The Lamb of God came to visit us

January 18, 2025 John 1:29-42 The Lamb of God came to visit us 2nd Sunday after Epiphany Human Relations Day Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship God calls us here together — each of us, all of us, our whole selves. We bring our questions, our longings, our hopes, our dreams and our fears. Jesus invites us to come and see where God is at work. Across the street and across the globe, Jesus is present. Within these walls and within our hearts, God is here. Let us worship the God who reaches out in love and invites us to come and see! (Presbyterian Outlook, Stephanie Sorge Opening Prayer Holy God, thank you for your gift of Jesus. Thank you for this opportunity to gather, lifting up the joy we know as followers of the Christ. We remember and give thanks for each one who decides once again to let our lives shine with hope, peace, joy and love as disciples (and Disciples) of Jesus. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Song I was there to here your Borning Cry TFWS 2051 A Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “We All Belong” Object: A puzzle piece or a picture of people holding hands (If you don’t have an object, you can use your hands) Pastor: Good morning! I’m so glad you’re here today. I have a question for you. Have you ever put together a puzzle before? (Wait for responses) What happens if one puzzle piece is missing? That’s right—the picture isn’t complete. (Hold up the puzzle piece or gesture with hands) Today is a special day in the church called Human Relations Sunday. That’s a big name, but it’s really about something very simple: how we treat one another. God made every person different—different colors of skin, different families, different talents, different stories. But even though we are different, God says every single person belongs. The Bible tells us that when God made people, God said, “This is very good.” That means you are good, just the way God made you—and so is the person sitting next to you. Human Relations Sunday reminds us that: • Everyone deserves to be treated kindly • Everyone should be treated fairly • Everyone belongs in God’s family Let’s try something together. Turn to someone near you and say: “You belong.” (Pause) When we are kind, when we share, when we stand up for someone who is being left out—we are showing God’s love. We are helping God’s big picture become complete. Jesus taught us to love our neighbors—not just the ones who look like us or think like us—but everyone. So this week, here’s your challenge: • Look for someone who might feel left out • Be a friend • Be kind • Help someone who needs help Because when we love one another, we show the world what God is like. Let’s pray. Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for making each of us special. Help us to be kind, fair, and loving to everyone. Help us remember that we all belong in your family. Amen. (ChatGPT 5.2) Prayer for Human Relations Day Gracious God, every day we’re confronted images of people who are not treated fairly. Open our eyes to see stereotypes that oppress some of us while providing entitlement to others. Open our ears to recognize both unfairness and indifference; Open our mouths to speak up when remaining silent is harmful; to speak out even if others won’t. Open our arms to embrace one another, to carry each other’s burdens, and to build bridges of understanding. Open our hearts so that we may fully receive your grace; point us toward your light so that we may more clearly understand your desires and vision for all humankind. We pray that in this new year we may remove the barriers that block us from seeing you clearly in one another; that divide rather that unite, and that keep us as strangers rather than neighbors. Give us the courage to stand up against those injustices and stand with those who are oppressed. Come Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen. (Upper New York Conference of the United Methodist Church) Passing of the Peace Scripture John 1:29-42 Sermon The Lamb of God came to Visit us “Come and See: An Epiphany Way of Living” John 1:29–42 Epiphany is a season that often feels quiet compared to Christmas or Easter. There are no angels singing in the sky. No shepherds rushing to a manger. No empty tomb yet. And yet, Epiphany may be one of the most important seasons of all—because Epiphany is about recognition and realization. Epiphany Moments Working in a small town in Latin America, a woman felt despair. She was experiencing marital problems, as well as conflicts with people she worked with. Without warning, an earthquake struck one day. In those moments of panic and fear she ran with other people to the relative safety of a garden plaza as buildings shattered and dust billowed. "For those moments I saw everything so clearly," she recalls, "how I could become so much kinder to my husband, how other relationships could work out. In an instant--and with such gratitude--I saw how it would be so easy for me to turn things around." In that dramatic moment this woman had glimpsed how the brokenness in her life could be mended. At that moment she saw clearly how she could bring about healing in her life. At that moment it was as if God had spoken to her in a most dramatic way. God had told John in a personal epiphany, "He on whom you see the spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit." When John saw the Spirit descend upon Jesus in the form of a dove, he knew without a doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. John believed that day because of a personal act of revelation. Sometimes that happens to people. The truth of God comes into their lives in such a dramatic fashion that they can scarcely deny that they have been in His presence. That's one way of finding Jesus. Arthur G. Ferry, Jr., Finding Jesus It is about seeing