January 8, 2023
Introit: Out of Deep, Unordered Water
Kaan/Parry
Betsy Hammond
Call to Worship
[Psalm 29, Luke 3:21-22]
The voice of God resounds upon the water.
The Spirit of the Lord hovers over the stream.
The Son of God is named, “Beloved.”
And all who worship shout out, “Glory!”
Ascribe to the Lord majesty and strength.
Let us worship God in holy splendor.
Let us worship the LORD!
Come Sing, O Church, in Joy! (Hymn 430)
Darwall/Dill
Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church, in song!
For Christ the Lord has led us through the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
Long years have come and gone, and still God reigns supreme,
Empowering us to catch the vision, dream the dream!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
Let courage be our friend, let wisdom be our guide,
As we in mission magnify the Crucified!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
Come sing, O church, in joy! Come join, O church, in song!
For Christ the Lord has triumphed o’er the ages long!
In bold accord, come celebrate the journey now and praise the Lord!
Confession
Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us part of the body of Christ. Forgive us when we forget that we are your beloved. Forgive us when we fail to act for justice. You who give breath and spirit to all of creation, give us courage to throw open the windows to newness and growth. Lead us into this new year with a renewed sense of your presence and purpose. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Silence
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Robinson
Come, Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love!
O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee:
Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
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
Scripture in Song:
Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized (Hymn 70)
Tucker/Scottish Psalter 1635
Betsy Hammond
Christ, when for us You were baptized, God’s Spirit on You came,
As peaceful as a dove and yet as urgent as a flame.
God called you “My beloved Son,” the suffering servant true,
Sent You the kingdom to proclaim, God’s holy will to do.
Straightway and steadfast until death You then obeyed God’s call
Freely as Son of Man to serve and give Your life for all.
Baptize us with Your Spirit, Lord, Your cross on us be signed,
That, likewise in God’s service, we may perfect freedom find.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Karen Bart
Old Testament: Isaiah 42:1-9
New Testament: Matthew 3:11, 13-1
Sermon – The Way of Jesus: The Purpose and The Power
Woody Garvin
Focus: Through the baptism of John the Baptist - Jesus finds his calling, the same way we can find our calling too.
Response: Called as Partners in Christ’s Service (Hymn 343)
Zundel/Huber
Called as partners in Christ’s service, called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment, fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring to fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring, Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer, all God’s people, young and old,
Blending human skills together, gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ’s mission, in a small or global sense,
Help us bear each other’s burdens, breaking down each wall or fence.
Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge, said with care,
Bring new power and strength for action, make us colleagues, free and fair.
So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow with a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living, our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving hope and confidence and peace.
Pastoral Prayer & The 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, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Rick Lanphear
All flesh shall see the salvation of God. -Luke 3:6
Offering Our Gifts: He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands
Barr
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: Fugue
Beckwith
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