Bulletin – Sunday, January 12, 2020

Sunday, January 12, 2020
Baptism of Jesus

Approach

Gathering Song VU #378 – “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart”

Welcome, lighting the candle and announcements

Call to Worship

One: The heavens open. The Spirit descends.
All: Jesus emerges from the water.

One: And a voice echoes through the blue expanse.
All: “This is my child, the Beloved, with whom I am well-pleased.”

One: Jesus is named. Claimed.
All: We come to the water. We remember we are named. Claimed.

One: Can it be so? What a thing to be named. Claimed.
All: Let us worship the one who names and claims us still.

Opening Hymn MV #161 – “I Have Called You by Your Name”

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Gracious and all loving God, you call us across deep waters and dark places. Yours is the light which guides us and the voice which we follow. But we are incredibly stubborn, God. We have entered the season in which Your Light has been given to the world; your blessings have been poured out on the world, and yet all we can think about is our own problems, our own needs, our own desires. Help us to desire you. Pour your baptismal waters over us again, cleansing us from our self-pity and arrogance. Nourish and heal us so that we may joyfully serve you. Wash away our jealousy, greed, and all negative thoughts and behaviours that stand in the way of our truly being the people you have called us to be. Again let us receive the blessings offered in creation, in the birth and baptism of Jesus. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Passing the Peace

Time for All Ages

Hymn MV #82 – “Bathe Me in Your Light”

The Word

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 42:1-9
Matthew 3:13-17

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “Living in God’s Light”

Anthem – “Longing for Light”

The Response

Offering / Response: (VU #84)

Your glory shone at Jordan’s stream,
The font where we were born anew.
Attune your church to know you near;
Illumine all we say and do.

Offering Prayer

Gracious God, we give you thanks and praise and we dedicate to you our offering. In this we also dedicate the workings of our hands, the thinking of our minds, and the loving of our hearts. May each be used for the glory of your kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the People

One: Lord, in your mercy,
All: Hear our prayer.

Closing Hymn VU #87 – “I am the Light of the World”

Commissioning / Benediction Response (MV #211)

Go now in peace, guided by the light of Christ.
So you may be nourished by the Word of Life.