who Jesus really is… and then deciding what to do once we see. In our gospel lesson from John, there is no birth story. No manger. No magi. Instead, we are taken to the banks of the Jordan River, where John the Baptist stands, watching and waiting—and then suddenly pointing. “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Why This Story Matters This moment is crucial because it is one of the first public declarations of who Jesus is. John doesn’t say, “Here is a good teacher.” He doesn’t say, “Here is a moral example.” He says, “Here is the Lamb of God.” This is sacrificial language. This is salvation language. This is God-at-work language. John tells us that when Jesus was baptized, the Spirit descended like a dove, and God spoke. The dove matters. The voice matters. Throughout Scripture, the dove is a sign of new creation—from Noah’s ark to the prophets. In the story of Noah’s ark the dove was sent to find solid ground. He came back with a tree sprig in his beak – a message there their hope has been fulfilled. That became a message of peace, proof that God was watching and guiding. In the gospels, the dove appears to give us a message about Jesus – that once again, God heard our cries and sent a savior. In our story today.. And God’s voice confirms what human eyes might miss: This is not just another preacher by the river. This is the one God has sent. Epiphany is about moments like this—when heaven and earth briefly line up, and suddenly the truth becomes visible. Pointing, Not Centering What is especially striking is John’s role in all of this. John has followers. John has influence. John has credibility. And yet, when Jesus appears, John does not hold onto the spotlight. He does not say, “Stay with me.” He says, “Look at him.” The question for Epiphany is not, “What would Jesus do?” That question matters—but John’s story invites a different one: What would John do? John would point. John would step aside. John would make room for God to be seen. Epiphany reminds us that the church does not exist to draw attention to itself. We exist to point beyond ourselves—to Christ. “What Are You Looking For?” When two of John’s disciples begin to follow Jesus, Jesus turns and asks a deeply human question: “What are you looking for?” Not: What do you believe? Not: What doctrine do you hold? But: What are you looking for? That question echoes across time and lands right here, today. What are you looking for when you come to church? Are you looking for comfort? Hope? Forgiveness? Purpose? Community? Healing? Jesus doesn’t argue with their answer. He doesn’t lecture. He simply says: “Come and see.” Faith, in John’s Gospel, is not about having everything figured out. It is about being willing to walk, to follow, to discover. Come and See… and Then Go and Be The disciples stay with Jesus—and then they don’t keep it to themselves. Andrew goes and finds his brother Simon and says, “We have found the Messiah.” That is how Epiphany spreads. One person points. Another comes and sees. Then they go and tell. And this is where Epiphany moves from story to calling. How Do We Embody Christ for Others? If Epiphany is about revelation, then the church is meant to be a living epiphany—a place where people can catch a glimpse of Christ through us. Party Tonight! I was once staying in a motel in a large city and was surprised to find, posted to the elevator door, a small, handwritten notice which read, "Party tonight! Room 210. Eight o'clock p.m. Everyone invited!" I could hardly picture who would throw such a party, or for what reason, but I imagined that at 8:00, room 210 would be filled by an unlikely assortment of people - sales representatives seeking a little relief from the tedium of the road; a vacationing couple tired of sightseeing; a man stopping overnight in the middle of a long journey, looking for a bit of festivity; a few inquisitive and wary motel employees, there because of professional responsibility; perhaps some young people who had slipped out of their parents' rooms, anxiously curious about what was happening in room 210. Alas, the sign by the elevator soon came down, replaced by a typewritten statement from the motel staff explaining that the original notice was a hoax, a practical joke. That made sense, of course, but in a way it was too bad. For a brief moment, those of us staying at the motel were tantalized by the possibility that there just might be a party going on somewhere to which we were all invited - a party where it didn't make much difference who we were when we walked in the door, or what motivated us to come; a party we could come to out of boredom, loneliness, curiosity, responsibility, eagerness to be in fellowship, or simply out of a desire to come and see what was happening; a party where it didn't matter nearly as much what got us in the door, as what would happen to us after we arrived. Perhaps if there is to be such a party, the church is going to have to throw it. Thomas Long, Shepherds and Bathrobes, CSS Publishing Company, Inc. The party is not about being perfect. Not because we are perfect. But because we point faithfully. We embody Christ when: • we speak truth with humility • we love without condition • we work for justice without losing compassion • we make room for God instead of ourselves An Epiphany Illustration: Martin Luther King Jr. Think about Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King never claimed to be the savior. He never pointed to himself as the answer. Over and over again, he pointed beyond himself—to God’s vision of justice, to the dignity of every human being, to what he called “the beloved community.” Near the end of his life, Dr. King said: “I’ve been to the mountaintop… I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land.” That is the voice of someone who understood John the Baptist’s role. King was not