Sunday, January 8, 2012

Baptism of Christ

Holy Communion

 We Gather To Worship

Prelude

 Announcements

Chime Interlude

 *Call To Worship

Leader:    All who thirst, come to the water and drink deeply of these living streams.  Come, all who are weary; come, all who yearn for forgiveness.  Our gracious God beckons and blesses us.  Let us give praise for new life in Christ.        

 *Hymn:  “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” ……………………#190

 *Invocation (We light the Christ Candle.)

Leader:    Holy God, you sent your Son to be baptized among sinners, to seek and save the lost.  May we, who have been baptized in his name, never turn away from the world but reach out in love to rescue the wayward, by the mercy of Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

All:          Amen.

 *Response:  “O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ”…………..#359, V 1

 Prayer Of Confession

One:        The Holy Voice is over the waters

All:          but when the waters are rough our fear can beat a rhythm louder than the pulsing of the Spirit.

One:        The Holy Voice is powerful

All:          but voices of desire, comfort, success and power call to us seductively and persuasively, and we turn from God.

One:        The Holy Voice flashes forth flames of fire,

All:          to light our path, and warm our hearts, but there are times when we prefer the shadows, when we prefer to linger in the cold of night.    (A time for silent prayers of confession; Music:  “Christ is the World’s Light.”)

 Assurance Of God’s Forgiveness

One:        The Holy Voice shakes the wilderness, into which we roam, and calls to us, coaxing us out of fear driving idols away, guiding us home.

 Affirmation:    “O Splendor of God’s Glory Bright”. . .…..#27, V 1 & 3

 We Hear The Word

ReadingOf The Scripture:    Genesis 1: 1-5

A Time For Children

Anthem:    “The Hand That Held Mary’s Child”…(words are printed in the Announcements section)…..Forrest

Soloist:  Heather; Cello:  Laura

 Reading Of The Gospel:    Mark 1: 4-11

Message For This Day                                        

We Respond To God

 *Hymn:  “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”…………..#290

Pastoral Prayers And 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 sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.)

 Installation Of New Consistory Members

(Roger, Pam, Angie, and Dave)

(We say farewell and thanks to off-going members:  Annette, Fred, Donna, and  Jeffrey.)

 Introduction

Pastor:     Affirmation of ministry is the act whereby a local church of the United Church of Christ recognizes the diverse gifts of its members…in the life of the world.  There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.

 People:   There are different ways of serving but the same God is served.

 Pastor:     There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives the ability to each of us for our particular service.

People:   The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.

Pastor:    Christ is a single body, which has many parts.

 People:  It is still one body even though it is made up of different parts.

Pastor:    If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.

 People:  All of us are Christ’s body, and each one is a part of it.

 Covenant (Consistory members will affirm their commitment to serve)

Pastor:    (to the congregation):  Members of this household of faith…Will those who are able rise and witness to the commitment we now make?

 People:  We gather in celebration of the joy that is ours to be partners with you in the service of Jesus Christ.  We promise to love you, honor your leadership and assist you that together we may be a faithful church of Jesus Christ.

 Prayer

 Declaration & Greeting of Christian Love

Consistory President:   In the name of Jesus Christ, and on behalf of the people of Zion United Church of Christ, I rejoice to announce that you are installed as members of Consistory.  In accordance with the faith and order of this church, I extend to you the hand of Christian love.

People:   Thanks be to God!

Our Offering

Offertory

*Doxology:  “Praise God from Whom All Blessings” ……………….#809

*Prayer Of Dedication

 *Invitation To Christ’s Table

*The Great Thanksgiving

Pastor:      The Lord be with you.

People:     And also with you.

Pastor:      Lift up your hearts.

People:            We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor:              Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People:            It is right to give God thanks and praise.

                        (congregation may be seated)

 Pastor:  Thanks and praise, glory and honor are rightly yours, Creator God.  Your steadfast love endures forever and ever.  And so we praise you with the faithful of every time and place, gathered in word and spirit with choirs of angels and the whole creation in the eternal hymn:

ALL:   Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest!

Pastor:  In the fullness of time, you gave us your Son, Jesus Christ, to be for us the way, the truth, and the life.  We remember that on the night of betrayal and desertion, Jesus took bread, gave you thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to the disciples, saying:  “This is my body which is broken for you.  Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, Jesus also took the cup, after supper, saying:  “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

 Blessing Of The Elements

 The Sharing Of The Elements

(The pastor says “The Bread of Heaven” as a sign to take the bread, and “The Cup of Blessing” as a sign to drink from the cups.)  (Please note the grape juice is in the outer ring and the wine is in the inner ring.  The round wafers are gluten-free.  Please hold each element so we may eat and drink together.)

 *Prayer Of Thanksgiving

ALL:      Gracious God, we praise, worship and adore you for the food received at your table.  You have sent your Holy Spirit among us to make our meal at this table a memorial of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We go from here, strengthened, refreshed, and empowered by your Spirit to make our living and working, our loving and doing and thinking, a true and joyful ministry in your name.  Amen.

