THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
JANUARY 10, 2021 | 10:00 AM
WELCOME TO ONLINE WORSHIP AT FIRST CHURCH!
Welcome to all who gather to worship online today! We hope you feel the warmth of God’s presence and welcome right where you’re at. If this if your first time joining us online, we are honored by your presence and hope to see you again soon! To stay informed, please subscribe to our weekly email.
ABOUT US
First, we’re not just friendly, we’re friends! Our primary belief is that everyone (no exceptions!) is created in the loving image of God, who is love itself.
Second, in everything we do, we strive to live our mission: By the power of Christ, we are blessed to be a blessing!
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP
(the people’s words in bold print)
PRELUDE + CHIMING OF THE HOUR
“Prelude on 'Waterlife'”
(arr. William B. Fuhrer)
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 29)
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Worship the Lord in holy splendor!
The voice of the Lord is powerful, and full of majesty!
May the Lord give strength to us all
and bless all peoples with peace!
OPENING HYMN
“Shall We Gather at the River”
(HANSON PLACE)
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Eternal God, our judge and redeemer, you delivered us through water, but we long to return to Egypt. Your Word calms the storm, but we timidly cower in fear. Your justice would flow down like rivers, but we obstruct its flow. You bid us bathe and be healed, but we limp and struggle in pain. Have mercy on us, and cleanse us, Lord God. Deliver us and grace us with joy, that we may die daily to sin and rise daily to new life in Jesus’ resurrection. Grant us the gift of your grace that we might always give glory to your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
God is faithful to the covenant made with us in our baptism, that through water and the Spirit we are granted new life in the baptized and risen Lord. Let us remember our baptism, for in Jesus Christ we are forgiven! Amen!
JOYFUL RESPONSE
“We are Forgiven”
(TEXT: Trad. liturgical text; MUSIC: Hal H. Hopson)
We are forgiven.
We are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
Thanks be to God.
(repeat)
WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S WORD
SCRIPTURE READING - THE GOSPEL
Mark 1:4-11
(Read together)
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
MESSAGE
"Take Me to the Water!"
Rev. Lisa Martin, Pastor
MUSICAL MEDITATION
AND BAPTISMAL REMEMBRANCE
“Down to the River to Pray”
(MUSIC: African American Spiritual, arr. James Koerts)
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
WE DEPART TO SERVE
CLOSING HYMN
“Take Me to the Water”
(TAKE ME TO THE WATER)
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE
“Wade in the Water”
(MUSIC: African American spiritual, arr. B. Thoreson)
GOD’S TITHES + OUR OFFERINGS
If you wish to contribute to the work of First Church, you may give online using the button below, or mail your gift to
First Presbyterian Church
810 Georgia Avenue
Lynn Haven, FL 32444.