ORDER OF WORSHIP
JANUARY 12, 2025 10:30 AM
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Mary Lee Farris, Organ
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP (Adapted from Psalm 29)
Leader: Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
PEOPLE: Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.
Leader: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
PEOPLE: The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
Leader: The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
PEOPLE: The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
Leader: May the LORD give strength to his people!
PEOPLE: May the LORD bless his people with peace!
INVOCATION
Gracious God, we stand in awe of your magnificent power displayed through the entire universe,
for through you all things were made, and all things have their being. Lord, may we know the
presence of the Holy Spirit here with us today. May we be open to your speaking and alert to your
calling. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Open My Eyes, That I May See” Red #557
CALL TO CONFESSION
We continue to stumble through the darkness of our transgressions. Let us come together as we
seek a greater understanding of our Lord and Creation.
PRAYER OF UNDERSTANDING
Gracious Creator, your light is always there before us, even as we look up to its inspiring flame, just as we look each day to a new sun. Grant us the peace to know our shortcomings even as you forgive them. And may we continue to look to the light of your perfect love, even as we know you will deliver us brighter days to come, as each day grows longer even in tiny minutes. Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Friends in faith, believe in the grace of Scripture and the love of God, through the light of wisdom and by whose infinite presence our sins are forgiven, Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI (Avery & Marsh, back cover of the Red Hymnal)
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
**AFFIRMATION OF FAITH -- APOSTLES CREED (Traditional)
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 Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The Holy catholic Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body, And the Life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Red # 295
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
God, source of all light, by your Word you give light to the soul. Pour out on us the spirit of wisdom
and understanding that our hearts and minds may be opened. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 43: 1-7 John Safran
NEW TESTAMENT READING Acts 8: 14-17
GOSPEL READING: Luke 3: 15-22
SERMON MESSAGE: Passing Through the Waters John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND LORDS PRAYER
And Lord we pray for those in our own hearts whose names you already know, for their own healing and comfort, in your name and that of our redeemer Jesus Christ, who taught to pray, saying:
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.
TITHES and OFFERINGS:
It is right to share our abundance with those who have less or need more. May what we offer here help to be the answer of the prayers of others in the name of Jesus, Amen.
OFFERTORY “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional
** PRAYER OF THANKS
Gracious God, accept our gifts that they may be used wisely in your service for those who hunger, or thirst, or merely seek a greater understanding of your love. This we gratefully pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
HYMN OF PARTING “Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing” Red #834
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Go, My Children with My Blessing” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Candles in Our Worship Service A bit of History: The seven-light candelabra are symbolic of the seven days of the week, meaning we ‘worship’ God every day, not just on Sunday. The two altar candles symbolize that Jesus is both God and Man, and the Christ candle is symbolic of Christ being the Light of the World.
The Christ candle is lit first and extinguished last. The ushers leave its light with the other candles during worship, and when extinguished after worship, the ushers carry the light out into the world.
The reason the Christ candle is larger and placed by the pulpit, is that in the past, it also provided light for reading!
Blessings! JTR
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John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954
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