You can watch today’s service here.
If you are watching our live stream this morning, you are invited to find a candle, so that we can all light candles at the same time. You are also invited to pour water into a bowl. Water and light are powerful symbols and reminders of the spiritual ties that bind us together, no matter what may keep us physically apart.
CALL TO WORSHIP
In the beginning, darkness covered the deep,
and God said: “Let there be light.”
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!
Through the words of the prophet, the Lord said:
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you.”
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!
I have called you by name; you are mine.”
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!When Jesus was baptized by John,
suddenly the heavens were opened.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!And as Jesus was coming out of the water,
the Spirit of God rested on him like a dove.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!And a voice said: “You are my beloved son;
with you I am well pleased.”
The voice of the Lord is over the waters!
OPENING PRAYER
Holy God, you sent your Son to be baptized among sinners, to seek and save the lost. May we, who have been baptized in his name, never turn away from the the world, but reach out in love to rescue the wayward; by the mercy of Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION (Roger Gench, Presbyterian Outlook)
On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, we remember our baptisms, where we were claimed as children of the covenant and beloved of God. Yet we live as those who are alienated from God. We have turned away from God, one another and the earth. Let us confess our sins, trusting in God’s mercy.
Please join me in the prayer of confession, followed by a silent personal prayer.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from one another. We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another. We allow the past to hold us captive. In your loving-kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from sin. Fulfill the promises of our baptism so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace.
Moment of silent prayer–people of God, what do you confess this week?
Assurance of Pardon
As a voice from heaven said to Jesus, so, in Christ, God speaks to us: You are my child, my beloved; with you I am well pleased.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FIRST SCRIPTURE READING
Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
Consider:
- Read Mark 1:4-11 slowly several times and imagine that you are part of this scene. Where are you in this story? What do you sense, see and smell? Imagine Jesus coming up out of water. Do you hear the voice from heaven? If so, what do you hear, and what emotions does it evoke?
- Ponder your own baptism and ask these questions: Who am I as a baptized child of God? What does my baptismal identity mean to me? Be specific.
- If you are able to do so, put some water in a bowl and renew your baptism by dipping your hand in the water and then tracing the shape of the cross on your forehead with wet fingers.
SECOND SCRIPTURE READING
Genesis 1:1-5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness God called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
You can listen to Pastor Leia’s sermon, “God Spoke and God Still Speaks,” here.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (Roger Gench, Presbyterian Outlook)
Loving God, we give you thanks and praise for the story of Jesus’ baptism by John in the wilderness, for it reminds us of our own baptisms. Just as you claimed Jesus as your beloved, so also have we been claimed as your own children. We remember before you all the children and adults who have been baptized in this congregation of your people, and for their parents and sponsors. Help us remember as a congregation the promises we also have made to each of them — to nurture them in their lives of faith. And help us remember our own baptisms daily. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Holy one, our baptisms also remind us that the font is the true center of our cosmos. The place where we were called to live as your beloved people in covenant relation with you, with one another and with your good creation. Help us remember that declaration and promise, especially in difficult times like these. Amid a pandemic that is devastating lives and communities, amid exposure of the racism still wreaking its havoc in our nation, amid painful polarization and division, we claim our center in your baptismal promise of love. Empower us to live out of that love in all that we do, healing divisions, addressing enmity, reaching out to those we perceive as enemies. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of all nations, we pray for elected officials in our own country and in all countries around the globe — for those who have been entrusted to exercise leadership on behalf of the common good. Help them to discern wise use of resources to address the needs of citizens suffering from the pandemic and its grave economic strains. And move us all to attend to the cries of the marginal in our midst. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray saying…
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
HYMN Shall We Gather at the River
1 Shall we gather at the river,
where bright angel feet have trod,
with its crystal tide forever
flowing by the throne of God?
Refrain:
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
the beautiful, the beautiful river;
gather with the saints at the river
that flows by the throne of God.
2 On the margin of the river,
washing up its silver spray,
we will walk and worship ever,
all the happy golden day. [Refrain]
3 Ere we reach the shining river,
lay we every burden down;
grace our spirits will deliver,
and provide a robe and crown. [Refrain]
4 Soon we’ll reach the shining river;
soon our pilgrimage will cease;
soon our happy hearts will quiver
with the melody of peace. [Refrain]
INVITATION TO OFFERING (Roger Gench, Presbyterian Outlook)
On this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, we celebrate the great gift of baptism and the life of promise therein. God has given us life and resources for it, so let us give in return.
MORNING OFFERING
If you are able to, please consider mailing your offerings to the church (210 Smith Street) or dropping them off in the mail slot. Alternatively, there is a link at the top of this page that will take you directly to a secure page where you can make a one-time donation. We appreciate your generosity as we seek to continue our mission and ministry throughout the community during this difficult time.
PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Roger Gench, Presbyterian Outlook)
O God, in our baptisms we have been named and claimed as your covenant people, connected deeply with you, with one another and with the earth. May these gifts be used as a witness to your love, peace and justice at work in the world, renewing the face of the earth.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (FROM A BRIEF STATEMENT OF FAITH)
We trust in God the Holy Spirit,
everywhere the giver and renewer of life.
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith,
sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor,
and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles
rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture,
engages us through the Word proclaimed,
claims us in the waters of baptism,
feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation,
and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Glory to you, O God—
your voice is over the waters,
full of power and majesty.
Your word shakes the wilderness
and resonates beyond the stars.
We give you thanks and praise
for the new thing you have done
in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Baptized by John in the Jordan,
you anointed him with your Holy Spirit
and claimed him as your beloved Son.
We give you thanks and praise
that by the grace of our baptism,
you have claimed us as well
and poured out the gifts of your Spirit
so that we might be dead to sin
and alive to you in Christ Jesus.
Continue to pour out your Spirit upon us.
Empower us to love and serve you
and live as your faithful people,
bearing witness to the good news
of Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God’s countenance be lifted upon you and give you peace.
Remember the things that unite us,
even when the world feels like it’s breaking apart.
God has been with us since God’s words first rang out over the waters,
and God is still speaking now.
From wherever you are, serve the Lord: Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit.
VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
If you are using this page to follow along with today’s worship service while it is being live streamed, please join us for virtual coffee hour! Turn on your video camera and join us after the benediction with this link. You could also join over the telephone by dialing (312) 626-6799 and entering the meeting code 146 874 134, followed by the password 075003.