First Sunday after the Epiphany Baptism of the Lord The Light of Baptism

Transcription

1 An Open and Affirming Beloved Faith Community Welcoming and Inclusive Theologically Progressive x First Sunday after the Epiphany Baptism of the Lord The Light of Baptism

2 The Lord's Day First Sunday after the Epiphany Baptism of the Lord The Light of Baptism Ten O'clock in the Morning The Worship of God THE SERVICE OF PREPARATION Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of the conscience by God's holiness; the nourishment of the mind with God's truth; the purifying of the imagination by God's beauty; the opening of the heart to God's love; the surrender of the will to God's purpose and all of this gathered up in adoration. ~ William Temple Prologue On this high and holy festival day, the liturgy carries the water for the rich themes we will engage in worship, as both sacraments celebrated by our tradition are brought closely into view. We are mixing metaphors like chemicals in a laboratory as we combine the images of Epiphany and Baptism, creating a vast spectrum of sensory awareness. This holy season poignantly reminds us of God's love for all people, an "extravagant welcome," an expansive inclusiveness, a radical hospitality. Epiphany even comes with its own subtitle, "The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles," a reminder that God's unbound unfettered, unhindered, and unlimited love is poured out once and for all for all flesh. Bask in The Light of your Baptism today, a permanent sign, a mark, an imprimatur of God's love and grace stamped upon your wonderfully, faithfully blest life. The Gathering Music The Call to Worship and Welcome The Spirit of the still speaking God be with you! And also with you. The Music for Organ Prelude in Ab Major Alexandre Guilmant The Lighting of the Altar Candles The Opening of the Lectern Bible The Gathering Arise, shine, for your light has come! The glory of the Lord has risen upon us! Lift up your eyes! Beloved faith community, look around you at all the bright faces gathered here as you join with all the faithful of the earth to render praise unto God! Bearing gifts of worship, we come proclaiming the praise of the Holy in this sacred space! Let us worship God.

3 The Introit The Light of the World Is Jesus Philip P. Bliss Jo-Anne Winslow, alto In darkness the whole world was seeking a light, the Light of the World is Jesus: Like sunshine at noonday, Christ's glory shown bright, the Light of the World is Jesus. The baptismal light shines brightly for all; salvation assured, none ever shall fall; once through a dark glass, we all will yet see: the Light of the World is Jesus. In baptisms' waters we find a new day, the Light of the World is Jesus: Christ orders our step, now lighting our way. The Light of the World is Jesus! The baptismal light shines brightly for all; salvation assured, none ever shall fall; The Collect Let us pray: God of all nations, we have come bearing our gifts of worship before the One whose light has shone upon all the earth, whose light shines in the thickest darkness; You have made us radiant through the gift of Your Son, thrilling our hearts as we rejoice in Your glorious goodness graciously given unto us; on this great high and holy festival day we proclaim the praise of the Lord; may Your glory rise upon us, overshadowing us with Your holy presence; as we celebrate Jesus' baptism, as well as our own this day, may the light of all our baptisms shine brightly, a reminder of the goodness and grace that flows abundantly from You, informing and impacting the faith You have instilled within us; all this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy and still speaking Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. t The Processional Hymn THE SERVICE OF PRAISE As with Gladness Men of Old DIX 2

4 t The Litany of Praise The justice and righteousness of the Holy One is given through a royal Son. God is quick to defend the cause of the poor, delivering those who are in need while crushing the wicked ways of those who seek to oppress. The Holy One is like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. God's righteousness and peace goes before us! The mightiest rulers bow in humility, rendering homage to the Holy, paying tribute to their Creator. The Holy One delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. God pities the lowly, saving their lives, redeeming all humanity from oppression and violence! To You, O God, we offer our praise! Praise the Lord! t The Gloria GREATOREX The Call to Confession 1 All of us have stepped forth out of the safe waters of baptism, bringing hope as we share words of grace, carrying health and healing into the brokenness of the lives around us. Let us confess that we still struggle to follow the paths of faith illumined before us by the light of Jesus. In the silence and stillness of these moments, let us confess before the Holy. The Silent Confession The Corporate Confession 2 THE SERVICE OF CONFESSION Let us pray to the Lord: Timeless God, You cast light into the dark places of our lives, calling us Your beloved. Forgive us when we linger in the shadows, when we treat others in hurtful ways, when we speak ill of everyone You have called friend, created in Your holy image. As Jesus knelt in the waters of the Jordan, submitting Himself in humility before You, You proclaimed clearly for all to hear that 3

