January 11, 2009
MORNING WORSHIP 10:00 AM
Baptism of the Lord

(Please pass the red pew pads now. If you are a guest this Sunday, we would love
to greet you following the service or at coffee fellowship
in the Friendship Lounge and the Atrium.)

THE PRELUDE Two Antiphons Dupre
“His Left hand is under my Head, and his right hand doth embrace me”
“I am black but comely, O Ye Daughters of Jerusalem”

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP liturgist

Liturgist: God anointed Christ to console the afflicted.
People: Come, let us worship the Lord our Comforter!
Liturgist: God anointed Christ to emancipate the enslaved.
People: Come, let us worship the Lord our liberator!
Liturgist: God anointed Christ to bind up the wounded.
People: Come, let us worship the Lord our healer!
Liturgist: God anointed Christ to deliver the troubled.
People: Come, let us worship the Lord our Savior!

*HYMN 39 I Sing the Mighty Power of God

*THE PRAYER OF THE DAY and THE LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

Lord God, gracious and merciful, you anointed your beloved Son with the Holy Spirit at his baptism in the Jordan, and you consecrated him prophet, priest, and king. Pour out your Spirit on us again that we may be faithful to our baptismal calling, ardently desire the communion of Christ’s body and blood, and serve the poor of your people and all who need your love, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and taught us to pray, saying:

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.

*THE GLORIA PATRI (Hymn 558)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, Amen.

THE ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Robert J. Brink

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Genesis 1:1-5 Bible, page 1 Children’s Bible, page 2

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

*THE PSALMODY Psalm 29 sung to Hyfrydol

All on earth and all in heaven, Trees shall bow in awe and wonder,
Raise to God a song on high; Bend their branches to the ground;

Strength unmeasured, love unbounded, From God’s lips on word in anger
God alone we glorify. Wreaks destruction all around.

At God’s voice the clouds assemble, But the Word which sets in motion
Thunder roars and torrents fall; Such travails can make them cease;

Earth shall quake before God’s presence, That same voice which tumult beckons
Mountains tremble at God’s call. In a gentler breath speaks peace.

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Acts 19:1-7 Bible, page 1012 Children’s Bible, page 1581

THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:4-11 Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D. Bible, page 910 Children’s Bible, page 1424

THE SERMON “Baptized and Empowered” Dr. Peay

THE RENEWAL OF OUR BAPTISM

Minister: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Minister: God of heaven and earth, you call us to come in humility before you, bringing the offering of our very selves. As you revealed Jesus to be your Son in his baptism at the hand of John, so you claimed our lives in baptism, that we might die to sin and be raised with him to new life. By your Spirit, confirm in our hearts the witness that Christ is Savior of the world and our Lord.
ALL: Accept all we have and are, O God, in the service of Jesus Christ, and strengthen us with your Spirit’s power, now and forever. Amen.

THE ANTHEM Winter Carol Porterfield
Sarah Gorke, Soprano, and Stacey Zabinski, Flute

THE CALL TO PRAYER and SILENT MEDITATION

THE PRAYER OF PEOPLE AND MINISTER

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE OFFERTORY

THE ANTHEM How Far Is It To Bethlehem arr. Pethel

*THE DOXOLOGY (Hymn 563)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION (unison)

In being baptized by John in Jordan’s waters, Jesus took his place with sinners, and your voice proclaimed him as your Son. Like a dove, your Spirit descended on him, anointing him as the Christ, to bring good news to the poor and proclaim release to the captives, to restore sight to the blind and free the oppressed. We praise you that in our baptism we are joined to Christ and, with all the baptized, are called to share his ministry. Accept, we pray, the gifts we offer in support of the ministry we do here and accept us anew as your children and his followers. Amen.

*HYMN 237 Loving Spirit

*THE CHARGE and BENEDICTION

Minister: The peace of God, known in this sanctuary, will go with you, empowering you to meet adversity.
People: We carry God’s peace into a troubled world, seeking to be peacemakers wherever we go.
Minister: The blessing of God, who touched believers’ lips and set them free to sing praises, will lift you up each day to use your gifts.
People: We carry God’s blessing into our daily lives and dare to share the riches entrusted to us.
Minister: The strength of God, seen in wind and fire, will set you ablaze with vitality and purpose.
People: We commit ourselves anew to live by God’s will as it is revealed to us day by day. Amen.

*THE POSTLUDE Improvisation on Hyfrydol

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given in memory of Jim Miyazaki by his wife, Lucy, and family.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Sunday School for children 4 years through entering 8th grade.

Sunday, January 18
Worship at 9:00 AM
Annual Meeting at 9:30 AM

Next week we will have only ONE worship service at 9 a.m.
that will flow into the Annual Meeting of the Church.
Please come and be a part of this important act of worship and service.

Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.
Kim Williams directs the Jubilation Ringers.