THE MONTH AHEAD

January

         8 Services at 8 am and 10:30 am

       9 Women’s Bible Study at 9:15 am in the Chapel

         AA 7:30 pm

     10 Christian Education 7 pm

     12 Personnel 6 pm

           Choir 7 pm

     13 Communion 8 am

           Arts Council Presents Roy Hurd -7:30 pm

     14 Jamaica Mission Team Leaves

       16  Office Closed

       18 Worship Committee 7 pm

     21 Karen Mason Concert – Westside Ballroom 8 pm

     23 Finance Committee 6 pm

     29 Congregational Meeting - 9:15 am in the Chapel

WORSHIP SERVICE

10:30 A.M.

January 8, 2012

Baptism of Jesus

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE:                                                                                             *CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                          The Powerful voice of God created all worlds.                            That same voice calls us to worship.                                      Ascribe to our God glory and strength.                                         Come before God’s glorious majesty.                                           God’s strength shakes the wilderness.                                      That same strength is offered to people of faith.                       The flames of God penetrate our cold hearts.                             May God bless all people with true peace.                                    Come together to remember your baptism.                                Gather to celebrate the Spirit’s gifts.                                    The heavens open to us at the Word of God.                               Surely God forgives and makes whole.

*HYMN: “What a Mighty God We Serve”             #2021 (STF)    *PRAYER OF THE DAY (In Unison)                                          The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray:                   Powerful God, whose voice penetrates the wilderness of our deceits, and whose transforming reality is symbolized in the act of baptism, take us now to the River Jordan, that we might share Jesus’ moment of emptying self to receive your Spirit in all its power.  Move us to remembrance that we have been baptized, that your grace was poured out on us, not because we earned it, but because of your amazing generosity.  Amid the wonder of it all, we would accept once more Christ’s call to discipleship. Amen.

FIRST READING: Genesis 1:1-5                                                      The Word of the Lord!                                                          Thanks be to God.                                                                            ANTHEM: “There’s A Quiet Understanding”          Smith-Wilson   SECOND READING:  Acts 19:1-7                                                       The Word of the Lord!                                                          Thanks be to God.                                                                            *GLORIA PATRI                                                        #579 (P)         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 PEACE                                                                                         (Greet those about you, sharing signs of peace and reconciliation)

*HYMN: “God’s Great Love Is So Amazing!”          #2145 (STF)  GOSPEL LESSON:  Mark 1:4-11                                                       The Gospel of the Lord!                                                      All praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ.                                          CHILDREN’S SERMON                                                                         SERMON:  “OBLIVIOUS”                                                                              Rev. Dr. Robert E. Svenson                                PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE / LORD’S PRAYER                                 OFFERTORY:                                                                                      *DOXOLOGY                                                                     #593 (P)   Praise God from whom all blessings flow;                                    Praise Him, all creatures here below;                                          Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;                                          Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION                                                                Mighty God, you have given us everything we have. You have granted us life.  You have poured out abiding love on our behalf.  You have made us rich.  We share out of this awareness, and because we care about people who do not know you, people who have not shared your abundance, people who have defied your commandments, people who need your love. Bless our gifts to do the work you intend. Amen.                                                                                                *HYMN:  “Shine, Jesus, Shine”                      #2173 (STF)      *BENEDICTION                                                                                 May you run and not be weary.                           #2281 (STF)   May your heart be filled with song.                                               And may the love of God continue                                               to give you hope and keep you strong.                                         And may you run and not be weary.                                             May your life be filled with joy!                                                       And may the road you travel                                                       always lead you home.                                                                    POSTLUDE: