A voice came from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3.17
Processional Hymn: #162 Sing of God Made Manifest
Sing of God made manifest
in a child robust and blest,
to whose home in Bethlehem
where a star had guided them
magi came and gifts unbound,
signs mysterious and profound:
myrrh and frankincense and gold
grave and God and king foretold.
Sing of God made manifest
when at Jordan John confessed,
"I should be baptized by you,
but your bidding I will do."
Then from heaven a double sign--
dove-like Spirit, voice divine--
hailed the true Anointed One:
"This is my beloved Son."
Sing of God made manifest
when Christ came as wedding-guest
and at Cana gave a sign,
turning water into wine;
further still was love revealed
as he taught, forgave, and healed,
bringing light and life to all
who would listen to God's call.
Sing of God made manifest
on the cloud-capped mountain's crest,
where the Law and Prophets waned
so that Christ alone remained:
glimpse of glory, pledge of grace,
given as Jesus set his face
towards the waiting cross and grave,
sign of hope that God would save.
Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land
Call to Worship “AN INVITATION TO A BRAVE SPACE IN 2023”
Together we will create brave space,
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space” We exist in the real world We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds. In this space we seek to turn down the volume of the outside world. We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere, we call each other to more truth and love; we have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow. We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know. We will not be perfect. It will not always be what we wish it to be, but It will be our brave space together, and we will work on it side by side. Amen
(Prayer by Micky Scottbey Jones)
(We prepare our hearts for worship in silence)
The Gathering of the Community (Service begins on p. 185)
Kyrie Eleison p. 186
Collect Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit, keep your children, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to their calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word (Led by Joyce Bainbridge)
Hebrew Scripture: ISAIAH 42:1-9
PSALM 29 R: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
The Epistle: ACTS 10:34-43
Gospel Hymn: #45 Down Galilee’s Slow Roadways
Down Galilee’s slow roadways
a stranger traveled on
from Nazareth to Jordan
to be baptized by John.
He went down to the waters
like soldier, scribe and slave,
but there within the river
the sign was birth and grave.
Arising from the river,
he saw the heaven’s torn;
It seemed the sky, was open,
to show the Spirit’s form.
The holy dove descended
he heard a glorious voice:
“You are my own beloved –
my child, my heart, my choice.”
We too have found a roadway;
it led us to this place.
We all have had to travel
in search of hope and grace.
But now beside this water
again a voice is heard:
“You are my own, my chosen,
beloved of your Lord.”
The Gospel: MATTHEW 3:13-17
Homily: “Baptism & our Faith”
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed p. 189 (please stand as able)
Prayers of the People (Led by Rev. Marion)
Confession and Absolution p. 191
The Peace p. 192
Offertory Hymn: #628 Oh Love How Deep, How Broad, How High
O love, how deep, how broad, how high!
It fills the heart with ecstasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortals’ sake.
God sent no angel to our race,
of higher or of lower place,
but wore the robe of human frame
for us, and to this lost world came.
For us he was baptized and bore
his holy fast, and hungered sore.
For us temptation sharp he knew,
for us the tempter overthrew.
For us he prayed, for us he taught,
for us his daily works he wrought,
by words and signs and actions thus
still seeking not himself but us.
For us to wickedness betrayed,
scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
he bore the shameful cross and death,
for us at length gave up his breath.
For us he rose from death again
For us he went on high to reign
For us he sent his Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.
To God whose boundless love has won
Salvation for us through the Son,
To God the Father, glory be
Both now and through eternity.
Prayer over the Gifts God of life and freedom, we celebrate the revelation of Jesus as the Christ who makes all creation new. Accept all we offer you this day and make us new in him, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer (sung) p. 211
The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 4) p. 212
The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion)
Communion Hymn: My Love Colors Outside the Lines
My love colours outside the lines,
Exploring paths that few could ever find
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.
Refrain:
We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown,
body and soul need a soaking from time to time.
And we’ll never move the gravestones if we’re not prepared to die
and realize there are worlds outside the lines.
My Lord colours outside the lines,
turns wounds to blessings, water into wine;
and takes me into places where I’ve never been before
and opens doors to worlds outside the lines. Refrain
My soul longs to colour outside the lines,
tear back the curtains, sun come in and shine,
I want to walk beyond the boundaries, where I’ve never been before,
throw open doors to worlds outside the lines. Refrain
Prayer after Communion: Gracious God, lover of all, by this sacrament you make us one family in Christ your Son, one in the sharing of his body and blood, one in the communion of his Spirit. Help us to grow in love for one another and come to the full maturity of the Body of Christ. We ask this in his name. Amen
Doxology (Old 100th): Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly
hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen
The Blessing
Closing Hymn: #155 From East to West, From Shore to Shore
From east to west, from shore to shore,
let every heart awake and sing
the holy child whom Mary bore,
the Christ, the everlasting King.
Behold! The world's creator wears
the form and fashion of a slave;
our very flesh our Maker shares,
his fallen creature now to save.
For this how wondrously he wrought!
A maiden, in her lowly place,
became, in ways beyond all thought,
the chosen vessel of his grace.
Assenting to the angel's word,
she chose what God the Spirit willed,
and suddenly the promised Lord
that pure and hallowed temple filled.
He shrank not from the oxen's stall,
he lay within the manger bed,
and he whose bounty feeds us all
at Mary's breast himself was fed.
And while the angels in the sky
sang praise above the silent field,
to shepherds poor the Lord most high,
the one great Shepherd, was revealed.
All glory for this blessèd morn
to God, the source of all, is due;
all praise to you, O Virgin-born,
all praise, O Holy Ghost, to you.
The Dismissal p. 215
