Worship - March 24, 2013

by Richard F. Shreckhise
Lancaster, PA Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"

Opening Prayer

Holy God, your love goes beyond all limits. In the passion of your true Son, you take us beyond our highest ideals and beneath our deepest fears. We thank you for the sweet-sour celebration of Palm Sunday; for both the joy and the tears. Foster in us the desire and the will to follow Jesus without reserve, that we may be led into a peace that holds in time of trouble, and into a love that persists far beyond the outer rim of our present understanding. In the name of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen!

by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.

video

Introducing those being baptized

[Invite candidates to come forward with their sponsors, who will then introduce them. When done:]

Today you are being received into this community of faith and into the Church of the Brethren. As part of the whole church of Jesus Christ, we offer you our rich heritage and invite you to share fully in our life and mission.

As you are received into the Long Green Valley Church, we intend to be a true family of faith to you. We commit ourselves to be for you a loving fellowship, to be a means of grace in your life, and to offer opportunities for worship, study, and service. One of the happiest times in our life as a church is when new people choose to become members. We welcome you with joy.

Now, let’s go and prepare.

Returning our Tithes and Offerings

¹O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
              his steadfast love endures forever!
     ²Let Israel say,
            “His steadfast love endures forever.”

¹⁹Open to me the gates of righteousness,
that I may enter through them
and give thanks to the Lord.

²⁰This is the gate of the Lord;
the righteous shall enter through it.

²¹I thank you that you have answered me
       and have become my salvation.
²²The stone that the builders rejected
       has become the chief cornerstone.
²³This is the Lord’s doing;
       it is marvelous in our eyes.
²⁴This is the day that the Lord has made;
       let us rejoice and be glad in it.
²⁵Save us, we beseech you, O Lord!
       O Lord, we beseech you, give us success!

²⁶Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
       We bless you from the house of the Lord.
²⁷The Lord is God,
       and he has given us light.
   Bind the festal procession with branches,
       up to the horns of the altar.

²⁸You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God, I will extol you.

²⁹O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

Please pray with me

We give thanks to you, O Lord, for your love is steadfast and true and eternal. On this day when palms are waved and the cross looms ahead, we prepare to witness the baptismal vows of three of our youth. They are still learning what their promises will mean in the years ahead. So are we. By your grace, help us to be mindful - to seek the mind of Christ. By your steadfast love, help us to be faithful – to follow Jesus our Lord and Savior. May the offerings we are about to give reflect not only our mindfulness and faithfulness, but also your grace and steadfast love. Amen.

Ushers?

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 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.

Baptism

Minister:
Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son and do you receive and trust him as your Savior and Lord?

Candidate:
I do.

Minister:
Will you turn away from all sin and will you endeavor by God's grace to live according to the example and teachings of Jesus?

Candidate:
I will.

Minister:
Will you be loyal to the church, upholding it by your prayers and your presence, your substance and your service?

Candidate:
I will.

_____________, 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.

[As each name of the Trinity is spoken, the minister shall immerse the candidate forward, pushing the head gently and fully into the water. Then, laying both hands upon the head of the kneeling person, the minister shall pray:]

O God, we are thankful for the commitment made today by (name) May (she/he) experience your forgiveness, acceptance, and peace. Send your Holy Spirit upon (her/him) to guide and to empower. Enable (her/him) to walk in newness of life, using (her/his) gifts in praise to you and in service to others. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Then the minister shall help the baptized person rise, extend the hand of Christian fellowship, speak a word of blessing, and assist the person in leaving the water.]

vows are taditional
statement and prayer by Carol A. Wise
from For All Who Minister, ©1993, Brethren Press, p.136-137.

Welcoming and Renewing

Minister:
Please join with me in reading the words of welcome.

Congregation
With joy we receive you as part of thus congregation. With you we renew and reaffirm our vows of faith. We promise to surround you with the love and encouragement that will enable you to grow strong in compassion, vigorous in service, and sure in the way of Christ.

by Carol A. Wise
from For All Who Minister, ©1993, Brethren Press, p.138.

Prayer (end with the Lord’s Prayer)

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

Benediction

Go now, walk with Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem and into our lives and communities. Follow him, pay attention to his words and actions. Go now, keep the way of Christ Jesus in your heart and in your mind. Go now in peace and grace. Amen.

by Richard F. Shreckhise
Lancaster, PA Church of the Brethren
Church of the Brethren Living Word Bulletin
Anchor/Wallace, Sleepy Eye MN 56085, "The Living Word Series"