SHARING THE CUP

                   (Giving the bread, worshipers may say, “the body of Christ for you;”

                             sharing the cup, “the cup of blessing in Christ for you.”)

 

                                                        GO IN GOD’S NAME

 

*HYMN # 508                                                           For the Bread Which You Have Broken

 

*CHARGE & BLESSING

 

*CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE # 588                                                                  Amen

 

POSTLUDE                                        Allegro Marziale                                          E. Titcomb

                                  (Note that some will be seated and others depart in joy and silence.)

 

                            WE ARE A STEPHEN MINISTRY CONGREGATION

 

                                                        WORSHIP LEADERS

Liturgists

Rev. Michael Ludwig, Joyce Beauvais

Word with theYoung

Rev. Michael Ludwig

Sermon

Rev. William R. Leety

Musical Leadership

Celebration Singers

Chancel Choir

Sarah Shaffer – Choirmaster

Nancy Deeth – Organist/Pianist