The Baptism of Jesus. He Qi

Transcription

1 The Baptism of Jesus He Qi He Qi studied at Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing Art Institute in China and Hamburg Art Institute in Germany. He is now an Artist-in-Residence and Visiting Scholar at Claremont School of Theology and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Art Institute of Renmin University of China, Beijing Sudbury United Methodist Church

2 Baptism of the Lord January 7, 2018 Before worship, please feel free to greet those around you. Concerns or celebrations to be included in today s prayers may be recorded on cards in the pew pockets and passed to the ushers during the second hymn. During the prelude, let us prepare silently to worship God. Welcome Prelude (*indicates worshipers may stand, as they are able) *Opening Worship Praise Song: FWS # 2253 Water, River, Spirit, Grace A Reading from the Scriptures: Acts 19:1-7 Into What Then Were You Baptized? Praise Song: FWS # 2248 Baptized in Water *Opening Prayer: (Consultation on Common Texts, USA, 21 st cent., alt.) God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice of flame to be your people, faithful and courageous. As your beloved Son embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the fire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work. We ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen. Children's Time: One of These Things Is Not Like the Other Special Music *Gospel Acclamation: UMH # 230 O Little Town of Bethlehem (before and after reading) O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin and enter in; be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell: Oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel! *A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 1:4-11 (This reading is found on pages in the New Testament.)

3 Sermon: What If the Tear Is Still There? The Rev. Joel B. Guillemette *Hymn of Response: UMH # 331 Holy Spirit, Come, Confirm Us A Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant (insert) A Time of Fellowship Greeting Our Guests Concerns and Celebrations The Pastoral Prayer The Lord s Prayer 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Stewardship Moment: Staff-Parish Relations Committee Offertory *Doxology: UMH # 94 - Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts! Praise Jesus Christ, whose power up-lifts Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! *Hymn of Commitment: UMH # 252 When Jesus Came to Jordan *Dismissal with Blessing Postlude

4 Reconciling & Welcoming Statement: The United Methodist Church is a community of believers and seekers, with differences in age, class, nationality, race, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, abilities, and limitations. We at SUMC recognize that there are attitudes, concerning these diverse characteristics, which violate the integrity of individuals and deny the richness of God s creation. Therefore we affirm our welcome to all people into our community of faith. We are committed to be a fellowship in which all persons feel a part of our family, enabling them to grow in their faith, to be fed by our fellowship, and to contribute their talents to the life of the church in its worship, programs, and outreach. We call the church and society to be sensitive to all persons and to advocate programs which attempt to ensure justice for all. Sudbury United Methodist Church 251 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury, MA Phones: (978) or (978) Fax: (978) Church Office: sumc@sudbury-umc.org Website: Church Staff Lead Pastor: The Rev. Joel Guillemette Business Manager: Michael Greb Christian Education Director: Eric Magnuson Director of Youth Ministries: Zachary Moser Music Director/Organist: Kevin Murphy, AAGO Sanctuary Choir Director: Rob Hammerton Office Administrator: Shetal Kaye Sexton: Joe Picorelli pastorjoel@sudbury-umc.org michael@sudbury-umc.org eric@sudbury-umc.org zack@sudbury-umc.org kevin@sudbury-umc.org rob@sudbury-umc.org sumc@sudbury-umc.org joe@sudbury-umc.org We are a Stephen Ministry Congregation We are a Reconciling and Welcoming Congregation

5 A New Service of Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant Introduction Please stand, as you are able: Sisters and brothers in Christ: through the sacrament of baptism God's Spirit has been poured out upon water, water poured over and immersing us, water that flows freely for all who will receive it, water from the streams of God's saving power and justice, water that brings hope to all who thirst for righteousness, water that refreshes life, nurtures growth, and offers new birth. Today we come to the waters, to renew our commitments in each other's presence to Christ who has raised us, to the Spirit who has birthed us, and to the Creator who is making all things new. Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith Therefore, I ask you, will you turn away from the powers of sin and death? We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, Reject the evil powers of this world and repent of our sin! Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be? We accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves! Will you proclaim the good news and live as disciples of Jesus Christ? We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, put our whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as our Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races! Will you be living witnesses to the gospel, individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?

