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Baptism of the Lord
01/11/2025 - 10:30 pm
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CENTERING MUSIC “Jesus, I Come” Greg Thompson
MOMENT OF HOPE
CALL TO WORSHIP - from Ann Weems: January’s Song
One: There is a rumor on the streets that Christmas is over.
Light and ornaments are packed away,
Tress dragged to the curb,
People back to business as usual.
We’re no longer in the party mood;
The humbugging is back in vogue.
People: This is January…
How can Christmas be over?!
The Child is just newborn,
The song of Peace and Goodwill
Still rings in our ears
The shepherds and sages still kneel
To this One who is born to us…
Just born to us!
One: How can Christmas be over??
The story of the gospel is just beginning.
We who saw the Star now live in its Light.
We who saw and heard now believe.
People: Christmas is not over.
We’re just beginning to follow the One
Who calls us now to
Live in the Light of Love.
Christmas is not over.
It’s just beginning
And this is January’s song!!
*HYMN #488 I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell."
When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun."
In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise."
"I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
PRAYER CONFESSING OUR NEED FOR GOD’S GRACE:
(Moment of Silence)
SONG OF RENEWAL #155 Raise a Song of Gladness
Raise a song of Gladness, peoples of the earth.
Christ has come, bringing peace, joy to every heart.
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!
Alleluia, alleluia, joy to every heart!
CELEBRATION OF GOD’S GRACE
One: God grants us new life, and God always wishes for deeper relationships with each of us. God is there for us this day and every day. Thanks be to God
All: Amen.
*PASSING THE PEACE
Leader: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And with you also.
Leader: Let us pass the peace of Christ.
People: The peace of Christ be with you. (To one another)
SPECIAL MUSIC “Benedictus” by Max Reger
Dale Scovill on Organ
BLESSING THE CHILDREN AND SINGING TO GODLY PLAY
This Little Light of Mine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Today’s Story “Epiphany”
Kathleen Krentz & Cyndi Sneeringer
Leader: And as we continue our worship…
Congregation: May God be with you there.
Children: May God be with you here.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Leader: God in your Grace,
People: Hear our prayer
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As we pray together the Lord's Prayer, you are invited to say this in whatever version is most comforting and meaningful to you. Here is one possible version (ecumenical version) that you can use:
Our Father, who is in heaven, holy be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Psalm 104:14-16 and John 2:1-11
RESPONSE
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION, from Psalm 19 - responsively
Pastor: May the words of my mouth
People: And the meditations of our hearts
All: Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
Our rock and our redeemer. Amen.
SERMON "The First Miracle" Dr. Rev. Barbara Barkley
MOMENT FOR QUIET REFLECTION
*HYMN OF REFLECTION #489 Wonder of Wonders, Here Revealed
Wonder of wonders, here revealed: God’s covenant with us is sealed,
And long before we know or pray, God’s love enfolds us every day.
Here in this sacrament we see God’s grace unbound, for all for me!
May we respond with joyful praise in loving service all our days.
This child of God, though young or old, we welcome now into Christ’s folk,
To know with us God’s loving care, and all our joys and sorrows share.
Now we our vow of faith renew, stretch wide our sights to global view,
And claim with Christians far and near a larger family held dear.
MOMENT OF THANKS
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
OFFERTORY “Midwinter Song”
by Susan LaBarr, Lyrics by Daniel Elder
*DOXOLOGY
Praise God whose breath fills all the earth
Whose love reveals our sacred worth
Whose Spirit forms one family
Whose grace brings peace and harmony. Amen.
*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
*CLOSING HYMN #475 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing vs. 1, 3
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, let 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.
*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
*POSTLUDE “Wade in The Water” African American Spiritual