Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Long Green & Kanes Rds., near Glen Arm, Md.
January 13, 2013
Worship 10:00 am          Sunday School 11:10am

   Beginning with Praise (9:50 am)         "When the morning stars together"         34
  Announcements
  Prelude

   Call to Worship                            Psalm 29

*Hymn                                  "O worship the King"                                       66

*Opening Prayer

  Returning our Tithes and Offerings                     Acts 8:14-17

  Offertory              (Please sign the attendance pad and pass it on)

*Response                 (vs. 1) "Breathe on me, breath of God"                         356

*Dedication

  Scripture                                    Isaiah 43:1-7

  For Children               "I have called you by name"

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

  Hymn                     (vs. 2-4) "Breathe on me, breath of God"                      356

  Pastoral Prayer

  Scripture                                   Luke 3:15-22

  Message                       "Remember your baptism" (mp3)

*A Responsive Affirmation                                                                         776

*Hymn                      "I was there to hear your borning cry"                    (insert)

*Benediction

*Postlude

*Rise in body or in spirit

#'s are from Hymnal: A Worship Book

Worship leaders - see basic guidelines

Call to Worship

             Psalm 29 is a summons to praise. However, as it begins, those who are being summoned are angels and other heavenly beings. It is only toward the end of this psalm of praise that God’s people are called into worship. This can serve as a reminder to us that worship is not just about what we do. Our adoration and praise is a response to the splendor of heaven. Imagine, if you will, a thunderstorm, for that is the setting of this psalm. Yes, we are in the middle of winter, but with 60 degree temperatures this weekend, thunderstorm are not out of the realm of possibility.

             Let’s add some sound effects. Follow me as we listen for the approach of a storm. (the rubbing palms together, snapping fingers, patting thighs exercise) Now keep doing this as I read the Psalm. Whenever I say these words: “the voice of the Lord,” please stomp your feet. As you do, imagine the flash of lightning and the sound of thunder.

             Shall we enter into God’s presence with awe and wonder?

             “O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing his power and his love…”
                        #66 in your hymnal.
                                    Rise in body or spirit and sing “Glory!”

scriptue 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.
    
idea derived from both  Carolyn C. Brown and Bruce Prewer via Moira B Laidlaw.
    

Opening Prayer

             We praise you, our sovereign "king," greater than any earthly ruler, and our "shield and defender" in times of trouble. As we have just sung, you are our "maker," our "redeemer," and even our "friend" in Christ Jesus. We may not fully grasp what it means for you to be "pavilioned in splendor," or what your "chariots of wrath" are all about. We just trust in your "tender" and "firm" "mercy," as well as your faithfulness to us even as we are still learning how to be people of faith in response. Forgive our stumbling attempts, and teach us day by day what it means to trust in your promises as we seek to keep our own. Bless this time of worship with your Spirit’s presence. In your name, Amen.

reused from 8/8/10
  

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

             From the story of the early church, we hear of how the good news of Jesus could not be limited to only those who were thought to be chosen. Recall how last week during worship we were visited in scripture by those “wise men from the east,” who were from a different culture and religion than Mary and Joseph. Beyond gold, frankincense and myrrh, their gift was in how they revealed that Christ is for all people everywhere. As you listen to the following scripture, remember that when this happened, most “good” Jews – the original apostles included – would not have considered it possible for there to be a “good” Samaritan, so deep was the hatred and distrust between these people. But God operates in a different way, and on a different timetable. Let those who have ears, hear!

14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

             What a gift, shared between people who once were enemies! God was moving, even before baptism, among those Samaritans, and prayer led to the birth of a Samaritan church. As you return your offering just now, imagine what might happen as we open ourselves to the movement of God’s Spirit among persons we may consider lost causes.

Ushers? Please come and receive our offerings.

scriptue 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.
  

Dedication

             We thank you, Lord, for your Spirit which lives within us, our very life-breath. You constantly surprise us with how deep and wide and tall is your love for all people, everywhere – even those whom we might consider a lost cause. Remind us that someone may have thought of us in the same way at some point. But, “Glory, hallelujah!” you are God and we are not! We return these offerings with gratitude, in Jesus’ name. Amen
  

For Children
“I have called you by name”

             What is your whole name? That’s your first name, middle name, and last name? I like it. Do you? Your name is important. Nine years ago, on January 11, 2004, Beth, I spoke your full name in front of all these people. Holding you in my arms, I said,

             I said the same thing on May 14, 2006, only I spoke the name, Charles Oliver Braun, as I held you in my arms, Charles. I don’t know for sure, but I have a hunch that something along those lines was said in Idaho for you, Courtney and Erin, when you were dedicated.

            The day will come when I (or another minister) will again speak the full name of each of you, and say something like this, “    (name)    , upon your confession of faith made before God and these people, you are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

            Name are important. Long ago, the prophet Isaiah spoke to God’s people, using the name of their ancestor, Jacob, who was renamed Israel. They were at that point far away from home, prisoners in a distant land. Speaking for God, Isaiah said, “Don’t be afraid, for I have set you free.” Then he went on to say, “I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1e).

            “I have called you by name, you are mine.” Can you imagine God saying that to you?

“I have called you by name, ___________, you are mine”

             Maybe those words could be helpful for you at times when you are afraid, or sad, or lonely, or when you have to do something really hard, and you don’t know if you can do it. Maybe as you take in a deep breath, you could remember God saying to you, “I have called you by name.” And as you let go your breath, you could hear in your mind God saying, “you are mine.” Let’s try that. Breathe in - “I have called you by name.” Breathe out - “you are mine.” Do it again. Again.

            That’s a prayer, only it’s God who is speaking. Remember it. 

uses an idea suggested by Carolyn C. Brown,
 an absolutely great resource!
     

Pastoral Prayer

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

A Responsive Affirmation

Leader:  God, our deliverer,
                 we remember how, by your loving hand,
                 you led the sons and daughters of Abraham and Sarah
                     through the deep waters from bondage to freedom
                     and marked them a holy people
                         through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

People: We rejoice that in the fullness of time
                  you gave us Jesus, the child of Mary and Joseph,
                      your beloved Son, our Lord and Christ.

Leader:  We remember John baptizing him in the water of the Jordan,
                  the Spirit descending upon him like a dove,
                  and the offering of himself to free us from sin and death
                       and to lead us to everlasting life.

People: We thank you that by the washing with water
                      and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
                  we are baptized into the covenant of your grace,
                      made one with Christ and his church,
                      and commissioned to show forth his love in word and deed. AMEN      

Leader:  Once we were no people!

People: Now we are God's people!

ALL:    Blessing and honor and glory and power
                  be unto our God forever and ever!   

Hymnal #776
adapted from Worship Vessels: Resources for Renewal,
by F. Russell Mitman, Harper & Row,
San Francisco, Calif., copyright © 1987
  

Benediction

Remember this week whose you are.  And remember,
   “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.” 
Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God!

written by the Rev. Dr. David Bahr,
pastor of Park Hill UCC in Denver, Colorado. 
From Worship Ways, UCC,
Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved