ORDER OF WORSHIP
JANUARY 7, 2024 10:30 AM
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
If you have individual prayer requests, please write them on prayer cards in the pews and bring them up or give them to an usher during the prelude.
**Kindly stand if you are able
PRELUDE Organ 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 over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the
LORD, over mighty waters.
PEOPLE: The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of
majesty.
Leader: The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king
forever.
PEOPLE: May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his
people with peace!
INVOCATION
God of deliverance, our arms are uplifted to your honor and our eyes are opened to behold your blessings. You are merciful in providing us this haven of faith; you are caring and know our needs. Send forth your spirit, and touch all who worship before you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
**OPENING HYMN “Brightest and Best of the Stars” Red #182
CALL TO CONFESSION
We try and try, and we somehow never try hard enough to fulfill God’s expectations and
or sometimes even our own. Let us confess our shortcomings together.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of loving kindness, we confess that we are not always attentive to your word or your will. Forgive us our hardness of hearing and heart; open our ears and our souls to your bidding. Help us to realize in our depths that all goodness we possess comes from you, and from the example of Christ. In his name we pray, Amen.
(a moment for silent personal confession)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
Sisters and Brothers, we struggle and wrestle with our own shortcomings, but in coming to our God they are forgiven by the grace of Jesus, Amen.
**GLORIA PATRI Red #805
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH - APOSTLES CREED (Adapted by John Redman)
I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was born of a young peasant woman, trained as a carpenter, and baptized by His cousin John. He taught many, He healed many, and He angered many. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He defeated death and He offers us grace and love in the name of God the Father Almighty; from that time through all time to come. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit; the universal Church of Christ; the Communion of sharing our gifts with others; the forgiveness of our sins; the Grace of God’s love, and that each soul may have life everlasting. Amen.
**HYMN OF PRAISE “Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies” Red #562
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in
your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 1: 1-5 Theresa Cotanche
FIRST GOSPEL READING Matthew 2: 1-12
SECOND GOSPEL READING Mark 1: 4-11
SERMON MESSAGE “It’s an EPIPHANY!” John Redman, CRE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Gracious God, keep in our hearts all those whose names you already know and who ask for healing in their own quiet ways, as we join together in our most sacred of sacraments, your Holy Communion.
COMMUNION HYMN “We Come as Guests Invited” Red #784
HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation to the Table
Communion Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
Prayer after Communion
**PASSING OF THE PEACE
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
OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
May what we offer here be of our own hearts and dedicated to the service of our faith and our mission to others as they become the blessings and hope that others need and pray for in their own lives. This we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
OFFERTORY “Thanks to God Whose Word Was Spoken”
**DOXOLOGY Traditional Red #809
PRAYER OF THANKS
Lord God, we thank you for these gifts. As we follow in faith, may we find ways to honor you by giving of our treasure, our time and our talents to glorify you and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
**CLOSING HYMN “Lord, We Worship and Adore You” Red #832
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE: “Jesus Came, the Heavens Adoring” Mary Lee Farris, Piano
Blessings!
John Redman, CRE
Mobile: (914) 474-0722
Union Church
44 Balmville Rd, Newburgh NY 12550
Phone: (845) 562-0954 Fax: (845) 562-0955
Comments