Downingtown United Methodist Church January 10, 2021 Baptism of the Lord PRELUDE “An Epiphany Prelude” Callahan Jeff Shaull, organist Worship Leader: Kathy Stocker Scripture Reader: Mary Louise Corrigan GREETING L: God of the waters. Water of birth, P: moving us from safety into the world. L: God of the waters. Water of connection, P: engaging the playful Spirit, the passionate Christ, the challenging God. L: God of the waters. Water of life, P: sustaining, quenching, cleansing. L: God of the waters. Water of trouble, P: journeying us from here to there, from the known to the unknown. L: God of the waters. P: Birth us. Connect us. Live in us. Trouble us. PRAYER all praying Gracious and all loving God, you call to us across deep waters and dark places. Yours is the light which guides us and the voice which we follow. We pray that you would reveal yourself to us as we worship you. May those without hope be encouraged; those who are sad, cheered; those who are seeking, find you; and may all things be according to your will. In the name of your beloved Son we pray. Amen. CHOIR “Morning Has Broken” PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION all praying We cry in the wilderness. The land we walk is rugged and rough. We find no straight highways. Only deep valleys and high mountains. Jesus, a light for us and for all nations, grasp us by the hand. Open the eyes of the blind, bring prisoners out from their cells, from the darkness those whose eyes are blinded. Come to us with your power and might. Come and comfort your people. Like a shepherd, gather us as lambs in your arms. Amen. SCRIPTURE READING - Genesis 1: 1-5 1 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 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. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. L: The Word of God For the People of God. P: Thanks Be To God. SCRIPTURE READING - Mark 1: 4-11 4 John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 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. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” L: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. P: Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ. CHOIR “Shall We Gather at the River” SERMON “Water Washed, Spirit Born” Pastor Tom BLESSING OVER GOD'S GIFT OF WATER We thank you, God, for the gift of creation called forth by your saving Word. Before the world had shape and form, your Spirit moved over the waters. Out of the waters of the deep, you formed the firmament and brought forth the earth to sustain all life. In the time of Noah you washed the earth with the waters of the flood, and your ark of salvation bore a new beginning. In the time of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, your people Israel passed through the Red Sea waters from slavery to freedom and crossed the flowing Jordan to enter the promised land. In the fullness of time you sent Jesus Christ who was nurtured in the water of Mary’s womb. Jesus was baptized by John in the water of the Jordan, became living water to a woman at the Samaritan well, washed the feet of the disciples, and sent them forth to baptize all nations by water and the Holy Spirit. REMEMBERING OUR BAPTISM PASTORAL PRAYER THE LORD’S PRAYER all praying 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. Amen. OFFERING OUR GIFTS OFFERTORY “He Comes to Us as One Unknown (Repton)” Powell PRAYER OF COMMITMENT God of many names We give ourselves into the hand of your continuing creativity; Our past, with its joys and triumphs, its failures and regrets, Our present, with its struggles and accomplishments, its hopes and setbacks, Our future, with its fears and freedom, its pain and possibility, trusting the Spirit that breathes life, trusting the love that will not let us go, trusting the promise of the Word made flesh. BENEDICTION POSTLUDE Postlude on “Winchester New” Wm. Lloyd Webber William Lloyd Webber was an English organist and composer. He taught at the Royal College of Music, directed the choir of Methodist Central Hall, Westminster and was Director of the London College of Music. He was the father of virtuoso cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. ================================================================================= PRAYER CONCERNS At Home: Robin Startzell Bryce Dworsak – son of Matt & Monica Dworsak receiving treatments at CHOP every 2 weeks Hospital and Care Facilities: Lorraine Lillard Tel Hai Lakeview Beyond Our Congregation: Betty Cogini (Mother of Debbie Murray’s friend who is battling COVID and infections Susan Startzell – Mother in law of Robin Startzell Pattie – Friend of Carol Forbes – sustained a serious injury from a fall Bill Reiter – Sue Taylor’s son-in-law Pat O’Neill – Friend of Nancy Colbert’s Katie Thomas & Courtney Layman – Sue Taylor’s granddaughter .