ORDER FOR WORSHIP
* Congregation stands
BOLD – Congregation responds
Please be mindful of your volume during the Prelude as we prepare for worship together.
PRELUDE Organ Sonata No. 1 –Andante Sostenuto Felix Mendelssohn
SALUTATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
*PASSING OF THE PEACE
*Gloria Patri (pew card)
*CALL TO WORSHIP Ray Durney
(Based on Isaiah 42:1-9)
Thus, says the LORD God,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:
“I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness. I have taken you by the hand and kept you. I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations:
To open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the LORD, that is my name.
See, the former things have come to pass and new things I now declare.
*HYMN No. 169 Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Merciful God,
in baptism you grafted us into the body of Christ,
promising us forgiveness of sin and newness of life.
But we fail to live as forgiven people.
We keep destructive habits and hold grudges.
We allow our past to hold us hostage
and are reluctant to welcome newness.
In your loving-kindness
have mercy on us and free us from sin.
Remind us of the promises you have made to us in baptism
so that we may live as your people,
claimed in the waters of promise.
(Prayers of Silent Confession)
Kyrie (sung):
Choral Leader: Lord, have mercy.
Congregation: Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON/WISDOM FOR LIFE
(Based on Acts 10:34-43)
God shows no partiality.
In every nation, anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.
You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power;
How he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil;
For God was with him.
And God is with you.
Everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through his name!
Glory be to Christ!
JUNIOR SERMON
MUSICAL SOLO If With All Your Hearts Felix Mendelssohn
Soloist – Glenn Alamilla
If with all your hearts ye truly seek me,
ye shall ever surely find me.
Thus saith our God.
Oh! that I knew where I might find Him, that I might even come before His presence! "If with all your hearts ye truly seek me,
ye shall ever surely find me." Thus saith our God.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Presentation of Avery Lee Crawford
*Profession of Faith
Do you promise to love, encourage, and support these brothers and sisters by teaching the gospel of God’s love, by being an example of Christian faith and character, and by giving the strong support of God’s family in fellowship, prayer, and service? We do.
The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)
The Baptismal Covenant
Welcome
Let us welcome the newly baptized.
With joy and thanksgiving
we welcome you into Christ’s church
to share with us in his ministry,
for we are all one in Christ.
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
Glory be to you, O God,
whom we worship in awe and wonder.
You are the author of all beginnings
and all that is pronounced “good.”
In you both day and night have purpose,
both calm and storm have meaning.
Open the eyes of our imagination,
that we may be ready to receive your gifts
and discern your activity in our midst.
In the name of Jesus,
in whose baptism we too are baptized. Amen
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 29 p. 438
Matthew 3:13-17 pp. 784-785
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
SERMON Anointed For Service Rev. Blaine Crawford
CONFESSION OF FAITH
*The Apostles’ Creed (pew card)
OFFERING OURSELVES AND OUR GIFTS
Offertory Say Where Is He Born and There Shall A Star Felix Mendelssohn
Soloist - Glenn Alamilla
When Jesus, Our Lord, was born in Bethlehem,
in the land of Judea;
behold, from the east to the city of Jerusalem
there came wise men, and said:
Say, where is He born, the King of Judea?
For we have seen His star,
and are come to adore Him.
There shall a Star from Jacob come forth,
And a Sceptre from Israel rise up,
And dash in pieces princes and nations.
As bright the star of morning gleams,
So Jesus sheddeth glorious beams
Of light and consolation!
Thy Word, O Lord, radiance darting,
Truth imparting, gives salvation;
Thine be praise and adoration!
*Doxology
*Prayer of Dedication
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
*Communion Hymn Draw Near
Draw near, draw near! Take the body of your Lord.
Draw near, draw near! Drink the blood for you outpoured.
Let us approach with faithful hearts sincere,
and take the pledges of salvation here:
Christ who in this life all the saints defend,
gives all believers life that never ends.
With heavenly bread make those who hunger whole,
gives living waters to the thirsting soul:
Judge of the nations, to whom all must bow,
in this great feast of love is with us now.
Invitation
Communion Prayer
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Sanctus:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
Mystery of the Faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Words of Institution
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord’s Prayer (pew card)
*HYMN No. 150 What Child Is This?
*BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE Improvisation on What Child Is This? Sean Cotty
Announcements
Children at Worship
Children at Worship is a spiritual formation program for children ages 4-9. Children are dismissed following the Junior Sermon and may be picked up from Classroom 2D after the service. Children at Worship will restart on January 12. Until then, children are invited to remain in the sanctuary for worship.
Bible Study
Adult Bible Study has concluded for 2019. Bible study will start again on January 21 with a study on the parables of Jesus! The Bible study meets on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. until 4:45 p.m.
Women’s Shelter Volunteers
Every Friday, we house up to ten women in Gessner Hall. We need volunteers to greet, to provide food and hospitality, and to stay overnight. Sign up on our website or speak with our Women’s Shelter coordinator, Maureen Saepia-Chen, following the service
Food for Kids
School’s back in session which means that our Food for Kids ministry is back in full swing. Each week, bags of food are delivered to a local school to give to children who might be at risk of hunger over the weekend.
We are seeking donations of the following items on a regular basis:
· 1lb. white rice
· 1 can beans (red or black)
· 2 cans vegetables
· 1 can fruit
· 1lb. box of pasta
· 1 can pasta sauce
· 1 box mac & cheese
· 1 box cereal
· *1 jar peanut butter
· *1 jar jelly
*The jars of peanut butter and jelly must be plastic containers.