Worship - January 10, 2010

“But now, thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...”

New Revised Standard Version ©1989, Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.

Please rise in body or in spirit, and respond to this promise by singing of the mighty power of God, #46 in your hymnal.

Opening Prayer

O God, we trust in your power to create, to sustain, to enable. But we could not trust if we did not know that you are always near. Be with us, Lord, as we are gathered here to worship you. Help us not to check our minds or our hearts at the door, but enable us to bring all that we are to you, so that we might experience your touch upon all aspects of our life. We pray this because of, and in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please be seated.

Gospel Reading - Luke 3:15-18, 21-22

In the Christian calendar, many churches celebrate today as “Baptism of Christ” Sunday. The Gospel reading relates to the day when Jesus himself went to the river Jordan and was baptized by John. This is a time of beginnings. We just came through Christmas, the celebration of his birth. Ten days ago we began 2010, which we pray will be a good year. Baptism is likewise a beginning. Several months ago, I took that step, following Jesus. Let’s turn together to the story of Jesus’ baptism as told by Luke. You’ll note that I’m leaving out a few verses, because they tell about John getting arrested after all this baptizing. Listen to the story.

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

New Revised Standard Version ©1989, Division of Christian Education
of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.

Pastoral Prayer

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

A Time with Children

Our resident storyteller, "Mr. Ed," will share some time with our little ones.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

All of us need “motivation,” that which causes us to get up and get moving, to do something. We need a “motive,” a reason for acting, or a power that propels us forward. The word, “motive,” comes from an old French word we still use in English – “motif.” A “motif” is a theme that gets repeated over and over, such that it sinks from the head to the heart.

As you return your offering, ponder what theme is being repeated in your life, what motif is moving not just your head but also your heart, what motivating power is guiding not just your heart but also your hands and feet.

Make your act of giving a personal prayer to the One who is the source of your truest motivation, the power behind what you do that=s right, the real theme that moves your life in Christ…. Will the ushers come forward and help us to live out our “motif” through the giving of our tithes and offerings?

Reflection

As we gather around this communion table, we share a common language.
Our language points beyond itself,
            beyond ourselves,
                        to the God we serve;
                        to the Christ we confess;
                        to the Spirit that empowers us.
It is language that is washed in the waters of baptism.
It is language that dares take life from a cross.
It is language that has a home in the Sermon on the Mount.
It is language that relishes the paradox of a servant Lord.
It is language empowered by an empty tomb.
It is language that overflows with:
            Grace and Forgiveness
            Redemption and Salvation
            Healing and Wholeness
            Love and Relationship
            Peace and Justice.
It is the language embodied in communion -- the language of the bread and cup.
It is a radically inclusive language; it is for all of us to speak
            even as all of us are invited to partake of these elements.
May our lives find their center in this language
            and may we speak it fluently throughout our days.

Unison Prayer of Blessing

Ever-present God,
       in Christ Jesus you never leave or forsake us.
Teach us to be faithful to your call,
    to persevere in commitment,
      and beyond all else,
    to know the strength and joy
      of being near to you,
      in the name of our Savior. AMEN

Benediction

Go now, confident that you are God’s
........precious and pleasing children.
Trust in God and do not fear.
Accept the Word of God
and point others to the one who baptises with Spirit and fire.

And may God be your protection and your strength;
May Christ baptise you with his Holy Spirit.
And may the Spirit be with you
........to empower you and give you peace.