by Ronald D. Beachley,
executive Western Pennsylvania District
Hollsopple, Pennsylvania
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"
    

Unison Confession

         Please be seated, and turn with me to #128 in our hymnal. These words are taken from the 51^st Psalm, a plea to God for a clear conscience. The Bible links them to King David, saying that he wrote them after the prophet Nathan had confronted him about his affair with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband.

         While our sins may not be the same as those of that Old Testament monarch, we also - too easily and often - fall short of what God created us to be. Like David, we need to turn to God in repentance. Spend a few moments in silence just now and examine yourself. What have you done this past week that shouldn’t have? How about that which you should have done, but didn’t? If you have sinned against another person, ponder how - with God’s help - you might make it right. Prepare the way of the Lord in your heart. (Silence - approx. 60 seconds)

         Now, let’s read (not sing) together the words to hymn #128. Then we’ll sing the hymn right before it, "Glory be to the Father" (#127), remembering how God forgives and revives us when we turn to him.

1. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
2. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
3. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free Spirit.

Response (sing) "Glory be to the Father" #127
   

For Children
"Through the waters"
Mark 1:9-11

         Good morning! The story we just heard from the Bible today talks about the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Do you remember what happened two weeks ago in church, right back there? Two persons were baptized, just like Jesus was baptized. What does it mean to be baptized? Well, it means a lot of things, and today we’re going to explore some of what baptism means for us. I need your help, cause we’re not just talk about it, we’re going to "act" these things out. Will you help? Great! To start with, everybody lie down on the floor and get into a little ball.

         You’re getting it - pretend you’re a little baby, waiting to be born (like the babies growing inside little Ethan’s or Michael’s mommies). The Bible tells us that one of the things baptism means is that we are born again as children of God’s family. Okay, stand up now and pretend you are washing, as if you are taking a shower. The Bible also says that baptism means we are washed clean of all our sin and made ready to go to work for God. Is everybody clean? Okay, now we need to pretend we’re dead! Everybody lie down on the floor and act like you’re dead. (If one of the children doesn’t want to, don’t force)

         It does sound a little scary, but the Bible says that when we’re baptized we die to sin. In other words, we don’t want to do bad things any more. I guess what we’re really doing is burying the bad, sinful part of ourselves. Everyone had enough of being dead?

         Well, let’s jump up, because baptism also means that we are going to rise from the dead just like Jesus did. What do you think Jesus looked like when he came back to life. .... Yes, all those things. Let’s raise our arms real high — not just because we are rising from the dead, but because we want to praise King Jesus. Let’s have a prayer of thanks for all of the things baptism means — especially for new life with Jesus.

adapted from Welcoming the Children,
by Brant D. Baker
(other scriptures - Matthew 1:18-24; 1 Peter 3:21-22;
Mark 10:35-45; Colossians 2:11-12; Romans 6:8-11)  

Returning our Tithes and Offerings
(refers to Genesis 9:8-17)

         Remember the story of Noah. After the ark passed through the flood, and the waters receded, a rainbow appeared in the sky, and God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations... When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." (pause)

         What sign of your end of the covenant with God is visible today?... As you return your offering, think about the promises you have made to God. Don’t just put money in the plate as it is passed. Allow your offering to be a reminder to you of your covenant with the Lord. Remember the waters of baptism.

         Will the ushers now come forward to serve....