January 8, 2012 First Sunday after Epiphany Baptism of the Lord 10:45 a.m.

Please enter the sanctuary and prepare for worship in silence.

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. (Psalm 29:3)

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. (Mark 1:10)

On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord . When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them… (Acts 19:6-7)

GATHERING

Prelude

Please sign the attendance pad at the end of the pew and pass it down the row. Welcome

*Choral Introit “I Sing the Mighty Power of God” (hymn 58, v.2) ELLACOMBE

*Call to Worship: Hebrew Scripture, Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, The earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; And there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

*Hymn 62 “Praise the Lord! O Heavens, Adore Him” AUSTRIAN HYMN

Psalm of Praise, 29

Invocation You speak, O God, and the oceans tremble; the waters crest in waves that dash upon the shore. You speak and the heavens open; thunder signals the rains that freshen the earth. You breath and the leaves shudder; the trees of the forest bow to your majesty. You speak and the Spirit descends on your people; we ascribe to you all glory as we worship your name. Amen.

Choral Anthem “Creating God” (text-hymn 54) David Haas

Time with Children (Children through fifth grade are dismissed for classes)

WORD *Gospel Mark 1:4-11 (p.812) *Early Church Acts 19:1-7 (p.903) The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

*Hymn 276 “Spirit of the Living God” Iverson

Proclamation Down to Earth Peter Hawkinson

RESPONSE

Prayers of The Church and the Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Giving of Tithes and Offerings Offertory “ Lay yBounden” arr. by Sheldon Curry Adam Lay ybounden, bounden in a bond, forwe thowsand wynter thowt he not to long’ And al was for an appil, appil that he tok, ase clerkis fynden wryten in here bok. Allelu, alleluia, sing alleluia, alleluia! Ne hadde appil tak ben, appil take ben, Ne hadde neuer our ladde aben heuene quen And blyssid be the tyme that appil take was, Therefore we mown syngyn, “Deo gracias!” Allelu, Alleluia, Sing alleluia, alleluia! (See Offertory Note on back page)

*Response (514, verse 3) Come, Spirit, come, bountiful gifts given to saints to build and uplift, Free to be generous we give them away and pray that the world, through faith, might find your way. *Prayer of Dedication

GOING FORTH

*Hymn 669 “May God’s Love Be Fixed Above You” PRAISE MY SOUL

*Charge

*Benediction (turning to face one another as we sing) Go in peace and the peace of God, be with you this day. Go in peace and the peace of God, be with you alway. Celebrate and share the joy! Celebrate New Life! Go in peace and the peace of God be with you alway.

*Tolling *Postlude

*Please stand as you are able.

WINNETKA COVENANT CHURCH January 8, 2012

TODAY IN OUR CHURCH If you are visiting today, welcome! Please join us in the narthex immediately following worship for fellowship and conversation. 10:45 a.m. Worship. 4:30 p.m. Trustee Board meeting 6-8:00 p.m. Stephen Ministry Continuing Education 6:00 p.m. Confirmation 7:00 p.m. High League

MONDAY—JANUARY 9 3:30 p.m. Junior High Merge

TUESDAY—JANUARY 10 9:45 a.m. Playgroup will meet at church. Contact: Kira Johnson ([email protected]). 9:30 a.m. Womens Study (see Notices) 6:45 p.m. Christian Formation Board meeting 7:00 p.m. Outreach Committee meeting 7:00 p.m. Mens Basketball 7:30 p.m. Mission Committee meeting

WEDNESDAY—JANUARY 11 10:00 a.m. Staff meeting 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner: split pea soup. Cost: $3.50/adult; $2.50/child or $10/family. All are welcome. 6:10 p.m. Upper Room Gathering—singing, skits and Scripture for all ages. 6:45 p.m. Programs for all ages, ending at 7:45 p.m. Explorers (ages 2-3); Voyagers (ages 4- Kindergarten); Pathfinders (grades 1-2); Trailblazers (grades 3-5); Junior High (grades 6- 8) 6:45 p.m. Adult Text Study in the library 6:45 p.m. Book Group (see Notices) 6:45 p.m. Adult Choir

THURSDAY—JANUARY 12 8:30 a.m. Leisure Class Breakfast at The Bistro (Covenant Village, Northbrook). All are welcome. Contact: Sam Paravonian, (847 272-8644). 12:30 p.m. Quilters, Knitters, Etc. will meet at the home of Gladys Johnson. Bring your own sandwich. Please RVSP, 847 559-0339. 1:00 p.m. Womens Bible Study, beginning an 8-week study by Beth Moore, “James: Mercy Triumphs”. Contact: Claire Macfarland ([email protected]). All are welcome.

SATURDAY—JANUARY 14 8:00 a.m. Men’s Fellowship 3:00 p.m. Volleyball with the Chinese students in fellowship hall. All are welcome. Contact: Pauline Wang, 847 256-2602

SUNDAY—JANUARY 15 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:45 a.m. Sunday School for all ages. For adults there are two options: 1) C.S. Lewis Class, led by Walter Gast and Karen Larsen, and 2) Intergenerational Class, a time of experiential learning, storytelling, relationship-building and intergenerational fun in Room 203 for high school students and adults of any age. 10:45 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Confirmation 7:00 p.m. High League ADVANCE CALENDAR

Wednesday, January 18, 6:45 p.m. Parent Gathering—CHIC informational meeting Friday, January 20, 7:30 p.m. Parent Journey at the home of Peter and Melissa Nelson January 20-22. Junior High Deep Freeze Retreat at Covenant Harbor Sunday, January 22, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Open House at the Friendship Center. More details to come. January 29-February 5. Family Promise at WCC Wednesday, February 8, evening. WCC Annual meeting

NOTICES

With joy we announce the birth of Cecelia Abigail Falconer, born Monday, January 2 to Ben and Kim Falconer in East Lansing, Michigan. Cecelia weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 21 inches in length at birth. The grateful grandparents are Tom and Judy Ebright.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy Klein and family on the death of Robert Klein on Sunday, January 1. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 21, 10:00 a.m. at St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church (9th & Linden, Wilmette).

Larger print copies of the hymns of the morning are available on the table in the back of the church near the sound booth. Children’s bulletins are also available in the narthex. Please help yourself as needed.

Journey With Jonah, Journey With God: Wrestling With the God Who Calls, to be held Wednesday evenings, 6:45 p.m. in the Church library January 4-February 8. Peter Hawkinson, facilitator. We will gather in winter’s darkness to read the short story of Jonah’s journey with God, and reflect on the journeys that we are on. We will explore the grand themes of biblical revelation and Christian faith: God’s Call, Grace, Faithfulness, and Mercy. We will also reflect on the ways these things are challenging for us, as we seek to respond to the God who comes to us. In the season of Epiphany Light, come and read this fascinating Jonah story with us. Come with your questions, your stories, and join the conversation. We will grow together and learn from one another. Childcare is available. If desired, please contact Peter.

Tuesday Women’s Bible Class will begin its spring study of 2 Corinthians on January 10. Newcomers are welcome! Please call Sue Abram (847 295-5525) with questions.

If you would like to provide chancel flowers for a Sunday morning, there is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board across from the church office. Flowers can be in honor of or in memory of someone if you wish. Questions, contact the church office.

WCC Website Feature Spotlight: You love participating in WCC Wednesday Night activities! Not having to cook makes Wednesdays even better. If you are wondering what’s for dinner—check out the Wednesday Night dinner menu at www.winnetkacovenant.org! Click on the “Gathering Time” tab and then the “Wednesday Nights” tab to see the full line-up of activities AND the dinner menu! This coming week’s dinner is going to be very special—go to the web site and find out about it!

There is potatis korv in the freezer from Lucia that is available for sale. Payment (checks made out to Winnetka Covenant Women) can be left in the church office.

We collect food items on an ongoing basis for the North Park Friendship Center. Items can be left in the basket in the narthex—your donations are greatly appreciated. We have also begun a winter clothing drive for refugee families served by World Relief. There will be a box in the narthex throughout the winter for this collection.

Texts for next week: .1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20); Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51 A MINUTE FOR STEWARDSHIP… Have you turned in your pledge card yet?

Many of you have! Thank you. If you have not, it is not too late. Pledging is an important step in our planning to give to the church. It is also helpful in the church’s planning for the 2012 budgeting process. Pledging is a fulfilling exercise for us active participants of WCC. It allows us to show our faithfulness to God and our church. Give it a try!

