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Baptism Of Our Lord

Worship
Genesis 1:1-5
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B
James R. Wilson
Lectionary Worship Aids
Cycle B, Series IV
First Lesson: Genesis 1:1-5
Theme: Meeting the God of Eternity

Call To Worship
Leader: Trust in the Lord your God who is now and who has always been!
People: For we are limited and our lives span only a moment in eternity.
Leader: But God was before the Creation and will be forever!
People: Our faith is well placed when we rest upon the word of the Lord.
Leader: Then let us give praise that God has reached through time to call us!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

O God, You were before the winds blew or the sun shone, and You will be when the days of time run out, yet You delight in reaching out to each one who would hear Your voice. We praise You, Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

Lord, so often as we live life day by day we let our focus drop to only the time at hand and we forget that all of eternity awaits us if we will but place our faith and trust in Your leadership for our lives. Too often we would even compromise what we know to be Your will for the comforts of the moment. Forgive us, Lord, and lead us to keep our focus upon You. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"Higher Ground"

"Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"

"Dear Lord, Lead Me Day By Day"

* * * * *

Second Lesson: Acts 19:1-7
Theme: Unified by our Baptism in Christ

Call To Worship
Leader: We celebrate together this day the Christ, our Lord and Savior!
People: For we were once wandering in a world of uncertainty and despair.
Leader: But Christ has given us eternal hope and a life of true joy!
People: And in our Baptism we are united as one with the risen Christ.
Leader: Let our hearts sing with joy and our voices praise our beloved God!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

All-wise and merciful God, through Christ You have made it possible for each and every one of us to walk again with hope and dignity in our hearts and lives! We praise You, O Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

Lord, as we are called again to remember our Baptism, we also remember those times when we have taken it and You for granted and lived our lives not as You have called us to live, but focused on our own desires. Forgive us, Lord, and help us keep our eyes upon our commitment to You that You might one day tell us we have been good and faithful followers. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"Christ For The World We Sing"

"Come, Let Us Join Our Friends Above"

"We've A Story To Tell To The Nations"

* * * * *

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11
Theme: Commitment before the Lord

Call To Worship
Leader: Let the heavens declare the glory of the Lord!
People: Let us give unto the Lord all glory and praise!
Leader: Let our lives declare the glory due to our merciful God!
People: For the voice of God fills our ears with its beauty and strength.
Leader: Let us lift our voices in praise for God's kindness and mercy!
All: Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Collect

Almighty and merciful God, in Jesus we saw a life of perfect commitment. Even when faced with danger, from His baptism to the cross, Jesus never strayed from Your will. Help us to be faithful, Lord. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Prayer Of Confession

Lord, when we first placed ourselves into Your loving care we knew Your Spirit's power to remake us and claim us for Your own. We promised then to love and follow You, but we have found the way hard. We have often been slow to take our stand for You and at times slow even to accept Your help. Forgive us, Lord, and remake our hearts with love. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Hymns

"Higher Ground"

"More Like The Master"

"More Love To Thee"




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P: Wild animals flourish around us,
C: and prowl within us.
P: Injustice and inequity surround us,
C: and hide within us.
P: Vanity and pride divide us,
C: and fester within us.

A time for silent reflection

P: O God, may your love free us,
C: and may your Spirit live in us. Amen.

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(A)
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