Service Recording: January 12, 2020
January 12, 2020 ~ 10:30am
First Sunday of Epiphany
Liturgists
The People of Peace Church
Maggie Fink, ASL Interpreter
Holly Bowen-Bailey, Lay Leader
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Kathryn Nelson
Prelude “Pizzicato Polka” Northland’s Finest Horn Choir
Greeting One Another
Announcements
Ringing of the Peace Bells and Candles Lit by Acolytes
God is Revealed as We Gather
Choral Call to Worship “Like the Murmur…” (#270)
Responsive Call to Worship by Thom Shuman
When we are reluctant to dip our toes into faith’s river,
Jesus comes, to teach us how to swim.
When we are hesitant to cup our hands to drink from the fountain of grace,
Jesus comes, to reach in and splash our faces with God’s joy.
When we are unwilling to be the pipeline of hope,
Jesus comes, to turn on the faucets God has installed in our hearts.
*Opening Hymn “Shall We Gather at the River” (#597)
Responsive Prayer of Confession by Sheri Brown
Mighty God, whose spirit moved over the waters on the edge of time,
who stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth,
who gives breath to the people of earth,
and makes them alive with his own life,
this powerful God goes into the water today.
Jesus goes into the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
A muddy river where crowds had bathed and been baptized,
a dirty river full of scraps and waste—
fish bones from lunch and yesterday’s sweat,
soured dreams and bitter tears.
Jesus immersed himself in all of this—the muck of life.
We confess that this is not where we usually look for Jesus.
Let us seek God’s spirit moving over our life’s muddy river as we pray:
Merciful God, open our eyes to see you wading into the worst of what we do and what has been. Help us listen for your voice when we are far from our best—when we are muddy and slippery and shivering—that we might hear you even then call us beloved and find in you a freshwater start to new life.
Assurance of God’s Love
Story for All Ages
God is Revealed in the Word
God’s Word in the Prophets: Isaiah 42:1–9
Anthem “I’m Gonna Sing”
God’s Word in the Gospel: Matthew 3:13–17
Sermon “Beloved”
Hymn “The Lone Wild Bird”
The lone, wild bird in lofty flight
is still with you, nor leaves your sight.
And I am yours! I rest in you,
Great Spirit, come, rest in me, too.
The ends of earth are in your hand,
the sea’s dark deep and far off land.
And I am yours! I rest in you,
Great Spirit, come, rest in me, too.
We Respond to God’s Presence
Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer (with debts) and Choral Amen
Sharing our Offerings
Offertory “Ave Verum” by Mozart (arr.by Sam Marks)
*The Thanksgiving “Doxology” (#780)
*Prayer of Dedication
*Closing Song “What a Fellowship” (#471)
*Benediction
*Postlude “Jericho”