NOTE: Pg #s refer to BAS
We have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him. -Matthew 2:2
Processional Hymn: # 385 Worship the Lied in the Beauty of Holiness
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
bring and adore him: the Lord is his name.
Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness:
high on his heart he will bear it for thee,
comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,
guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.
Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness
of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine:
truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
these are the offerings to lay on his shrine.
These though we bring them
in trembling and fearfulness,
he will accept for the name that is dear;
mornings of joy give for evenings of tearfulness,
trust for our trembling and hope for our fear.
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
gold of obedience, and incense of lowliness,
bring and adore him: the Lord is his name.
Welcome & Acknowledgment of Land
Call to Worship:
Come, all who thirst for living water. Come, all who seek the Spirit’s touch.
We come, seeking God’s presence, longing for the water of life to cleanse and renew us.
Jesus comes, as the Beloved, anointed by the Spirit, inviting us into the waters of baptism and the depths of God's love.
We come, remembering our baptism, celebrating God’s call to be beloved children, empowered by the Spirit to live in love and justice.
The heavens are open, the Spirit descends, and God’s voice declares: “You are my beloved.”
We are here, ready to be shaped by God's love, ready to follow the way of Christ, and ready to be agents of God's peace in the world.
Let us worship God, who calls us, loves us, and empowers us to live in the Spirit. Amen (Seasons of the Spirit”)
(We prepare our hearts for worship in silence)
The Gathering of the Community (Service begins on p. 185)
Glory to God p. 186
Kyrie Eleison p. 186
Collect: Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit, keep your children, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to their calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
The Proclamation of the Word (Led by Jesse Scott)
First Reading: ISAIAH 43:1-7
PSALM 29 R: The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Second Reading: ACTS 8:14-17
Gospel Hymn: # 45 Down Galilee’s Slow Roadways (vs 1-2)
Down Galilee’s slow roadways
a stranger traveled on
from Nazareth to Jordan
to be baptized by John.
He went down to the waters
like soldier, scribe and slave,
but there within the river
the sign was birth and grave.
Arising from the river,
he saw the heaven’s torn;
It seemed the sky, was open,
to show the Spirit’s form.
The holy dove descended
he heard a glorious voice:
“You are my own beloved –
my child, my heart, my choice.”
The Gospel: LUKE 3:15-17, 21-22
Gospel Hymn: # 45 Down Galilee’s Slow Roadways (vs 3)
We too have found a roadway;
it led us to this place.
We all have had to travel
in search of hope and grace.
But now beside this water
again a voice is heard:
“You are my own, my chosen,
beloved of your Lord.”
Homily:
Affirmation of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed p. 189 (please stand as able)
Prayers of the People (Led by Kathleen Bell)
Confession and Absolution p. 191
The Peace p. 192
Offertory Hymn: # 162 Sing of God made Manifest
Prayer over the Gifts: God of life and freedom, we celebrate the revelation of Jesus as the Christ who makes all creation new. Accept all we offer you this day and make us new in him, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen
The Celebration of the Eucharist
The Great Thanksgiving (Eucharist prayer # 3) p. 198
The Lord’s Prayer (sung) p. 211
The Breaking of the Bread (prayer # 6) p. 213
Agnes Dei (sung) O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us… Grant us Thy peace.
The Communion (all are welcome to receive communion, or to come up to the altar for a blessing)
Communion Hymn: # 649 Breath on me Breath of God
Breathe on me, breath of God;
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love
and do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with thine
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity.
Prayer after Communion: Gracious God, lover of all, by this sacrament you make us one family in Christ your Son, one in the sharing of his body and blood, one in the communion of his Spirit. Help us to grow in love for one another and come to the full maturity of the Body of Christ. We ask this in his name. Amen
Doxology (Old 100th): Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise him all creatures here below! Praise him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen
The Blessing
Closing Hymn: MV 144 Like a Healing Stream
“Like a healing stream in a barren desert,
Spirit water bringing life to dusty earth,
God is trickling through our lives as in a dream unfolding,
Promising revival and rebirth…
Like a healing stream.
Like a gentle rain on a thirsty garden,
Spirit water come to nourish tiny seed,
God is bubbling through the soil to coax a new creation,
Yearning for an end to want and need…
Like a gentle rain.
Like a river strong with a restless current,
Spirit water rushing on to distant shore,
God is carving out a channel in a new direction,
Calling for an end to hate and war…
Like a river strong.
Like a mighty sea reaching far horizons, living-water-
Spirit water with a love both deep and wide,
God is working in our hearts to shape a new tomorrow;
God will always challenge and provide!
Like a mighty sea,
Like a river strong,
Like a gentle rain,
Like a healing stream.”
The Dismissal p. 215
