Sunday

LITURGY & ORDER OF WORSHIP

Sunday, September 17, 2023 Worship Service

PRELUDE

WELCOME

PRAYER OF THE DAY

O God, light of the hearts that know you, life of the souls that love you, strength of the thoughts that seek you, encourage us and inspire us to turn to you in all things. May we abide in your love and grace all of our days. You call us Beloved Child, each and every one of us. Help us remember that for ourselves and for everyone we meet. We give thanks for your great and gracious love and your radical hospitality. In the name of Christ, our Friend and Brother we pray, Amen.

HYMN

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

O Lord our God, you call us to work for a world where all will be fed and have dignity, but we find ourselves distracted by our own desires. You call us to seek justice and peace, but we are satisfied with injustice and discord. You call us to bring liberty to the oppressed, but we do not insist on freedom for all. You call each of us beloved, but we are quick to label someone “other” or “enemy”. Forgive us, Holy God. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, remind us of who we are and whose we are, and turn us to your holy will, so that all may know your justice and peace. Humbly we pray, Amen.

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS & SHARING OF GOD'S PEACE

INVITATION TO OFFERING

ANTHEM

DEDICATION

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE

And Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me,

All: And do not stop them!"

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Mark 1: 4-11

4 And so John the Baptizer appeared in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to John and were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6 John was clothed in camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist, and he ate nothing but grasshoppers and wild honey. 7 In the course of his preaching, John said, “One more powerful than I is to come after me. I am not fit to stoop and untie his sandal straps. 8 I have baptized you in water, but the One to come will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” 9 It was then that Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan River by John. 10 Immediately upon coming out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from the heavens: “You are my Beloved, my Own. On you my favor rests.”

This is the Word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

SERMON

MOMENT FOR SILENT REFLECTION

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

PRESENTATION

PROFESSION OF FAITH

CONGREGATIONAL QUESTIONS

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again, he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE WATER AND ACT OF BAPTISM

HYMN OF RESPONSE 649 - Amazing Grace

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE, concluding with the Lord's Prayer

HYMN

CHARGE & BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE

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Portions of this morning’s liturgy are inspired by Feasting on the Word Worship Companion for Year A.

LITURGY & ORDER OF WORSHIP

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