Baptism of the Lord January 10, 2016
CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S DAY
In consideration of other worshipers, please turn cell phones and mobile devices off or to silent mode.Thank you.
WE GATHER IN GOD’S PRESENCE
MUSIC FOR THE GATHERING OF THE WORSHIPERS
All Who Believe and Are Baptized J.S. Bach/Johann Gottfried Walther
(lighting of the candles, Hope Marshall)
As the pastor and acolyte enter the sanctuary, let us pause in thoughtful silence and begin our worship.
OUR LIFE TOGETHER…
(During the announcements, please fill out the fellowship pad and pass it back and forth through your pew in order that we may greet one another by name after worship.)
-The Robert and Barbara Josephson First Presbyterian Scholarship - Kara Schutte
GATHERING SONG (choir and congregation, singing together)
Gather us, O God, body, spirit, soul and mind.
Gather us, O God, one in union now with you.
CALL TO WORSHIP Janita Byars, Liturgist
One:You speak, God – you always speak,
All:if we will but listen;
One:All we need to do is pause, and turn our attention
to the song singing from the heavens,
All:and whispering in the wind;
One:to the flight of the dove,
All:and the touch of its wings on our heads;
One:to the giggling of the water,
All:and the mark it leaves in our hearts;
One:Your voice comes to us in faithful surround sound,
All:beckoning us to join the chorus, share in the dance,
and extend the invitation into all the earth.
One:You speak, God – you always speak;
All:and joyfully, we are listening.
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*HYMNNo. 612 We Praise You, O God Kresmer
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION Liturgist
One: Creating, Calling, and Faithful God, we come to this time and place
to be with you, to worship you, to learn from you,
and to listen again to you calling our names.
All: God, you love us but we have not loved you; you call, but we have not listened. We walk away from neighbors in need, wrapped in our own concerns. We have gone along with evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed. Help us to face up to ourselves, so that, as you move toward us in mercy, we may repent, turn to you, receive forgiveness, and be remade, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
*ASSURANCE OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS
*RESPONSE: (congregation and choir singing together)
Don’t be afraid, my love is stronger, my love is stronger than your fear.
Don’t be afraid, my love is stronger and I have promised,
Promised to be always near.
*SHARING THE PEACE
WE GROW AS WE LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD
MESSAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN (congregation and choir singing together)
This, this is where children belong, welcomed as part of the worshiping throng.
Water, God’s word, bread and cup, prayer and song:
This is where children belong. – James Ritchie
(Following the message, children may go with their teachers to children’s church on the second floor of the education building where they may be picked up after worship. Nursery care is available for our youngest children.)
READING:Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Page 60 in the pew Bibles (N.T.)
SERMONThe Reverend Robert Hagel
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*HYMN OF THE DAY No. 486 Child of Blessing, Child of Promise Kingdom
WE GIVE IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Liturgist
CALL TO SHARE OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Offertory - Christ, Our Lord, To Jordan Came arr. J. William Greene
Christ, our Lord, to Jordan came, There to follow God’s command,
Living Word, baptized by John, Our great treasure and God’s Son.
There with Christ are we all washed, Cleansed from evil evermore,
Just as with Him on the cross Death dies as new life is born.
Then the dove came down from heav’n, Spirit of the living God
Floating down upon His Son, A new baptism from on high.
On that day grace came anew so that we could fully know
That God with us still shall dwell, Bringing us the words of life.
Thus disciples are we all, Living out Christ’s mystic visi’n.
Our baptism like his own, Pouring God into our souls.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
One:The Lord be with you.
All: and also with you.
One:Lift up your hearts.
All:We lift them up to the Lord.
One:Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All:It is right to give our thanks and praise.
One:Holy God, we praise you.Let the heavens be joyful… … joining our voices with the heavenly choirsand with all the faithful of every time
and place,who forever sing to the glory of your name:
All:Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the
highest.
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One:You are holy, O God of majesty,and blessed is Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord…
…With thanksgiving we take this bread and this cupand proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord.Great is the mystery of faith:
All:Christ has died,Christ is risen,Christ will come again.
One: Gracious God,pour out your Holy Spirit upon us that this meal may be
a communion in the body and blood of our Lord Make us one with Christ
and with all who share this feast.Unite us in faith,encourage us with hope,
inspire us to love,that we may serve as your faithful disciplesuntil we feast
at your table in glory.
We praise you, eternal God,through Christ your Word made flesh,
in the holy and life-giving Spirit, now and forever.
All: Amen.
*LORD’S PRAYER (“…and forgive us our debts…”)
SHARING OF THE BREAD AND THE CUP
(The cup in the center of the communion plates contain gluten-free bread; the middle glassescontain grape juice for those who desire it; the others contain red wine.
You may eat and drink as you are ready to do so.)
COMMUNION ANTHEM - Star ChildMark Kay Beall/John Carter
Star Child, born on a wint’ry night, Wind song blowing near by;
Star Child, born by the moon’s cool light, Hear your lullaby.