Pledge cards can be picked up in the church office. If you have any questions about how pledging works, please contact Peter A. Nelson or Roger Schmitt.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER Those in need Jay Anderson Jill Anderson (cousin of Mary Nilsen) Tammy Anderson and family (niece of John Couleur) Sandra Bishnoi (friend of Polly McClellan) Elmer Carlson Nancy Carroll Pat Condon (mother of Clare Engling) Mike Coots (friend of Paul Christmas) Marilyn Drotts Forrest Erickson Char Erland Family of Hank Fischer JoAnna Haak (daughter of Cleo Constantin) Alyce Hawkinson Darrel Hoglund (father of Dan Hoglund) Connie Jackson (sister of Marti Crow) Family of Robert Klein Rick Knebel (brother of Judi Geake) Dan Livingston (friend of Carla and Marty Spellman) Michael and Annabell (premature twins/friends of Ingrid Papanek) Stacy and Johnny Peterson (friends of Greta Bailey) Jonathan Schwartz (brother of Mike Schwartz) Susan Valdiserri Rebecca Young Kathleen Hanson Zavatsky (sister of Cindy Buettgen, John Hanson and Pamela Hanson) Stephen Ministers and those for whom they care Those serving in Afghanistan: William Tomlin (son-in-law of Larry and Bonnie Hollenbeck) Roger Vanoer Those we support who are serving on the mission field: Kara Bladel (Alaska) Christine Buettgen (Democratic Republic of Congo) Don and Lillian Dwight (Taiwan) Brittany Girle (Juarez, Mexico) Pamela Hanson (Honduras, on home assignment) Julio and Katie Isaza (Colombia) Peter and Anna Kim (China) Jamie and Erica Rose (Alaska) Gary and Mary Lou Sander (Colombia) Aaron Thompson (Church Planting in Sweden) James and Rachel Ventress (Alaska) Ben Wickstrom (Oaxaca, Mexico)

Welcome! We pray that you will experience anew the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ as we worship together.

Our thanks to Ingrid and Olav Eiesland, sanctuary greeters; Bob Braun, Lena Ecklund, Norm Johnson, Dave Moreno, Rick Schultz, ushers; Paul Christmas, Scripture Reader, Bill and Terese Hunt, Sam Madvig and Sam Rivi, coffee hosts; Marilynn Nelson, bulletin cover design; Jennifer Stucki (oboe); Joel Stucki (drum); Chris Lyngso (accordion); Linda Johnson (tambourine); Joshua Smith (organ) and Nancy Magill (piano).

*Offertory Note. Adam lay ybounden is a 15th century English text. The song relates the events of Genesis, Chapter 3. In medieval theology, Adam was supposed to have remained in bonds with the other patriarchs in the lumbus patrum from the time of his death until the crucifixion of Christ (the “4000 winters”). The second verse narrates the following Adam’s temptation by and the serpent. John Speirs suggests that there is a tone of astonishment, almost incredulity in the phrase “and all was for an ”, noting “an apple, such as a boy might steal from an orchard, seems such a little thing to produce such overwhelming consequences. Yet so it must be because the clerks say so. It is in their book. The third verse suggests the subsequent redemption of man by the birth of Jesus Christ by Mary, who was to become the Queen of Heaven as a result.

WINNETKA COVENANT CHURCH 1200 Hibbard Road Wilmette, Illinois 60091 Church Office: (847) 446-4300 Message Line: (847) 501-4158 www.winnetkacovenant.org

Ministers to the World The Congregation

Ministers to the Congregation Peter Hawkinson, Pastor Andrea Johnson, Pastor of Discipleship and Outreach Jed Bassett, Director of Youth Programs Tyler Krumland, Interim Youth Pastor Rebekah Strobel, Interim Youth Pastor Arthur Nelson, Parish Associate Dawn Pegis, Director of Music Dominic German, Music Intern

Our mission is to be a Christian community and to proclaim the gospel, worshiping together in love, nurturing people in the faith, serving others as Christian disciples, and building a world of justice and hope in the name of Christ.

At Winnetka Covenant Church:

We hold grace as our highest value. We practice honest, open, direct communication. We speak the truth in love and listen in love. We believe the best about each other, valuing others above ourselves, as Christ does. We allow room for mistakes, acknowledging that mistakes are part of the growth process.