6 We will remain faithful members of Christ's holy church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world. Will you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments? We affirm and teach the faith of the whole church as we put our trust in God, the Father Almighty; in Jesus Christ, his only Son; and in the Holy Spirit; one God now and forever. Thanksgiving Over the Water The Spirit of the Lord is with us. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Almighty God, the life you birthed in us by baptism into Jesus Christ will never die. Your justice never fails. Your mercy is everlasting. Your healing river flows. Your Spirit blows where you will. We cannot stop you, God! But sometimes we try. We try to block the flow. We try to redirect the winds of the Spirit, or we walk so far away from the life-giving Stream that we do not hear its sound and forget its power. We parch ourselves. We are dry and thirsty, O God. Come upon these waters, Holy Spirit! Let these waters renew in us the resurrection power of Jesus. Let these waters remind us of your righteousness and justice. Abba, Father! Jesus, Savior! Spirit of Holiness! Glory to you, Eternal God! One in Three and Three in One! All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen! All who are baptized and have renewed their vows may come to the font to use the water as a sign of refreshing.

7 Welcome, Guests! Sudbury United Methodist Church January 7, 2018 Are you visiting Sudbury UMC today? Welcome! If you have time after worship, please pause in the narthex to meet our pastor and a few of our church s leaders. If a longer visit is possible, enjoy coffee and conversation in Hawes Hall, just past The Columns, on the south end of our facility. We hope you enjoy your visit and invite you to come back soon! Magic Years to Explore Home Health Care Join Sudbury UMC s retirees on Thursday, January 11, from noon till 2:00 p.m. in Davison Chapel for our next Magic Years gathering! Our special guest this month will be Francisco Ramos, Community Ambassador for Care Giver Homes, Inc. Mr. Ramos will share information about resources available to support individuals over the age of 16 who are taking care of loved ones at home. Contact Eric Magnuson at (ext. 207), or eric@sudburyumc.org to sign-up for the event and/or reserve a seat for this month s catered lunch. Adult Bible Study Begins Tomorrow Paul s First and Second letters to the Corinthians will be the focus of a new Immersion Bible study for adults to be led by John McKinney and Jim Empfield. Classes will take place January 8, 15, 22, 29, and February 5 and 12 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Paul s letters to Corinth discus practical challenges that most Christians wrestle with. To register, or to receive a copy of the workbook, contact Eric Magnuson at , ext. 207, or eric@sudbury-umc.org. A Reminder for Grand-Friends and Prayer Pals The key word for Week 18, January 7 to 13, is Integrity: Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but those who make their ways crooked will be found out (Proverbs 10:9). The 2018 Flower Calendar Has Been Posted If you would like to give flowers for the altar in 2018 in honor or memory of a loved one, the flower calendar has been posted near the door to the church office. Simply select a date, perhaps an anniversary, birthday, or just a date when you would like to honor someone special, and we will take care of the rest. The cost is $ Help the Flower Team enhance worship by giving this gift to God. Questions contact Wanda Doughty at Tis the Season when Friends and Neighbors May Need Care Winter doldrums can trigger loneliness, sadness, or anxiety. Do you know a family member, a friend, or a neighbor who could benefit from a caring relationship? Ten of Sudbury UMC s 13 active Stephen Ministers are available to offer support. To ask about beginning a relationship, speak to Pastor Joel, Richard Smith, or Lori Granger. Or consider praying with a Stephen Minister after worship in the O Reilly Room. Linda Cooper is today s volunteer.