Star Child born in a manger bed, Angels watch above,
Star Child, weaving a golden thread of redeeming love.
This, then, is the King of Kings; God’s gift to the world He brings;
Love born on a winter’s night By starlight, starlight.
Star Child, born to a world in pain; Shepherds hurry to see;
Star Child, come to the world again, And be born again, be born again in me!
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
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WE GO TO SERVE GOD’S WORLD
*CLOSING HYMN No. 177 I Will Come to You You Are Mine
*CHARGE & BENEDICTION
*CHORAL RESPONSE - Go, My Children, with My Blessing Ar Hydy Nos
*POSTLUDE- Break Forth Into Joy J.S. Bach
*Those who are able, please stand
This Sunday, January 10
Greeter: Elaine Gallup, Pat Kinney
Ushers: Jim and Sherra Babcock, Oliver Hagel, Rosie Hagel
Church School Teacher: Peggy Hallberg
Next Sunday, January 17-Evensong
Acolyte: Fiona Hagel
Liturgist: Karen Gould
Greeter: Julie Dudgeon, Gayle Schulte
Ushers: Jane Lockwood, Ed Sanderson, Chris & Randy Voty
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Sunday, January 17,2016 – Evensong- Bellinger Chapel
Chancel Choir 5:15p.m.
Worship 6:00 p.m.
Bob Hagel, preaching
Refreshments 7:00 p.m.
Website:
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WE WELCOME everyone, especially our visitors, to our service today. Please sign the pew pads. If you are new to First Presbyterian Church, introduce yourself to the pastor. Prayer request cards are available in the back of the Chapel. If you desire your prayer concern to be shared during worship today with the congregation, please give your completed card to an usher prior to worship. Remember, our worship services are broadcast on Access Channel 19 on Time Warner Cable, everyday at 10:30 a.m. There is also live streaming of our Sunday service which can be reached via our website as well as past services. The bulletin for that Sunday is also put on the worship page of
THERE IS CHILDCARE available for infants through 2-year-old children in the nursery. The nursery attendants are well-qualified and a vibrating monitor will be given to you in case the nursery attendants need to be in touch with you about your child.
REMINDER: Don’t file your 2015 income tax return until you have received a written acknowledgment of your contributions from the church. Some of your contributions may not be tax deductible if you file before receiving a final year end statement. These statements will be mailed sometime during the last two weeks of January, 2016.
THE MISSION COMMITTEE is meeting after worship in the Board Room.
THE YOUTH COMMITTEE is meeting in SJM Fellowship Hall after worship
THE FLOWERS ON THE CHANCEL RAIL are given to the Glory of God and in celebration of the marriage of Sean Gritters and Jenni Whalen on Saturday, January 9 by Lyndon and Melanie Gritters and family.
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CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
MONDAY 6:00 p.m.Stephen Minister’s Party
TUESDAY 6:30 p.m.Painter’s Workshop
7:15 p.m.Barbershoppers
WEDNESDAY 10:15 a.m.Staff Meeting
11:00 a.m.Crèche
11:30 a.m.Alpha Circle
THURSDAY 12:00 noonAging & Saging
1:00 p.m.Stewardship Committee
7:00 p.m.Chancel Choir
7:00 p.m.Society for Creative Anachronism
NOTE: NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, is our EVENSONG SERVICE at 6:00 p.m. in Bellinger Chapel. This contemplative service includes candles, songs from various countries, traditions, and languages, and a period of silence all contributing to a time to reflect and open oneself to God. All ages are welcome! There will be hot chocolate and cider following the service. There will be no morning Christian Education or worship.
PLEDGE ENVELOPES. To those of you who requested pledge payment envelopes, they are available in the Cloister. If you did not ask for envelopes but would like a set, there are also unassigned numbers – just sign your name and the number you took on the sheet provided.
THE SUNDAY CHANCEL FLOWERS are a wonderful reminder of God’s grace to us. The Flower Chart for 2016 is in the Cloister and there are many dates available (January 24 & 31, February 7,14, & 28, March 6 & 13 and all Sundays in April) to decorate the chancel rail of the sanctuary on a Sunday morning. Is there a special occasion you would like to have remembered or to honor the memory of a loved one? Sign the chart on the date and then, several weeks before that date, contact Jean Lloyd (483-6795) of the Flower Committee to let her know the kind of flower arrangement you want and the words you would like in the bulletin.
FOOD PANTRY. First Presbyterian continues to support the food pantry at our next door neighbor, First Covenant Church. Their food pantry is open one day per month (usually the third Tuesday) and is always in need of supplies. The food pantry this month will be held on January 19 so any foods brought by January 17 will be taken to First Covenant. If you would like to help, please bring any nonperishable food and/or personal items to the SJM Fellowship Hall and place in the basket near the kitchen door.