5 Himself in humility before You, You proclaimed clearly for all to hear that Jesus was Your Child, pointing to Him as a way to You. Forgive us when we put ourselves ahead of Him, choosing to lead rather than follow, or when we think He is no longer needed. Forgive us when we fail to see Him in the brokenness of our world. Baptized and blessed in Your living waters, You call us once again to be Your servants in our time. Forgive us when we fail to welcome the stranger, offering hospitality to all, or when we refuse to forgive as we know we should. Forgive us when we believe we are too good to serve those who seem lost, the least, the last, and the little. The Kyrie arr. David N. Johnson The Assurance of Pardon 3 Hear the good news of Epiphany and the light of Baptism. Touched by the waters of life, fed at the feast of grace and hope, embraced in the warmth of God's love and hope, this is good news indeed! Blessed by baptism's tears, called to servanthood by the Beloved, filled with the peace of the holy and still speaking Spirit, we are proclaimed as God's people: redeemed and refreshed, renewed and restored to serve. Thanks be to God! The Hymn We Three Kings Barbara Brtva, alto; Jo-Anne Winslow, alto; Timothy Shirley, baritone KINGS OF ORIENT 4

6 THE SERVICE OF THE WORD The Witness from the Hebrew Scriptures ISAIAH 60:1-6 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord. Listen to what the Spirit of the still speaking God is saying. Thanks be to God! The Response, PSALM 72 Grant Justice, Lord, to Those Who Rule 5 EIN' FESTE BURG

7 The Witness from the New Testament ACTS 19:1-7 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Then he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John s baptism." Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the One who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied altogether there were about twelve of them. Listen to what the Spirit of the still speaking God is saying. Thanks be to God! t The Sequence Hymn The First Nowell 6 THE FIRST NOWELL

8 There will be a break between verses two and three for the reading of the first Gospel. The reading of the Gospel is read in the midst of the beloved faith community, reminding the congregation that the gospel is for all people, and that our call is to carry out its witness in the world. At this high point in the liturgy, the Gospel is not worshipped, but rather is reverenced with respect as it proclaims the ministry and mission of Jesus, represented in words attributed to Jesus. t The Witness from the Gospels MATTHEW 2:1-12 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the Child who has been born King of the Jews? For we observed His star at its rising, and have come to pay Him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.' " Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the Child; and when you have found Him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay Him homage." When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they knelt down and paid Him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road. The Gospel for today. Thanks be to God! 7

9 t The Sequence Hymn When Jesus Came to Jordan LANCASHIRE There will be a break between verses one and two for the reading of the second Gospel. t The Witness from the Gospels MARK 1:4-11 John the Baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The One who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I have baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as He was coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on Him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are My Son, the Beloved; with You I am well pleased." The Gospel for today. Thanks be to God! Timothy W. Shirley The Homily THE SERVICE OF COMMITMENT t The Eucharistic Hymn Shall We Gather at the River 8 HANSON PLACE

10 t The Peace The peace of Christ always be with you. And also with you. The Concerns of the Church The Pastoral Prayer The Receiving of Our Gifts The Offertory Some Children See Him Barbara Brtva, alto David Lickfeldt, Vice-Moderator Some children see Him lily white, the baby Jesus born this night. Some children see Him lily white, with tresses soft and fair. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, the Lord of heaven to earth come down. Some children see Him bronzed and brown, with dark and heavy hair. Some children see Him almond-eyed, this Savior whom we kneel beside. Some children see Him almond-eyed, with skin of yellow hue. Some children see Him dark as they, sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray. Some children see him dark as they, and, ah! they love Him, too! The children in each different place will see the baby Jesus' face like theirs, but bright with heavenly grace, and filled with holy light. O lay aside each earthly thing and with thy heart as offering, come worship now the infant King. 'Tis love that's born today! Alfred Burt t The Doxology for Epiphany 4 OLD HUNDREDTH t The Presentation of Our Gifts 9

