Worship Order for Sunday

Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
January 8, 2012
Worship 10:00 am              Sunday School 11:10am
 

The voice of the Lord is over the waters…
(Psalm 29:3a)

  Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)          "I sing the mighty power of God"         46
  Announcements
  Prelude

*Call to Worship (in word and action)                   Genesis 1:1-5

*Hymn                                  "Morning has broken"                                    648

*Opening Prayer (ends with Lord's prayer)

  Scripture                                    Mark 1:4-11      (Contemporary English Version)

  For Children                    "Water, Dove, Voice"

  Hymn                                   "Wade in the water"                                     446

  Sharing a joy, a concern, a word of testimony or praise
                                 (please be brief, and aware of God's listening presence)

  Hymn (just hum)                  "Wade in the water"                                     446

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                     Acts 19:1-7

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory Video                  "Baptism of our Lord"
                                        (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

  Hymn                                "Holy Spirit, truth divine"                                 508

  Scripture                                       Psalm 29

  Message                                 "Giving Voice"

*Hymn                                     "My life flows on"                                      580

*Benediction 

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship
(in word and action)
Genesis 1:1-5

Please rise as you are able, and join me in speaking the first four verses of the Bible. Repeat them after me and do as I do. Through these words and actions, allow yourself to be called into worship.

In the beginning
            (hands cupped together)

when God created
            (hands reaching to the ceiling)

the heavens
            (hands spreading out to all the ceiling)

and the earth,
            (hands spreading out to all the floor)

the earth was a formless void
            (hands face down moving apart and back, twice)

and darkness covered the face of the deep,
            (hands cover face, fingers separated)

while a wind from God swept
            (hands move rapidly outward, as if blown)

over the face of the waters.
            (hands face down moving apart and back, twice)

Then God said, “Let there be light”;
            (hold pointer finger of one high like a candle)

and there was light.
            (lift second hand with pointer finger high)

And God saw
            (look from one hand to the other)

that the light was good;
            (nod)

and God separated the light

            (hold both hands/pointer fingers skyward)

from the darkness.
            (put one hand over the other on a shoulder)

God called the light Day,
            (both hands/pointer fingers skyward)

and the darkness he called Night.
            (one hand over the other on shoulder)

And there was evening
            (hands remain on shoulder)

and there was morning,
            (both hands/pointer fingers skyward)

the first day.
            (hold one hand/pointer finger up, chest level)

text from the New Revised Standard Version,
copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
  

Opening Prayer
(ends with Lord's prayer)

Beloved's Parent:
grace is the gift
which flows to us
from your heart;
joy is the seed planted
deep within our souls,
that it might blossom
into lives of service to all.
And we cry: "Glory!"

Servant of sinners:
you emerge from baptism's water,
to embrace us in your hopes;
you take our fears from us
and toss them aside
as you lead us into your kingdom;
you shine the Light
which brings us out
of despair's shadows.
And we cry: "Glory!"

Wind upon the water:
you move among us
sweeping aside our petty pride,
and offering us the gifts
of humility and servanthood.
You whisper of your yearning
for peace and reconciliation,
until it silences our angry voices
and unclenches our fisted hearts.
And we cry:  "Glory!"

God in Community, Holy in One,
we lift our voices as your Beloved teaches,
Our Father . . .

by Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
  

For Children
"Water, Dove, Voice"

Before reading this morning’s gospel story, I’d like the children to join me up front….   Welcome! I’m so glad you are here today on this second Sunday of 2012. In the church year, this is sometimes called “Baptism of our Lord Sunday.” Why do you think that is? On this day we read the story of when Jesus was baptized. That is something we do a lot in church – we read the Bible. I know it can be boring to listen to people read, especially when it’s not a picture book. But it’s important. And because you are important to us, I’ve invited you to sit with me as I read this story. I want you to close your eyes and listen. What pictures do you see in your mind as I read it? After I’m finished, I’ll ask about what you heard, and maybe saw in your mind’s eye. Maybe the adults could close their eyes, too, and do the same thing. Okay. You ready? Let’s begin.

