Bulletin – Sunday, January 7, 2024 – 2nd Sunday after Christmas / Baptism of Jesus
Sunday, January 7, 2024
2nd Sunday after Christmas / Baptism of Jesus
We Gather as People of Faith
Words of Welcome
Lighting the Christ Candle
Epiphany is the season of light. A light to reveal God to us. That light is Jesus, the Christ. We light a candle to remind us of Christ who lights our way.
Acknowledging the Territory
One: In this place of worship, we are joined together with all the people of treaty 1 in the traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation. We acknowledge the failures of the past, offer hope for the future, commit to living together in peace, and strive to bring joy and love into our relationships. As we strive to walk in faith and peace with our brothers and sisters, we also pledge to create a sacred space of welcome where all people might find a home.
All: We will do our part to seek reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous brothers and sisters as we walk together in peace and harmony. We will welcome all people as beloved children of God.
Announcements
Gathering Song – “Behold, Behold, I make All Things New” (MV #115)
Behold, behold I make all things new,
Beginning with you and starting from today.
Behold, behold I make all things new,
My promise is true for I am Christ the way.
Call to Worship
One: Water is the stuff of life.
All: Water surrounded us before we were born.
One: Water is the stuff of life.
All: May our presence, our lives, and our ministry be a source of water, both physical and spiritual, for when we feel like our lives are dried up and being carried away on the wind.
One: May we help one another to centre on the journey of true life, the journey to the deep well of God’s generous love. Come, let us worship God, who calls us to peace.
(Beth W. Johnston, Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2023-2024, page 40)
Opening Prayer
God of eternity, whose spirit hovered over the waters of creation, whose voice echoes down the rivers of history and proclaims that we are your beloved children: we gather here to worship you this day. May we feel the power of your love surrounding us and supporting us. And when we leave this place may we take your love and help it flow in all the arid places crying for the refreshing presence of your Holy Spirit. In the name of your beloved child, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
(Prayers for All Seasons – Year B, Ellen Turnbull, ed., page 25)
Prayer of Confession
Loving Creator, we, your fragile children, sometimes forget that you created all of us in your image, and in us you are well pleased. Forgive us for our human tendency to judge ourselves and others too harshly. Amen.
(Deborah Ambridge Fisher, Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2023-2024, page 41)
Words of Assurance
One: Children of God, know that there is nothing you have ever done or ever could do that would make God love you any less. God loves you just as you are, and you are forgiven. And, in that forgiveness, you are set free to love others.
All: Thank be to God.
(Deborah Ambridge Fisher, Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2023-2023, page 41)
Hymn – “River” (MV #3)
River, rush-a-down to the ocean blue,
River, from a mountain high.
River, as you do what rivers do,
River draw the Spirit nigh.
Spirit, come-a-down to the river side,
Spirit, spark of wondrous thought.
Spirit, I am free for you to guide,
Spirit, pray that I be taught!
Water, let me drink of your healing pow’r,
Water, strength and life you give.
Water, as I travel with each hour,
Water, help my body live.
River, flow-a-down where you ran before,
River, source of clearer view.
River, as I walk your rocky shore,
River, see my journey through,
See my journey through,
See my journey through,
See my journey through.
Our Story
Sharing the Peace of Christ
One: The peace of Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.
We Hear God’s Word
Prayer for Illumination
Gracious God, shine your light upon the words of scripture and the words we sing, that you might be revealed in our lives and in our hearts. May these words so reveal you that we see you in creation and in all whom we meet. Amen.
Anthem – “Carol for Advent”
Amid the winter’s cold embrace,
Clothed in a shroud of white,
An anxious world in silence waits through the dark of night.
As the lonely song of a dove echoes across the sky above,
We can feel the moment is near;
Soon the Child of Peace will appear.
What child is this the world awaits with quiet expectation?
When will He come, the promised one,
To bring us peace and salvation?
Raise, raise your prayers on high,
Prepare His way, the time is nigh.
Come, come Emmanuel, O Child of Love and Peace.
The air grows colder, the light grows dim,
Darkening the sky above.
But soon the chill of winter wind will warm with God’s gift of love.
And a star will brighten the sky,
Songs of joy will echo on high!
We will know the moment is here;
The Child of Love and Peace will appear.
Scripture Reading: Acts 19:1-7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what, then, were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied, altogether there were about twelve of them.
Hymn – “Herald! Sound the Note of Gladness!” (VU #28)
Herald! Sound the note of gladness!
Tell the news that Christ is here;
Make a pathway through the desert
For the one who brings God near.