11 t The Prayer of Thanksgiving 5 Bathed in the waters of baptism, we are graced people, recognizing the gifts which have been poured out upon us. Immersed in the waters of baptism we are grateful people, acknowledging all Your precious gifts. We are especially thankful for these offerings we receive today, gladly giving back to You, God of holy waters, as You have given unto us. Our utmost prayer is that these gifts will bless others, enhancing Your realm on earth, each one baptized in hope, graced with joy, gifted with peace, and bathed in love. Amen! t The Greeting 6 May the Creator of heaven and earth be with you! And also with you. t The Sursum Corda (Lift up your hearts.) 7 People of God, lift up your hearts. We lift them to the One who gave His heart to heal us. Let us give thanks to the One who made everything and called it all "good". How right it is to give thanks and praise to the One who calls us "beloved," created in the divine image of the Holy. t THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION The Sanctus 8 Into the shadows of silence, You hummed the first chords of creation. Heart of tenderness, Your word crafted the sun to welcome each day, the moon and stars to guide the night. The holy and still speaking Spirit gathered up the dust of chaos and shaped it into vast universes, flinging them into space and time. Floating on the warm waters of Eden, cradled in Your love and joy, we could have lived with You forever. But, as we are wont to do, almost as if we were strangely programmed, we made mud pies out of the dust of the earth, creating death out of dirt, shaping our own foolish dreams, chasing after lesser things. You were always aware of our proclivities. Prophets came and went, sent from Your heart to call us back to You, but we could not hear them over the shouts of our desires. So, once it appeared there was no hope in sight, You sent Your Child, Jesus, the One who was willing to take on everything that kept us from You. With those who ran to the river's edge, and dared to enter those not so troubled waters, immersing themselves in ripples of grace, with our beloved sisters and brothers in every time and place, we boldly proclaim Your love: Holy, holy, holy! Creator of light and life. Heaven and earth forever sings of Your love and joy. Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is the One who comes to be baptized and to baptize by water and the holy and still speaking Spirit. Hosanna in the highest! Awesome is Your voice of life and hope. All creation resounds with Your wondrous love. 10

12 t The Sanctus Holy, Holy, Holy Lord Richard Proulx Blessedness is Your nature, holy imagination, and bright is Your morning star, Jesus of Nazareth. When our hearts were hardened towards You, Christ came to soften them with the grace that only comes from God. Knowing we had lost our way, Jesus came to walk by our side, unfolding the map of God's heavenly realm, pointing out the way home, now and for all eternity. Standing with us in baptism's waters, Jesus journeyed alone to the cross, leading us into Your heart, leaving death empty and alone. The Words of Institution The Acclamation On this day, we remember and reaffirm our baptism, proclaiming the life and love of Jesus, and the hope which is ours in the mystery we call faith. Bathed in Your tears, Christ died for us; washed in resurrection waters, Christ rose for us; bringing the waters of life, Christ comes to us continually. The Prayer of Consecration 9 Let us pray to the Lord. As Your holy and still speaking Spirit changed chaos into creation, may these simple gifts of bread and wine be transformed into Your life and peace for us. We come to this table, Your baptized and beloved children, hungry for Your hope in our lives, yearning for Your peace to fill us. And once we are fed by You, empower us to go forth into the world to bring the homeless from their lonely streets, to feed the hungry with more than clichés, to welcome the 11

13 homeless from their lonely streets, to feed the hungry with more than clichés, to welcome the stranger and embrace the outcast as our brothers and sisters. And when time has ended its journey, and we are gathered as Your family around the Table of grace at the great banquet feast in God's realm, we will join our hands and hearts together, singing praises to You through all eternity, God in beloved faith community, Holy in One. Amen. The Lord's Prayer in the Form of a Litany And now, with confidence as the children of God, let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught with words words like like these: these: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Gracious heavenly Parent, holy is the One who is the great "I am." Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We pray for the divine age to come and for Your will to be accomplished, on earth as it is in Your realm. Give us this day our daily bread. Sustain us with holy food that transcends each and every day. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Please forgive us our obligations as we forgive those who are obligated to us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Do not tempt us with the things of this world and keep us from anything that might diminish our relationships with You, with one another, and with ourselves. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. For it is Your sphere, Your realm, Your dominion, Your splendor, majesty, and radiance forever and always. Amen. Alleluia. The Table has been set and Christ invites us to join Him here. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. Communion will be served by intinction at the Chancel. You are invited to come forward to receive the Eucharist. If you so prefer, a member of the Diaconate will be glad to serve you at your pew. Wine is offered from the Pulpit or Gospel side, while grape juice is available from the Lectern or Epistle side. Individually-wrapped gluten-free wafers are available. Everyone is invited to partake of the elements as you receive them. The Invitation to the Table The Sharing of the Eucharist The Music for Communion Cantabile 12 Raymond Haan

