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 Jesus. 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 “Adam 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 Bible 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.