Sound the trumpet!
Tell the message!
Christ the Saving One has come!
Herald! Sound the note of judgement,
Warning us of right and wrong,
Turning us from sin and sadness,
Till once more we sing the song
Sound the trumpet!
Tell the message!
Christ the Saving One has come!
Herald! Sound the note of pardon!
Those repenting are forgiven;
God receives these wayward children,
And to all new life is given.
Sound the trumpet!
Tell the message!
Christ the Saving One has come!
Herald! Sound the note of triumph!
Christ has come to share our life,
Bringing God’s own love and power,
Granting victory in our strife
Sound the trumpet!
Tell the message!
Christ the Saving One has come!
Gospel Reading: Mark 1:4-11
So John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And the whole Judean region 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 strap 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 upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
The light of Christ, God’s word revealed.
Thanks be to God!
Gift of Music
Reflection – “Water and Spirit”
Hymn – “Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized” (VU #99)
Christ, when for us you were baptized,
God’s Spirit on you came,
As peaceful as a dove and yet
As urgent as a flame.
God called you, ‘My beloved Son,”
Called you, “My servant true,”
Sent you god’s kingdom to proclaim,
God’s holy will to do.
Straightway and steadfast until death
You then obeyed the call
Freely as Son of Ma to serve
And give your life for all.
Baptize us with your Spirit now,
Your cross on us be signed,
That likewise in God’s service we
May perfect freedom find.
We Respond to God’s Word
Stewardship Moment – “Learning the Gospel at Camp”
An Invitation to Share
As we come to know God we are called to shine God’s light upon others. We do so by sharing from our blessings that others may have their needs fulfilled. We present our gifts as we sing our offering song and we pray:
Offering Response – “I Praise You, O God” (MV #61)
I praise you, O God with all of my heart.
With all the earth I will sing your praises.
I praise you, O God with all of my heart.
With all the earth I will sing your praises.
I praise you, O God with all of my heart.
With all the earth I will sing your praises.
Prayers of the People “And When You Call for Me” (MV #96)
And when you call for me,
I have already answered.
And when you call for me,
I am already there.
One: O Holy One, we confess that we have domesticated and downsized you, turned you into our own cuddly teddy bear. But, along with our Sunday bulletins, you pass our hard hats and roadside warnings that we are entering a construction zone in preparation for the Baptist’s announcement: “Every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be make straight,” Keep us safe, O Holy One. Even now, the dynamite of the prophet’s proclamation is lodged in the granite of our hearts; O Holy One, break us open. Let the roadwork begin.
One: We pray for those in our community who need your healing touch…We take time now to pause and allow each of us, individually, to offer prayers, silently or out loud for people and situations near to our hearts.
One: As part of the Prairie to Pine Regional Council prayer cycle, we pray for Birtle-Miniota (Birtle, Miniota), Crossroad (Carman, Elm Creek – disbanding) and Hillsview (Bowsman, Minitonas – disbanding). And as part of the World Council of Churches prayer cycle, we pray for the people and lands of Iran, Iraq, and Syria.
One: As we pray for healing, wholeness, and holiness, turn our prayers from words into actions. Bless our journey, we pray. We continue to pray, saying together the words Jesus taught his disciples:
All: Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
(If Darwin Prayed by Bruce Sanguin, page 12)
We Go Into God’s World
Hymn – “Like a Healing Stream” (MV #144)
Like a healing stream in a barren desert,
Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth,
God is trickling through our lives as in a dream
Unfolding, promising revival and rebirth.
Like a healing stream.
Like a gentle rain on a thirsty garden,
Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed,
God is bubbling through the soil to coax a new creation,
Yearning for an end to want and need.
Like a gentle rain.
Like a river strong with a restless current,
Spirit water rushing on to distant shore,
God is carving out a channel in a new direction,
Calling for an end to hate and war.
Like a river strong.
Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons,
Spirit water with a love both deep and wide,
God is working in our hearts to shape a new tomorrow:
God will always challenge and provide!
Like a might sea, like a river strong,
Like a gentle rain, Like a healing stream.
God Calls Us into the World
As you go forth from this place, remember whose you are. Remember to be the disciples you are called to be. Remember to love as you are loved. God out to share the love of God, the peace of Christ, and the sustaining fellowship of the Holy Spirit, this day and always. Amen.
(Cheryl Dillon. Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2023/2024, page 41)
Song of Blessing – “Go Now in Peace, Guided by the Light” (MV #211)
Go now in peace, guided by the light of Christ,
So you may be nourished by the Word of Life.
Go in Peace! Amen!
