January 10, 2021 Baptism of the Lord Sunday Preparing for worship If I had to guess, I would estimate that I have something of me. Each baptism required that I been baptized no less than 50 times in my life. get in the water. I had to remember to hold my Growing up as a pastor’s kid, playing baptism breath — that one was sometimes tricky. I had was one of the favorite pastimes in our house- to be ready for something, even if I wasn’t sure hold. My brother and I often baptized our what that something was. stuffed animals, or if they were very unlucky, Today, we recognize in worship the Baptism our live animals. Baby dolls and Barbies didn’t of the Lord Sunday. We recognize the step that escape my young baptismal zealotry. Most Jesus took to get into the water, to come nearer swimming pools flip-flopped between staging to us. Some of you might remember your own grounds for Marco Polo and baptism services of baptism. Some of you might be wondering what cousins and neighborhood kids. baptism might be like for you one day. Wherever Then, of course, there was the baptism where you are in your journey, baptism requires I stood in the baptistery of my beloved church getting into the water and being ready for as my father baptized me. There has been much something. Today, as you prepare for worship, light-hearted debate as to which one of these you might take a few deep cleansing breaths. baptisms “took,” which one really counted. I’ll Consider ways you can draw nearer to God, leave those debates at the dinner tables and the even outside the ritual of baptism. Ask yourself, bar stools. What strikes me is that each one of what are you ready for today? these baptisms, even the playful ones, required —Ashley Robinson 4316 Abrams Road ■ Dallas, Texas 75214 ■ 214-452-3100 ■ wilshirebc.org Partnered with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Building a Community of Faith Shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ On the cover: The Baptism of Christ, unknown artist, Russia, late 18th or early 19th century, icon painted in egg tempera on wood prepared with gesso and linen. Collection of the British Museum. 2 January 10, 2021 Baptism of the Lord Sunday Chiming of the Hour Prelude Deep River arr. Mark Hayes Shana Gaines, flute Opening Sentences Ashley Robinson Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor. O God in three persons, you have brought us into this new day, and we raise our song to thee. We come to worship you this hour, to hear your voice and to bless our neighbor. We worship the Lord in holy splendor who evermore shall be perfect in power and love, O blessed Trinity! Hymn 1 Holy, Holy, Holy nicaea Greeting to Worshipers George Mason Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures — Genesis 1:1–5 Leigh Curl 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. 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. This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 3 Dios, en el principio, creó los cielos y la tierra. La tierra era un caos total, las tinieblas cubrían el abismo, y el Espíritu de Dios se movía sobre la superficie de las aguas. Y dijo Dios: “¡Que exista la luz!” Y la luz llegó a existir. Dios consideró que la luz era buena y la separó de las tinieblas. A la luz la llamó “día,” y a las tinieblas, “noche.” Y vino la noche, y llegó la mañana: ese fue el primer día. Esta es la palabra del Señor. Gracias a Dios. Prayers of the People Darren DeMent Gospel Reading — Mark 1:1–11 Janice Jernberg The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 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. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He pro- claimed, “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. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 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. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Comienzo del evangelio de Jesucristo, el Hijo de Dios. Sucedió como está escrito en el profeta Isaías: “Yo estoy por enviar a mi mensajero delante de ti, el cual preparará tu camino.” “Voz de uno que grita en el desierto: “Preparen el camino del Señor, háganle sendas derechas” Así se presentó Juan, bautizando en el desierto y predicando el bautismo de arrepentimiento para el perdón de pecados. Toda la gente de la región de Judea y de la ciudad de Jerusalén acudía a él. Cuando confes- aban sus pecados, él los bautizaba en el río Jordán. La ropa de Juan estaba hecha de pelo de camello. Llevaba puesto un cinturón de cuero, y comía langostas y miel silvestre. Predicaba de esta mane- ra: “Después de mí viene uno más poderoso que yo; ni siquiera merezco agacharme para desatar la correa de sus sandalias. Yo los he bautizado a ustedes con agua, pero él los bautizará con el Espíri- tu Santo”. Bautismo y tentación de Jesús En esos días llegó Jesús desde Nazaret de Galilea y fue bautizado por Juan en el Jordán. En seguida, al subir del agua, Jesús vio que el cielo se abría y que el Espíritu bajaba sobre él como una paloma. También se oyó una voz del cielo que decía: “Tú eres mi Hijo amado; estoy muy complacido contigoc.” Esta es la palabra del Señor. Gracias a Dios. Children’s Moment Jenna Sullivan 4 Solo I Feel the Spirit Moving arr. Mark Hayes Karen Lewis, soprano Gimme that old time religion. Gimme that old time religion. Gimme that old time religion ’cause it’s good enough for me. It was good for my brothers and sisters. It was good for my brothers and sisters. It was good for my brothers and sisters, and it’s good enough for me. Gimme that old time religion. Gimme that old time religion. Gimme that old time religion ‘cause it’s good enough for me. Ev’ry time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart, I will pray. Ev’ry time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart, I will pray. Up on the mountain my Lord spoke. Out of His mouth came fire and smoke. Down in the valley on my knees, I ask my Lord, “Have mercy, please.” Ev’ry time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart, I will pray. Ev’ry time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart, I will pray. There ain’t but one train on this track. It runs to heaven and runs right back. Saint Peter waitin’ at the gate, says “Come on sinner, don’t be late.” Ev’ry time I feel the spirit in my heart movin’ me, movin’ me to pray. Every time I feel the spirit movin’ in my heart, I will pray. Message “Begin Again” Ashley Robinson Sharing of Decisions Ashley Robinson Benediction Ashley Robinson Affirmation of Faith Fairest Lord Jesus st. elizabeth Postlude Baptized in Water arr. Jeff Brummel 5 Meet today’s worship leaders Shana Gaines joined Wilshire in 2006. She Karen Lewis has been a Wilshire member twice, is married to Ron and they are the parents joining most recently in 2005 with her husband, of Abigail, who is in kindergarten. Shana is a Brad. She is a former choir director with a long member of Perennial Class, sings in Sanctuary tenure in Garland ISD and now freelances as a Choir and is the director of Wilshire Winds. music instructor and consultant. She teaches music at Spring Valley Elementary School, which Abigail also attends. Janice Jernberg and her husband, Bill, joined Wilshire in 1970. They are longtime teachers in first grade Sunday School. Both of their adult children went through Wilshire’s residency program — Brad as a music resident and Anne as a pastoral resident. Janice serves as joint chair of the History Committee. Staff contacts George A.