            4So John the Baptist showed up in the desert and told everyone, "Turn back to God and be baptized! Then your sins will be forgiven."
            5From all Judea and Jerusalem crowds of people went to John. They told how sorry they were for their sins, and he baptized them in the Jordan River.
            6John wore clothes made of camel's hair. He had a leather strap around his waist and ate grasshoppers and wild honey.
            7John also told the people, "Someone more powerful is going to come. And I am not good enough even to stoop down and untie his sandals. 8I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"
            9About that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky open and the Holy Spirit coming down to him like a dove. 11A voice from heaven said, "You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you."

Mark 1:4-11 from the Contemporary English Version
Copyright © 1995 by
American Bible Society

            Okay, you can open your eyes. Tell me, what happened in this story? [“walk” with the children thru it, noting and going with what they heard, asking pertinent questions. Try to see it through their eyes. No moral or point, just the experience of listening together for God to speak. End with a simple prayer that ties together what they have said.]
  

Pastoral Prayer

 

written closer to the time (if not at the moment)

 

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

In the 18th chapter of Acts, we hear for the first time about an up-and-coming preacher by the name of Apollos. He was a good speaker and knew the scriptures. However, he was still learning. After listening to him talk in the synagogue in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila took him under their wings to fill in some holes in his theology. In particular, this mentoring couple opened his eyes to the larger picture of baptism, that it is more than just turning from your sins like John the Baptist preached. It involves being empowered to walk the walk of discipleship by the very presence of God in the Holy Spirit.

As the 19th chapter of Acts starts out, the apostle Paul comes to Ephesus and completes the message of Apollos, filling in the gaps. Please note that Paul is not here calling for two baptisms, but rather for a new beginning that involves both water and Spirit. Listen.

(read Acts 19:1-7)

            It wasn’t a large group – just “twelve of them.” However, that was enough. They were beside Paul when he later spoke in the synagogue, where he was met with stubborn resistance. They stayed with him when he then went out into the public and shared the way of Jesus and healed the sick. It wasn’t a large group, but it was enough. That whole area, called Galatia, was set on fire.

            We are more than twelve gathered here in Jesus’ name. And that, like in Ephesus, is enough. Through water and Spirit, we are empowered by God and given all that we need to walk the walk of faith. Along the way of Jesus some interesting, even amazing, things happen. Are you willing? … As the ushers receive our offerings, let’s remember (or anticipate) our own baptism. 

(video - below)

  

Offertory Video
"Baptism of our Lord"

 
  

Benediction

The voice of the Lord is over the waters…
  
We have heard this voice,
      on human lips in scriptures read
                           and prayers prayed,
      in word and music
            as well as in silence,
      in the imagination of children
            and the deep calling of the Spirit within.
God has given voice to
      a new creation,
      a cosmic coronation of the beloved Son;
            a voice of power and glory and peace.
And God has given us a voice.
  
In Christ Jesus,
      you are God’s beloved children.
Give voice to your baptism this week,
            brothers and sisters.
Show and tell of abundant life,
            sisters and brothers.
And may the One who said,
                         “let there be light,”
      shine upon your path
            and give you the courage
                  to walk in the way.
  

(para traducir a español, presione la bandera de España)

 

Interested in Sunday School?
Below is a growing list of possible sites to visit. As you discover others, please let us know.

International Lesson:
Faith and Life Resources

Mennonite Publishing House

International Lesson:
Mennonite Weekly Review

(scroll down on left to "Sunday School lessons)

International Lesson:
Christian Standard
(one week ahead)

International Lesson:
Adult Bible Studies
from The United Methodist Publishing House
(click "supplemental resources" and "current events supplement" under both the "Student" and "Teacher" sections in the left hand column)

International Lesson:
International Bible Lesson
a weekly column by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.
in "The Oklahoman" newspaper
also found
here

International Lesson:
Living Web Sunday School Project

While one of our adult classes follows the International lesson above (see also), using
A Guide for Biblical Studies,
published quarterly by our denomination,
another class often uses one of the
Good Ground series.

For children and youth, we use the new
Gather Round curriculum
(developed jointly by the Church of the Brethren and the Mennonite Church)

 

©2012 Peter L. Haynes
(unless otherwise stated, worship resources were written by him)

 

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