Gathering

Silent Prayer of Preparation

Eternal God:  at the baptism of Jesus, you proclaimed him your beloved Son, and anointed him with your Holy Spirit.  Grant that we who are baptized in his name may keep the covenant made with us in that sacrament, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior, in whose name we pray.  Amen.   

Chimes

Organ Prelude                           “Menuetto”                                Yvonne Barnes, Organist

* Gathering Song     Blue Hymnal #438          “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”           dennis

Blest be the tie that binds  Our hearts in Chris-tian love:

The fel-low-ship of kin-dred minds  Is like to that a-bove. 

* Greeting One Another, Welcome and Concerns of the Church

   Choral Introit

   Call to Worship                                                                                               [Psalm 29:2-4]

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name!?Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; ? the God of glory thunders over mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is full of power; ? the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.    

* Hymn  Blue Hymnal #356         “Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing”         nettleton

* Our Vision     (Unison)

We are followers of Jesus Christ ? Sharing God's Word

Showing God's Love ? Serving God's creation

Striving to glorify God ? Always!

  Call to Confession and Confession of Sin                                                           (Unison)

Merciful God:  in our baptism you promise us forgiveness and new life.  Yet we confess that we have not received your promise, but have strayed from your ways.  We remain preoccupied with ourselves, and separated from those to whom we ought to be the closest.  We cling to harmful habits, hold grudges, and keep one another at arm’s length.  In your grace, have mercy upon us, and free us from sin.  Remind us again of the promises you extend in our baptism, and grant that we may accept them afresh, rising with Christ to new life, and living together in your grace.  Through your Son, our Lord, baptized for us in the River Jordan.  Amen.    

  Declaration of God's Pardon

*Response       Blue Hymnal #579                “Glory Be to the Father”              gloria patri

The Word

Prayer for Illumination

First Reading                                         Isaiah 42:1-9                                 Pew Bible, p.584

The Word of the Lord. ? Thanks be to God!

Gospel Reading                                  Matthew 3:13-17                               Pew Bible, p.784

The Gospel of the Lord. ? Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!

Choral Anthem                    “Some Children See Him Lily White”                Chancel Choir

Children’s Moment                                  Bernie Caldwell, Director of Christian Education

Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world:  red and yellow, black and white,

they are precious in his sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Sermon                                        “Blaze, Spirit, Blaze!”                                          Dr. Nash

 *Hymn  Printed                             “Shine, Jesus, Shine!”                            

* Affirmation of Faith    Blue Hymnal, p. 14      “Apostles’ Creed”                 traditional

Please remain standing, as able, for the renewal of our baptism.

* Renewal of Our Baptism

Sisters and brothers in Christ….  I ask you therefore, once again to reject sin, to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, and to confess the faith of the church, the faith in which we were baptized.  Do you renounce all evil, and powers in the world which defy God’s righteousness and love?

I renounce them.

Do you renounce the ways of sin that separate you from the love of God?

I renounce them.

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior?

I do.

Leader:  Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love, to your life’s end?

I will, with God’s help.

Prayers of the People     After each petition: “Hear us, O God, ? For your mercy is great.”

Lord’s Prayer & Choral Response   Blue Hymnal, p.16                                traditional

Presentation of Tithes and Offerings

  Offertory                  “Andante Religioso”                               Yvonne Barnes, Organist                                                       

*Congregational Response    “Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow”    doxology

*Prayer of Dedication

Sending

* Hymn  RED Hymnal #476         “Shall We Gather at the River”         

* Pastoral Blessing & Choral Response

Organ Postlude                        “Send the Light”                           Yvonne Barnes, Organist

Today’s Liturgical Color

Today’s liturgical color is white – the color reserved for seasons of highest celebration in the church.  It reminds us of the white robes that Revelation tells us are worn by the glorious saints in heaven. 

 

LITURGIST:  Elder Robert Leonard

 

How to Join the Church

We warmly welcome new members!  If God is calling you to consider membership in this church, please do one of the following, and your journey into membership will begin:  (1) check the appropriate box on the register of friendship; (2) tell the pastor at the door; or (3) call the church office – you can leave a message 24/7. 

Christ needs you as an active, committed member of his church.