8 Is There Child Care during Sunday Morning Worship Services? Infants and toddlers are welcome in worship. Parents with young children may also visit our Family Room with visual and aural access to the sanctuary. Each Sunday, a pair of CORI-ed volunteers cares for kids age two and younger. Stairs in the northwest corner of the narthex lead up to a cozy room furnished with sofas, toys, and children s books. Where Is the Rest Room? A unisex rest room is located in the southeast corner of the narthex, behind the back row of pews on the pulpit side of the sanctuary. There is another rest room just past the side door of the sanctuary closest to the pulpit and three steps up. Do You Need Hearing Assistance? Individual hearing assistance units are available. An usher will help you to borrow one. If Our Shopping Cart Could Talk Food donations made to the shopping cart outside the O Reilly Room are delivered to Open Table, our partner in Maynard. If our shopping cart could talk, it would politely say, Thank You! to all who visit. Or, it might drop hints like, Don t be a stranger! and I always need solid white tuna in cans, spaghetti sauce in jars, mixed vegetables in cans, pineapple in cans, raisins, dried beans in bags, bread crumbs, condensed milk, rice pilaf, and instant coffee. What Your Name Tag Says About You In addition to your name, your nametag also says you enjoy sharing yourself with others and making new friends. It tells our church s newest staff members that you understand the challenge of learning the names of a whole congregation in a short time. And it tells Sunday morning guests in worship that you are happy to try to answer their questions or introduce them to others who can. Thank you for wearing your nametag! Sudbury UMC Is a Nut Free Zone! Several Sunny Hill preschoolers and staff members have dangerous allergies to nut products and coconut oil. Do not bring food products or soaps containing tree nuts into the church and remember that coconut oil in kitchen cleaners and lotions can be lethal. Thank you! Please Recycle This Bulletin The Worship and Music Commission has placed blue recycle bins near the church s three entrances. Materials not needed at home, along with other clean papers, may be recycled in these bins. Please dispose of paper soiled by food or anything else in wastebaskets. Quiet Time for Spiritual Growth Want to make spiritual growth a New Year s resolution? Quiet time with The Upper Room can lead to a growth spurt! Monthly booklets are available at no cost in the narthex. Or visit The Upper Room online at

9 Opportunities to Engage in Vital Conversations about Racism Our Church Conference has asked us to enter into a series of Vital Conversations about racism with an emphasis on deconstructing the system that supports racism. Starting January 14 with the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. s life and continuing for 4 weeks, the Social Justice and Education Commissions will present a series of videos and conduct facilitated conversations in the Chapel from 11 am to noon: Sunday January 14: After Worship, join us in the Chapel to view a video on Colonial Laws and the Origin of Systematic Racism and share in a facilitated discussion. This session will answer questions such as when/where the term White People was first used and how a racial system was legally constructed by early colonists to benefit the wealthy white landowners. Light refreshments will be served. Sunday January 21: We are pleased to welcome Robin J. Miller, educator and specialist in African American heritage art, as guest preacher. Her sermon, Look to the Lord will recount her story of growing up as an African American in this country. After Worship, in the Chapel Ms. Miller will provide a presentation and engage us in open discussion. Please join us for this informative dialogue and stay for lunch of sandwiches, fruit and desserts. To help us plan for lunch, please RSVP Jean Lind at: JLthebeach@earthlink.net Sunday January 28: After Worship, join us in the Chapel to view Dr. David Hooker s video on Meaningful Conversations on Race and share in a facilitated discussion. Never an easy topic, Dr. Hooker challenges us to consider the myth of race and our own biases. Light refreshments will be served. Sunday February 4: After Worship, join us in the Chapel to view Dr. Robin D Angelo s video on Vital Conversations on Racism and share in a facilitated discussion. Examining key factors in understanding the built- in system of racism, Dr. D Angelo considers the inherent benefits of whiteness. Light refreshments will be served. Note: Dr. D Angelo, a popular author and anti-racism educator, will also speak March 10th at an event co-hosted by Memorial Congregational Church and First Parish Sudbury. Sunday February 11: After Worship, join us in the Chapel to view Bishop Cynthia Moore-KoiKoi s video Tearing Down Fences in Baltimore and share in a facilitated discussion. Bishop Moore-KoiKoi shares her experiences in racially-torn Baltimore and describes a way forward for Christians. Light refreshments will be served.