for Sunday, 11 January 2009, #3

Liturgy

Here are the liturgical elements for the worship service. As always, the congregation will read the bold print.

Call to Worship

On that first day, when time began:
you gave birth to creation;
light danced through the darkness;
the waters of hope flowed free and clear.
On that first day at the Jordan, when redemption began:
you spoke of life for all your children,
as your Child stepped into the waters of forgiveness,
dancing in hope with his cousin, John.
On this first day of the week, when we begin anew:
you call us to faithfulness,
as we open our hearts to you,
your voice claiming us as your own.

Prayer of Approach (in unison)

Beloved's Parent:
grace is the gift which flows to us from your heart;
joy is the seed planted deep within our souls,
that it might blossom into lives of service to all.
And we cry: "Glory!"

Servant of sinners:
you emerge from baptism's water, to embrace us in your hopes;
you take our fears from usand toss them aside
as you lead us into your realm;
you shine the Light which brings us outof despair's shadows.
And we cry: "Glory!"

Wind upon the water:
you move among us sweeping aside our petty pride,
and offering us the gifts of humility and servanthood.
You whisper of your yearning for peace and reconciliation,
until it silences our angry voices and unclenches our fisted hearts.
And we cry: "Glory!"

God in Community, Holy in One, we lift our voices in prayer and praise to you. Amen.

Both the Call to Worship & the Prayer were written by Thom Shuman and were taken from www.lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com.

Following the prayer, there will be the time of silence. Then Karen, please read the first lectionary reading which is Genesis 1:1-5. I may print out the Message version of the Bible for you to read. You can see that version by clicking here. To read the NRSV, click on the link to the right for the Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

Let me know if there are any questions or comments.

Thanks to all of you!

for Sunday, 11 January 2009, #2

Music

It looks like I'm going the baptism route this Sunday because here are the hymns I've chosen:

• In Water We Grow, CH # 375
• We Know That Christ Is Raised, CH # 376
• Wash, O God, Your Sons and Daughters, CH # 365

Also, the Psalm for this week, 29, is in the back of our hymnal, so we shall do it from there. It has a sung response and is found on p. 737.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.

And just to whet your appetite (get it?...whet/wet...baptism...water...oh never mind) here's a picture of Jesus being baptized by John. I forget who the sculptor was and will have to research that, but it is in the Duomo Museum in Florence.

for Sunday, 11 January 2009 #1

1st Sunday after Epiphany/The Baptism of Jesus

Worship Leaders:

• Elder: Karen Jolliffe
• Liturgist: Karen Jolliffe
• Accompanist: Ann Willard
• Music Leader: Lisa Haley
• Bread Bringer: Karen Jolliffe
• Preacher: Gerry Brague

Lectionary Readings:

• Genesis 1:1-5
• Psalm 29
• Acts 19:1-7
• Mark 1:4-11

I'll be selecting hymns very soon so watch for that. As the week progresses, I'll add liturgical information and sermon theme.