January 12, 2025 11 A.M.
Welcome!
Introduction
Today’s festival rejoices in God’s blessings. We recall and celebrate our adoption as God’s children, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised company of almighty God when we “pass through the waters . . . the rivers . . . fire.” On this day the heavens open again for this assembly, and we receive the gift of God’s Beloved, Jesus, in bread and wine.
(please stand for our opening song)
We Sing: “Shall We Gather at the River”
| Shall we gather at the river, Where bright angel feet have trod; With its crystal tide forever Flowing by the throne of God? (refrain) | On the margin of the river, Washing up its silver spray, We will walk and worship ever, All the happy golden day. (refrain) |
| Yes, we’ll gather at the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river; Gather with the saints at the river That flows by the throne of God. | |
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, our creator, our protector, our wellspring of life.
C: Amen.
P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, our creator, our protector, our wellspring of life.
C: Amen.
P: Trusting that God receives our words and the meditations of our hearts, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
P: Merciful God,
C: you speak blessing and compassion into the world. Forgive us for the ways we act with judgment, cruelty, or indifference. We ignore the needs of our neighbors; we resist your call to oppose injustice; we give in to scarcity and fear; we assume the worst about one another. Cleanse us from our faults and release us from their grasp. Show us your lovingkindness. Restore our hearts and repair your world, that we may live in Christ’s ways. Amen.
P: God proclaims these words of assurance: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name. You are mine.” In ☩ Christ, you are forgiven. In the Spirit, you are made free. Refreshed by the waters of mercy, live anew as beloved children of God.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
(Please be seated for the readings)
First Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7
R: 1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. 4 Because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; 6 I will say to the north, “Give them up,” and to the south, “Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth— 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
…This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Psalmody: Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6 the Lord makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord bursts forth in lightning flashes.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare. And in the temple of the Lord all are crying, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forevermore.
11 O Lord, give strength to your people; give them, O Lord, the blessings of peace.
Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17
R: 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
…This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
C: <sung>
🎵 Sing: 🎶
This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine
This Little Light of Mine, I’m gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
D: 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.”
…This is the Gospel of the Lord
C: Praise to you, oh Christ
Wee Worship
We Sing: “Baptized in Water” #693 WOV
| Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Christ our King: heirs of salvation, trusting his promise, faithfully now God’s praise we sing. | Baptized in water, sealed by the Spirit, marked with the sign of Christ our King: born of the Spirit, we are God’s children; joyfully now God’s praise we sing. |
Sermon(Rev Carrie Wolfe)
(please stand for the Apostles’ Creed)
Apostles’ Creed
C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
(please be seated)
Prayers of Intercession
With the Spirit of Christ shining upon us, let us boldly pray for the church, the world, and all of creation.
A brief silence.
You call us by name and form us. We give thanks for the gift of baptism. Nurture the baptized and equip people sent to proclaim the good news, especially Young Adults in Global Mission and international congregations. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Your voice sounds over the waters. Speak words of healing over the rivers and lakes, seas and oceans. Heeding your voice, lead us to care for water, and the land and creatures it nourishes. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You give strength to your people. Uphold all who serve the common good. Guide federal and state legislators, city and county officials, judges and juries. Strengthen our resolve to serve all in need. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You are with us in challenging times. Draw near to all who are ill, undergoing treatment, or recovering from surgery (especially). Accompany individuals and families affected by addiction or mental health challenges. Uphold each person as your beloved. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You draw us into community. Embolden ministries of racial reconciliation, nurture work on behalf of immigrants and refugees, and equip each to use their gifts for the sake of neighbors near and far. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
You grant us peace. Comfort all who grieve. Dwell with us in this life and, at the last, join us with the saints whom you have created, formed, and named. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We entrust our prayers to you, O God, in the sure and certain hope that your promise is revealed among the people.
Amen.
(stand)
The Sharing of the Peace:
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
P: We Greet one another with the Peace of Christ
We Sing: “Baptized and Set Free” W&P 14
| We are people created, chosen by God. Then we’re washed, ever gently, in mercy and love. Sin has power no more. Jesus opened the door to a fountain bringing healing, and wholeness and more. | Now with praise and thanksgiving, we join the song. All are welcome! We gather to sing loud and strong. Not enslaved, but set free! From now on, all will be one in Jesus, one in water, baptized and set free! |
Communion
P: God of grace, your love reaches to the heavens, and your abundance to the depths of the seas. Bless what we offer to your service: our gifts, our abilities, and our hearts. Let us overflow with gratitude and generosity, now and always.
C: Amen.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Rejoice before your Lord.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. By the leading of a star he was shown forth to all nations; in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son; and in the miracle of water turned to wine he revealed your glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
P: Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
P: For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
C: Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.
P: We pray for the gift of your Spirit: in our gathering; within this meal;
among your people; throughout the world. Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus, by your Spirit, in your church, without end.
C: Amen.
P: We pray as Jesus taught us:
C: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
P: The joy of the Lord is our strength. Come, eat this meal of gladness.
(sit)
PowerPoint Video & Distribution
Prayer after Communion
Nourishing God, at this table you have refreshed us with holy gifts of food and drink. Strengthen us for service, and send us out to embody your good news of liberation and healing for the sake of the world. In the name of Christ we pray,
Amen.
Blessing
The Spirit of the triune God ☩ bless you with joy, anoint you with compassion, and send you in love.
Amen.
Announcements
Birthdays
January 13 – Shannon Barie
14 – Christen Fries
18 – Nancy Schultz
Weekly Calendar
Wednesday – 10 am – Stitching
10am – Bible Study at Immanuel
2:45 – Sonshine
6 pm – Prayer Group
Thursday – 9 am – Quilting
We Sing: “Every Time I Feel the Spirit”
Every time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart I will pray
Every time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart I will pray
The Jordan river is chilly and cold. It chills the body but not the soul.
There ain’t but one train upon this track. It runs to heaven and then right back.
Every time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart I will pray
Every time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart I will pray
Dismissal
P: Go in peace. Live in hope.
C: Thanks be to God.
