(Image: Baptism of Jesus  Bazile, Castera 1950)

©Order of Worship January 09, 2022

First Sunday After The Epiphany
The Baptism of the Lord
Holy Communion

For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)

The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am.
Text for hymns are found below each hymn.  Click on the hymn highlighted text for music.

Prelude: “Wade in the Water”,
African American spiritual (John 5:2-9)…………Greg D.
 
Greetings…………………………………Pastor Steven
 
Opening Prayer: ……………………… Elizabeth B.
 
All Pray Together:
God, your voice moves over the waters.
Immerse us in your grace,
mark us with your images,
and raise us to live our baptismal vows
empowered by the Holy Spirit
and the example of Christ our Lord,
in whose name we pray. Amen.
 
Opening Hymns:
“Down to the River to Pray” #3164 W&S
Words and Music: Southern USA folk song
Transcription ©2011 Jackson Henry
 
1.As I went down to the river to pray,
studyin’ about that good ole way
and who shall wear the starry crown,
good Lord, show me the way.
 
O ∗sisters, let’s go down, let’s go down,
come on down. Come on, sisters,
let’s go down, down to the river to pray.
 
∗2.brothers
 3.fathers
 4.mothers
 5.sinners
 
“Take Me to the Water” #3165 W&S
Words and Music: African American spiritual
 
1.Take me to the water. Take me to the water.
Take me to the water to be baptised.
 
2.None but the righteous, none but the righteous,
none but the righteous shall see God.
 
3.I love Jesus, I love Jesus,
I love Jesus, yes, I do.
 
4.He’s my Savior. He’s my Savior.
He’s my Savior, yes, he is.
 
Giving of our tithes and offerings …………Elizabeth B.
You can do this with no fee through your bank’s online bill pay option. It is easy to set up for automatic monthly giving. Or, you can use this link: Online Giving
 
Offertory Response:  “The Doxology” #95 UMH
Words: Thomas Ken, 1674 Music: Attr. to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
 
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him,
all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly
       host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.
 
Prayer after receiving……………………Pastor Steven
 
Hymn of Preparation:
“Water, River, Spirit, Grace”  #2253 TFWS
Words: Thomas H. Troeger Music: O.I. Cricket Harrison
Words: © 1987, 1991 Oxford University Press, Inc.
Music: © 1995 Chalice Press
 
Water, River, Spirit, Grace, sweep over me,
sweep over me! Recarve the depths your
fingers traced in sculpting me
in sculpting me.
 
Water, River, Spirit, Grace, sweep over me,
sweep over me! Recarve the depths your
fingers traced in sculpting me
in sculpting me.
 
The Gospel Lesson: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22……Elizabeth B.
 
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,
 
16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
 
17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
 
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened,
 
22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
 
Sermon: ……”Walking in His Light”……Pastor Steven
 
Prayers of the People………………………Pastor Steven
 
Holy Communion:…………………………Pastor Steven
All Liturgies and Prayers are located at the end of this Order of Worship.
 
Closing Hymn:
“Oh, I Know the Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me”
#2139 TFWS
Words: African American  spiritual
Music: African American spiritual
 
Refrain
Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me.
Oh, I know the Lord, I know the Lord,
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me.
 
1.Did ever you see the like before?
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me;
King Jesus preaching to the poor!
I know the Lord’s laid his hand on me.
Refrain
 
2.Oh, wasn’t that a happy day
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me;
when Jesus washed my sins away!
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me.
Refrain
 
3.Some seek the Lord and don’t seek him right;
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me;
they fool all day and pray at night,
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me.
Refrain
 
4.My Lord’s done just what he said;
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me;
he’s healed the sick and raised the dead;
I know the Lord’s laid his hands on me.
Refrain
 
Dismissal with Blessing …….…………Pastor Steven
 
Postlude: “As He Gathered at His TAble”, Music: Attr. Wolfgang A. Mozart, in Leavitt’s The Christian Lyre……Greg D.
 
 
 
 
CONFESSION & PARDON
Pastor Steven: Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love, we have not loved our neighbors, and we have not heard the cry of the needy. Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All pray in silence.

Pastor Steven: Hear the good news:
Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; that proves God’s love toward us. In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
All:  Glory to God. Amen.

THE PEACE
Let us offer one another signs of reconciliation and love.
All, including the pastor, exchange signs and words of God’s peace by crossing hands, wave to one another due to social distancing guidelines.

Pastor Steven: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
Pastor Steven: Lift up your hearts. The pastor may lift hands and keep them raised.
All: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor Steven: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Pastor Steven: And so, with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their unending 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 Steven: In union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith.
All: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Pastor Steven: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
All: Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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