January 7, 2024
Prelude: In the Beginning
A Biblical Poem for Tuba and Organ (Gen. 1:1-5)
Callahan
Leonard and Helen Byrne
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 29]
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
Let us worship the LORD!
Down to Earth, As a Dove (Hymn 300)
Kaan/Piae Cantiones
Down to earth, as a dove, came to light holy love:
Jesus Christ from above bringing great salvation meant for every nation.
Refrain:
Let us sing, sing, sing, dance and spring, spring, spring,
Christ is here, ever-near! Gloria in excelsis.
This is love come to light, now is fear put to flight.
God defeats darkest night, giving for our sorrows hope of new tomorrows.
(refrain)
Christ the Lord comes to feed hungry people in need;
In the house there is bread: Jesus in a stable, in the church a table.
(refrain)
Confession
When you began to create, O God, you separated the light from the darkness and called it good. Knowing the darkness in our world and even in our own hearts, we are hungry for your light. Forgive us for becoming disconnected from you and others and trying to make do on our own. In baptism, create us again. Separate us from that which keeps us from living as you intend. Help us trust your love when your plans go beyond our understanding, and lead us into this new year with a renewed sense of your presence. Amen.
Silence
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Hymn 276)
Runyan/Chisholm
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
Out of Deep, Unordered Water (Hymn 494)
Parry/Kaan
Out of deep, unordered water God created light and land,
World of bird and beast and, later, in God’s image, woman, man.
Refrain:
There is water in the river bringing life to tree and plant.
Let creation praise its giver: there is water in the font.
Water on the human forehead, birthmark of the love of God,
Is the sign of death and rising; through the seas there runs a road. (refrain)
Standing round the font reminds us of the Hebrews’ climb ashore.
Life is hallowed by the knowledge: God has been this way before. (refrain)
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Jay Stafstrom
Old Testament: Genesis 1:1-5
New Testament: Mark 1:1-4, 9-11
Homily: Dancing Your Faith
Rev. Woody Garvin
Focus: The baptism of Jesus invites us into a life of loving relationships.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Music: I Danced in the Morning (Hymn 302)
American Shaker melody/Carter
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth;
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Refrain:
Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said He.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow Me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with Me and the dance went on. (refrain)
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
And left me there on a cross to die.
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried My body and they thought I’d gone:
But I am the dance and I still go on. (refrain)
They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that will never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in Me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He. (refrain)
Communion Prayer
Call to Stewardship
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. -Luke 2:52
Offering: When Jesus Came to Jordan
Mehrtens
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Allegro
Bach, arr. Thompson
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