GATHERING
GREETING
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise the Lord!
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Baptism of the Lord
PRELUDE Patty Bell
*PRAISE MUSIC: “O Sons and Daughters, Let Us Sing” UMH 317
INVOCATION
Holy God, we enter your presence with praise, for all majesty and glory belong to you. You sit enthroned as Lord over all; earth is but a footstool to your heavenly kingdom. Yet you entered this world as one of us, walking and working, praying and preaching, healing and harvesting, forgiving and feeding. Your baptism reminds us that we share in your ministry, in your suffering and death, and in your resurrection and new life. We are awed by the privilege of being called your disciples. We are challenged to continue the good work you began. We are grateful for the Spirit who empowers us to follow you. Amen.
LITANY
Leader: We celebrate this day the baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
People: We follow Christ’s example when we baptize those whom God has called.
Leader; Baptism is a sign of the covenant between God and the church.
People: It signifies God’s faithfulness.
Leader: It testifies to the washing away of sin.
People: It symbolizes rebirth.
Leader: It embodies our adoption into God’s family.
People: It witnesses to the resurrection of Christ.
Leader: In baptism, we put on the fresh garment of Christ.
People: In baptism we are sealed with the Holy Spirit.
All: Thanks be to God, by whose grace we are called to baptism!
HYMN: “Spirit Song” Renew 248
TIME WITH THE YOUTH
PRAYERS AND OFFERING
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Joys and Concerns
PASTORAL PRAYER
THE LORD’S PRAYER
RECEIVING OUR OFFERING
* PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERING
“Let It Breathe On Me” UMH 503
Let it breathe on me; let it breathe on me; let the breath of the Lord now breathe on me. Let it breathe on me; let it breathe on me; let the breath of the Lord now breathe on me.
PROCLAIMING GOD’S WORD
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit,
that, as the Scriptures are read and your Word proclaimed,
we may hear with joy what you say to us today.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON: Isaiah 42:1-9 PB, pg. 636 OT
GOSPEL LESSON: Matthew 3:13-17 PB, pg. 2 NT
THE MESSAGE: Pastor Vicki Lerdahl
PASTOR’S PRAYER RESPONSE UMH 253
REMEMBERING YOUR BAPTISM
Please come forward to receive a baptism candle as a reminder of your covenant with God to follow Christ and continue the work he began.
SENDING FORTH
*CIRCLE SONG: “Surely the Presence” UMH 328
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place; I can feel his mighty power and his grace. I can hear the brush of angels’ wings, I see glory on each face; surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
*BLESSING
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