Grace Presbyterian Church – Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Meeting in the Chapel at Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Prelude “When Jesus Came to Jordan“ Frederik August Mehrtens
Call to Worship
One: “You are my Child, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.”
All: I heard these words from the river bank while waiting for my turn.
One: I saw a dove.
All: And we heard a voice.
One: Who is it that calls Jesus, Beloved?
Who is it who calls me, who calls you, Beloved?
All: The Living God.
One: If you have never heard these words and claimed them for yourself,
All: Today is the day.
One: If you need only a reminder,
All: We are here to hear it once more. Praise be to God!
Welcome
Hymn * “Down to the River to Pray”
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way!
O sisters let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Come on sisters let’s go down
Down in the river to pray
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the robe and crown
Good Lord, show me the way!
O brothers let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Come on brothers let’s go down
Down in the river to pray
As I went down in the river to pray
Studying about that good old way
And who shall wear the starry crown
Good Lord, show me the way!
Oh sinners let’s go down
Let’s go down, come on down
Oh sinners let’s go down
Down in the river to pray
Prayer for Illumination
Unison Scripture Lesson Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Time with Children
Call to Confession
Silent Prayer of Confession
Assurance of Forgiveness
Praise be to God in Song “Gloria Patri”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Lesson Acts 8:14-17
Message Water and Fire The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 361 * “How Firm a Foundation”
Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant Sentences from Scripture Profession of Faith
Pastor: Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?
Congregation: I do.
Pastor: Who is your Lord and Savior?
Congregation: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Pastor: Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his Word and showing his love?
Congregation: I will, with the Spirit’s help.
Affirmation of Faith from the Confessions
Affirmation of Faith from A Brief Statement of Faith
The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith,
sets us free to accept ourselves
and to love God and neighbor,
and binds us together with all believers
in the one body of Christ, the Church.
The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles
rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture,
engages us through the Word proclaimed,
claims us in the waters of baptism,
feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation,
and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church.
In a broken and fearful world
the Spirit gives us courage
to pray without ceasing,
to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior,
to unmask idolatries in Church and culture,
to hear the voices of peoples long silenced,
and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.
In gratitude to God, empowered by the Spirit,
we strive to serve Christ in our daily tasks
and to live holy and joyful lives,
even as we watch for God’s new heaven and new earth,
praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
With believers in every time and place,
we rejoice that nothing in life or in death
can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Congregation: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Laying on of Hands
If you would like to come forward for a laying on of hands and a prayer, please do so. The pastor and elder(s) at the front of the church are prepared to pray the following prayer for you:
O Lord, uphold your beloved by your Holy Spirit.
Daily increase in them your gifts of grace.
Give them wisdom and understanding.
Give them joy in your presence.
May they know peace despite their circumstances.
Go before them and have their back.
Now and forever.
Amen.
Choral Anthem “Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized” Tune: Caithness
Call to the Offering
Offertory
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Pastoral Prayers concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Hymn 492 * “Baptized in Water”
Announcements
Benediction
The liturgy today was created by Pastor Robin, Rev. Sarah Caraitti (adapted Call to Worship), Teri McDowell Ott of the Presbyterian Outlook, and the Book of Common Worship. Pastoral prayers are informed by the World in Prayer, an online ministry resource.
The Grace Presbyterian Church Annual Meeting of the congregation and corporation will take place Sunday, January 26, immediately after the worship service. The purposes of the meeting are to elect Elders and Deacons, elect members of the Nominating Committee and Personnel Committees, receive reports from ministry leaders, and approve minutes of past meetings. All are welcome; members are especially encouraged to attend.
Mark your calendars:
Sunday, January 12, Session meeting at the church after worship
Sunday, January 12, Choir Rehearsal after worship in the Chapel
Sunday, January 12, Sunday School children helping with food prep for today’s Friends of Grace Dinner
Sunday, January 12, Friends of Grace dinner, 5-6:30 PM, at St. John’s Episcopal, 55 Montclair Avenue
Tuesday, January 14, Reach Meeting online, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, January 15, Robin’s Women’s Bible Study at the Manse, Wednesday at 2:30 PM
Wednesday, January 15, Session Meeting, Wednesday night, 7:30 PM
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is very low and urgently needed. Shoprite is having their “Can-Can” sale, please consider picking up non-perishables on your next grocery trip. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
Fill out an Estimate of Giving Form for 2025 on Tithely! For those of you who already give online, please use your current login information to fill in your estimate of giving card. If you are new to Tithely, you may put in your information and you do not need to sign up for giving online when you do so. Feel free to also use the printed forms or to let the office know what you will be giving for 2025.