January 10, 2010
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 Social Hall.)

WELCOME and ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D.

THE PRELUDE Flötenuhr Hayden
Minuet-March-Andantino

CHIMES AND TOWER BELLS

THE CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Jan Kwiatkowski, M.S., M.F.T.

Liturgist: We come as those who believe in God our creator.
People: For so God’s people confess in baptism.
Liturgist: We come as those who believe in Jesus the Christ.
People: For so Christ’s church confesses in baptism.
Liturgist: We come as those who believe in the Holy Spirit.
People: For so Spirit’s community confesses in baptism.
Liturgist: So we come to worship as we confess:
ALL: The God into whom we were baptized: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Alleluia!

*HYMN 7 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

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

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting 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 OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 43:1-7 Bible, page 658 Children’s Bible, page 1021

THE INVITATION TO SUNDAY SCHOOL

*HYMN OF RESPONSE I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry Hymnal, no. 516

THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Acts 8:14-17 Rev. Barry W. Syzmanski, J.D. Bible, page 999 Children’s Bible, page 1563

THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D. Bible, page 935 Children’s Bible, page 1463

THE SERMON “Initiation…” Dr. Peay

THE RENEWAL OF OUR BAPTISM and PRAYER FOR THE CHURCH
Drs. Peay and Szymanski

[The Ministers invite us to consider and renew our Baptism, then:]

Minister: Let us pray.
Minister: God of mercy, hear us as we confess our sins. For the sin that has made us slow to learn from Christ, reluctant to follow him, and afraid to bear the cross:
Minister: Lord, have mercy,
People: Lord, forgive.
For the sin that has caused the poverty of our worship, the formality and selfishness of our prayers, our neglect of fellowship and of the means of grace, and our hesitating witness for Christ:
Lord, have mercy,
Minister: Lord, forgive.
Minister: For the sin that has led us to misuse your gifts, evade our responsibilities, and fail to be good stewards of your creation:
Minister: Lord, have mercy,
ALL: Lord, forgive.
People: For the sin that has made us unwilling to overcome evil with good, tolerant of injustice, quick to condemn, and selfish in sharing your love with others:
Lord, have mercy,
Minister: Lord, forgive.
Minister: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore to all who truly repent, this is his gracious word: ‘Your sins are forgiven.’
ALL: Amen. Thanks be to God.

[All stand.]

Minister: And now I ask you to make the profession of Christian faith into which you were baptized, and in which you live and grow. Do you believe and trust in God the Father, who made the world?
ALL: I believe and trust in him.
Minister: Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed humankind?
ALL: I believe and trust in him.
Minister: Do you believe and trust in his Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God?
ALL: I believe and trust in him.
Minister: This is the faith of the Church.
ALL: This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

[The Ministers then remind us of our Baptismal covenant inviting us to make it our own afresh.]

I am no longer my own but yours. Your will, not mine, be done in all things, wherever you may place me, in all that I do and in all that I may endure; when there is work for me and when there is none; when I am troubled and when I am at peace. Your will be done when I am valued and when I am disregarded; when I find fulfillment and when it is lacking; when I have all things, and when I have nothing. I willingly offer all I have and am to serve you, as and where you choose. Glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. May it be so for ever. Let this covenant now made on earth be fulfilled in heaven. Amen.

[All sit and we continue in prayer:]

Minister: As we have entered this covenant not for ourselves alone, but as God’s servants and witnesses, let us pray for the Church and the world. Loving God, hear us as we pray for your holy catholic Church:
ALL: Make us all one, that the world may believe.
Minister: Inspire and lead all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world:
ALL: Establish justice and peace among all people.
Minister: Have compassion on all who suffer from any sickness, grief or trouble:
ALL: Deliver them from their distress.
Minister: We praise you for all your saints who have entered your eternal glory, Lord Jesus Christ, Light of the World:
ALL: Bring us all to share in your heavenly kingdom.

[The Minister concludes the prayer.]

THE CHORAL RESPONSE TO PRAYER

THE ANTHEM Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart Willan

THE OFFERTORY

Minister: "What shall I return to the Lord for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people." Psalm 116:12-14

THE ANTHEM Those Who Love the Lord Kirk

*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

*HYMN 513 Lord of Life and King of Glory

*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 Lobe Den Herren

*Indicates where the congregation is asked to stand.

Today’s Chancel flowers are given by Jim Santelle in new year celebration and honor of our nation’s
inspiring history, animating diversity, abiding resilience, illuminating vision, and exhilarating majesty.

CARE FOR CHILDREN

A nursery for infants and toddlers is available during the 10:00 am service.
Sunday School for children 3 years through 8th grade.

Worship Preview for Sunday, January 17 10:00 AM

Dr. Peay will offer the sermon entitled, “Come to the Party…”
Thomas Gregory is the organist.
Lee Jacobi directs the Choir of First Church.

Next week our 10 am service will flow into the Annual Meeting of the Church.
Please come and be a part of this important act of worship and service