14 The Post-Communion Prayer On this day, God of sacramental goodness and grace, we are thankful for a host of gracious gifts. For our baptisms, we thank You for living and loving waters that cleanse and renew, refreshing and restoring our parched spirits, a profound reminder of Your unlimited salvation blessing our lives. For bread and wine, we thank You for feeding with holy food and satisfying our thirst with holy drink, nourishing our spirits, feeding our souls and quenching our thirst for You. May these glorious sacraments of grace fill us with Your Spirit as we continue, alone and together, our sacred journey into Your Being. Amen. The Dismissal Go in peace, refreshed, renewed, and restored by the light of Your baptism, empowered to serve Christ by serving humanity in the myriad ways, the countless opportunities that the holy and still speaking Spirit will serendipitously unfold before your eyes as you live your life in the light of God's love. Thanks be to God! THE SERVICE OF DISCIPLESHIP t The Processional Hymn God of the Sparrow 13 MORNING STAR

15 t The Benediction 10 Go into the world as God's beloved children. We will go, sharing the gift of grace which flows from God's heart. Go into the world as baptized sisters and brothers of Jesus. We will go, bringing the light of hope to all in despair. Go into the world as those filled with the Holy Spirit. We will go, listening for the whispered yearnings crying out for peace and reconciliation. Amen and Amen! t The Benediction Response Shine, Jesus, Shine Jo-Anne Winslow, alto Shine, Jesus, shine; fill this land with the Father's glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow; flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light. Graham Kendrick The Closing of the Lectern Bible The Extinguishing of the Altar Candles The Music for Organ Postlude in G Major t Those who are able are invited to stand. Worship Notes: Alexandre Guilmant The Worship of God concludes with The Music for Organ. We invite you to be seated and reflect on today s service, preparing to process into the world, sharing the love of Jesus and the "extravagant welcome" of SouthShore United Church of Christ with everyone you meet. The congregation processes into the world to share the love of Christ and the "extravagant welcome" of SouthShore United Church of Christ with all persons everywhere. The color for the First Sunday after the Epiphany, Baptism of the Lord, is White, a symbol of purity and victory. The theme for today's worship service is The Light of Baptism. * Scripture readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) unless otherwise noted. 1-3 Copyright 2015 by Thom M. Shuman, in Lectionary Liturgies, liturgies based on the Revised Common Lectionary for each Sunday of the Church Year. 4 Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship, ed. by Ruth C. Duck and Maren C. Tirabassi; Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, Shuman. 14

16 Music Copyright Information: The Light of the World Is Jesus. Public Domain. Word text 2018 by Timothy W. Shirley. Grant Justice, Lord, to Those Who Rule from The Psalter for Christian Worship, Witherspoon Press. Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us. Text 1974 and 1992, Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press. When Jesus Came to Jordan by Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Some Children See Him and 1957, renewed 1982 and Hollis Music, Inc. All rights reserved. Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord. Music: Community Mass, Richard Proulx. 1971, 1977 G. I. A. Publications, Inc. God of the Sparrow. Music 1983 by G. I. A. Publications, Inc. Shine, Jesus, Shine. Text and music Make Way Music. ASCAP. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. OneLicense.net License #A All rights reserved. CCLI License # An Invitation to Our Guests: Please join us for refreshments at Coffee Hour in Hospitality Hall following Morning Worship. SUNDAY ~ JANUARY 7, 2018 CELEBRANT~Timothy W. Shirley LITURGIST~Marianne Strehar LECTOR~Robert Reter GOSPELER ~ Timothy W. Shirley ORGANIST ~ Jo-Anne Winslow HOSTS ~ Betsy Hinderliter, Coordinator Patty Brandt Karl Buffington Jeanne Domonkos Don Hinderliter Larry Piechoski Bob Reter DEACONS ~ Marcia Crispino, Chair USHERS ~ Jeff Williams, Captain Verna Barnett Patty Brandt Judy Clapp Don Hinderliter SOUND AND LIGHTING ~ Patrick Czeck Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Shirley, Senior Minister Dr. Ryan Hebert, Organist Mrs. Jo Prater, Moderator Dr. Jo-Anne Winslow, Administrative Secretary 1501 La Jolla Avenue ~ Sun City Center, Florida Phone: (813) Fax: (813) Dr. Shirley timwshirley@gmail.com Mrs. Prater southshoreucc@aol.com Church uccscc1@gmail.com Church Website: Church College communitychurchcollege@gmail.com. Church College Website: JANUARY 7, 2018