 *Closing Hymn:  “We Bless the Name of Christ the Lord” ………#761

*Blessing

Leader:    With this water we recall our baptism into the Body of Christ.  With the story of Jesus’ baptism, and the voice of God calling him Beloved, we know ourselves to be called by God to live out our faith in Christ.  Go and celebrate your baptism; celebrate that you are beloved, and share the good news with others that they are God’s beloved, too.  Amen.

*Choral Benediction:  “Lord, Now Let Your Servant”……#343, V 1 & 3

*Chime Meditation

Postlude

*Where noted, please stand if able.                                           

January’s  Proverb:  

The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord, searching every inmost part.       Proverbs  20: 27

 The Food Pantry Item for January is laundry detergent.

Our Next Trivia Nite will be Sunday, January 15, starting at 6:00 p.m.  Please consider getting a team together and joining us for an evening of fun and fellowship!  Any questions, contact Gina.

Soup Kitchen update:  the last Soup Kitchen meal for 2011 was held on December 31(New Year’s Eve) with an outstanding turn-out – the special holiday turkey dinner with all the fixin’s was a huge hit feeding over 40 people who attended!  Most of the attendees wanted seconds and sometimes even third refills.  The kindness ofZion members and friends went beyond the call of generosity with enough food leftover for a complete meal at the Homeless Shelter on New Year’s Eve.  Jordan and I truly felt blessed when we were able to deliver the boxed meal to the Homeless Shelter after feeding those at the Soup Kitchen.  Thank you everyone for your time and generosity in making the 2011 Soup Kitchen a fruitful and inspiring commitment from the members of Zion UCC.

 The first Soup Kitchen meal for the 2012 will be held on 1/31, Tuesday. Zion provides meal only; serving is not required. Sign-up sheet with menu will be on the credenza beginning the first week in January.  Please remember, all food will be picked up at the church by 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, 1/28, to deliver to the Soup Kitchen on the same day.  News Flash – the new Soup Kitchen headquarters is scheduled to open and begin serving on January 4, 2012. 

 Scarves For Special Olympics (Date Change).   The organizers of the Special Olympics are interested in providing handmade scarves to the participants in this year’s winter games.  The scarves may be knitted or crocheted in any pattern, but they must use Red Heart Yarn #319 Cherry Red and #387 Soft Navy.  Each scarf must be 6 inches wide and 54-60 inches long, and must use both colors of yarn.   Completed scarves should be returned to Valerie by Sunday, January 22, 2012.  Please see Valerie if you would like additional information.  

 The 2012 Flower Calendar is posted in the vestibule.  Please consider sponsoring the flowers that beautify our sanctuary.   Available dates:  Jan. 22; Feb. 5, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 25; Apr. 1, 22, 29; May 27; and June 10, 17.

 2012 Greeters Needed for Jan. 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 22, 26; Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25.

2012 Bulletin  Sponsors Needed for Jan. 15, 22, 29; Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26; Mar. 4, 18, 25. 

 

 Anthem:  The Hand That First Held Mary’s Child

 The hand that first held Mary’s child were rough from working wood.  From boards they sawed and planned and filled and splinters they withstood.  This day they gripped no tool of steel, they drove no iron nail, but cradled from the head to heel our Lord, newborn and frail.

 When Joseph marveled at the size of that small breathing frame, and gazed upon those bright new eyes and spoke the infant’s name, the angel’s words he once had dreamed poured down from heaven’s height, and like the host of stars that beamed   blessed earth with welcome light.

 ”This child shall be Emmanuel, not God upon the throne, but God with us, Emmanuel, as close as blood and bone.”

The tiny form in Joseph’s palms confirmed what he had heard, and from his heart rose hymns and psalms for heaven’s human word.

 The tools that Joseph laid aside a mob would later lift and use with anger, fear, and pride to crucify God’s gift.

Let us, O Lord, not only hold the child who’s born to us but charged with faith may we be bold  to follow in His way.

 

 Coming Up Next Week:

Jan. 11, Bible Discovery, Fellowship Hall, 6:30 pm

Jan. 11, Choir Practice,            Sanctuary, 7:30 pm

Jan. 14, Consistory/Staff dinner

 

 Looking Forward:

Jan. 15, Trivia Nite, 6:00 pm

Jan. 23, Consistory Mtg,ZionHse, 7:00 pm    

Jan. 26, Book Club, Mustard Seed Rm, 7:00 pm

Jan. 30, CEST Mtg, Main SS Rm, 7:00 pm                 

Jan. 31, Soup Kitchen, Peace House, 10:45 – 1 pm

Feb. 2, Worship and Music Cmte,ZionHse,    7:30 pm

Feb. 6, Something More, Oakside Park, 12 noon