trying to be the light— He was bearing witness to the light. He pointed to something greater than himself, even when it cost him everything. The Call of Epiphany Epiphany asks us: • Who are we pointing to? • What are people seeing when they watch us? • Are our lives saying, “Look at me,” or “Come and see Jesus”? And perhaps the most important question of all: What are you looking for? Because whatever you are looking for, Christ still stands ready to say, “Come and see.” And once we have seen, we are sent—not to be the light, but to reflect it. Not to be the savior, but to point to the Savior. Not to center ourselves, but to embody the love of Christ for a world still longing for an Epiphany. Let us pray….. Amen. Song The Summons (Will you Come and Follow me) TFWS 2130 Prayer There is none like you, God of infinite patience. You promise to listen to us, always. You speak more words of hope and grace and offer more acts of mercy and hope then we can count on the fingers and toes of every person who ever lived. There is none like you, Shaper of servants. Gathering up all the words we should never have spoken, you rearrange them into stories of peace and reconciliation. Sweeping up the messes we leave littered behind us, you recycle them into gifts which soften the hardest hearts. There is none like you, Ever-listening Spirit. You gather up all our cousins scattered throughout the earth, bringing us to the Table of life. You point the way to Jesus when we have lost sight of him on the fog-filled days of our souls. There is none like you, God in Community, Holy in One, and our hearts will sing new songs even as we pray, saying…. ( Lectionary Liturgy, Thom Shuman) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment What is your gift? Baking tasty treats? Creating beautiful things? Figuring tough math problems? Making people feel loved and appreciated? Welcoming strangers? Today – on Human Relations Day – we thank God for our varieties of gifts. We can’t all be bakers, artists or math geniuses. But each of us can move out of our comfort zone and reach out to the forgotten, the unloved, the vulnerable. Through Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services and Youth Offender Rehabilitation ministries, supported by the Human Relations Day offering, we share our financial gifts. Now, perhaps more than ever, God calls us to extend healing and hope that can guide us to becoming new creations in Christ. Through our gifts and support, we partner with God and God’s people to strengthen Christ’s loving presence in a hurting world. Human Relations Day offers a perfect opportunity to celebrate our special gifts and to find new ways to serve God. Offertory Prayer Loving God, thank you for making each of us unique. Help us to recognize how our talents, blended with the gifts of others, can enrich your world. Generous God, we are reminded through scripture of the spiritual gifts that you give. We know that these are not for us to hold onto but are gifts for us to share – gifts from you meant for giving. As we offer our tithes and offerings, prompt us to commit more than dollars, but to see the gifts you have written on our hearts and to share generously of these as well! We pray these words in the name of Jesus, in whose way we follow, for whose love we are eternally grateful. Amen. (United Methodist Board of Discipleship) Announcements Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Go and see! God is at work all around us. Go and see! Jesus invites us to follow. Go and see! The Holy Spirit sends us out, empowered, renewed, inspired and equipped to do our part. Let us go and see, in power and in peace, to share God’s love with all. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of our parent God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit are with us, today and always. Amen (Presbyterian Outlook, Stephanie Sorge) Additional Illustrations One of the great celebrative anthems that comes to us from the African-American culture is the powerful spiritual “Ain’t Got Time To Die.” It was written by Hall Johnson and it has these joyfully dramatic words: “Been so busy praising my Jesus, Been so busy working for the Kingdom, Been so busy serving my Master Ain’t got time to die. If I don’t praise him, If I don’t serve him, The rocks gonna cry out Glory and honor, glory and honor Ain’t got time to die.” In this inspiring and wonderful spiritual song, the composer is underscoring and celebrating the joy and excitement of being a Christian, the joy and excitement of serving our Lord in gratitude for what he has done for us. The point that this spiritual is trying to drive home to us with great enthusiasm is that when we really become Christians, when we really commit our lives to Christ; then, we can’t sit still. We become so excited, so thrilled, so grateful for our new life in Christ that we can’t help but love Him, praise Him, serve Him, and share Him with others. This is precisely what happened to Andrew. He found the Messiah, he encountered Jesus – and he was so excited he couldn’t sit still. Immediately, gratefully, excitedly, he ran to share the good news with his brother Simon. It reads like this in the first chapter of John’s Gospel… Landed on Top of a Lamb A tourist visited a church in Germany and was surprised to see the carved figure of a lamb near the top of the church’s tower. He asked why it was there and was told that when the church was being built, a workman fell from a high scaffold. His co-workers rushed down, expecting to find him dead. But to their surprise and joy, he was alive and only slightly injured. How did he survive? A flock of sheep was passing beneath the tower at the time, and he landed on top of a lamb. The lamb broke his fall and was crushed to death, but the man was saved. To commemorate that miraculous escape, someone carved a lamb on the tower at the exact height from which the workman fell. Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, Original Source Unknown. ___________________ Word of Mouth Evangelism Everyone knows that the best form of advertising ever invented and the one that is still most successful is word-of-mouth — people telling other people. About sixty years ago there used to be an automobile named the Packard. Packard was the last car manufacturer to get into advertising. It didn’t happen until old man Packard died, because whenever he was approached to buy some advertising for his cars he always said, "Don’t need any; just ask the man who owns one." After his death, "Ask the man who owns one" became the Packard slogan. Our Lord Jesus Christ is also known through word-of-mouth advertising. That’s how the word about him gets out. Only the Shepherds at the first Christmas heard the good news from angels. Only the Wise Men were led by a Star. Just a comparative few were touched by miracles. Almost everybody came to know Jesus Christ. Daniel G. Mueller, Just Follow the Signs, CSS Publishing Company Our Misguided Goals There's an emptiness in pursuing anything less than God's call. Darrell Bock is one of those baby boomers who has entered mid-life. A teacher at Dallas Theological Seminary, he writes in Christianity Today how as a young, idealistic man, headed for seminary, he thought being a successful Christian meant "being a winner for God, taking control, and doing all I could for his kingdom...The essence of our spirituality was to do all we could for God in the 40 or so years we had." Now, at mid-life, he has discovered that such spirituality is empty. Much of it was influenced by American culture with its bent toward independence and self-fulfillment. Darrell writes: "Many pews on Sunday morning are filled with people seeking God, praying like mad, studying the Word, but who still wonder why God seems so distant. Maybe it is because our culture has taught us to pursue goals that do not bring us closer to him. Perhaps those goals undermine the relationships we are to have with him and with others. What are some of our misguided goals? "Where our culture says, 'Seek your place in the world!' our God says, 'Seek the kingdom of God.' Where our culture bids us to 'find yourself!' God calls us to 'lose yourself, and so find life.' Where our culture calls us to 'be your own self-made person!' our God calls us to become 'members together of one body...' Where our culture teaches us to 'look to your own needs and interests!' God calls us to have 'the attitude of Christ Jesus, who took on the nature of a servant.' Where our culture promises, 'You can have it all!' God calls us to 'consider it rubbish, that we might gain Christ.' Where our culture mandates, 'Be at the top of your game!' God calls us to 'be crucified with Christ.' When we perceive our existence as a call from God--rather than as a search for self--we free ourselves from the maelstrom of self-oriented ambition and find our ultimate purpose in life." That's where clarity is found--not in knowing what we are looking for, but in answering Christ's call and abiding in him. William J. Kemp Dance the Offering Forward A missionary in Africa was preaching his first sermon in a mission church. When time came for the offering, the people danced their offerings forward. They danced and sang praise to God as they brought their offerings to the altar. It was a beautiful moment. What do you think? Should we get our ushers to do that? After the service, he asked one of the people, “Why do you dance and sing when you bring your offering forward on Sunday morning?” Back came the answer: “How could we not dance? We are so grateful to God for what He has done for us in sending Jesus Christ to save us, that we have to dance and sing our thanksgiving and besides it says in the Bible, God loves a cheerful giver.” Let me ask you something. Do you feel gratitude to God that strongly? Do you have a strong case of the “can’t help its” when it come to gratitude? When you are Christians, gratitude is the spirit of your lifestyle. When you are a Christian, you can’t help but be grateful! James W. Moore, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com A Drum Major For Peace Since our country celebrates the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr day tomorrow, I thought I might share this passage from a sermon of his. Perhaps his words can be an expression of hope for us as well. May we be found to be so faithful in telling the truth that others will know our commitment to Jesus, and they will desire to experience faith for themselves. King preached: "Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice; say that I was a drum major for peace; I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind." "And that's all I want to say…if I can help somebody as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody he's traveling wrong, then my living will not be in vain. If I can do my duty as a Christian ought, if I can bring salvation to a world once wrought, if I can spread the message as the master taught, then my living would not be in vain." May we all be so fortunate as to live those words. Carla Thompson Powell, Truth to Tell ________________________________ We Would See Jesus William Willimon notes that in many churches there is a little brass plaque attached to the preacher’s side of the pulpit. It is not something the people in the pew can see, but something that no pastor can miss as he or she prepares to speak. It is a reminder of why people have come to church that morning. It simply reads: "We would see Jesus." And it’s true, isn’t it? Isn’t that why people come to worship? Take Oscar for example. He had been in the church most of his life. Like many, he attended more or less regularly, gave as he could, and enjoyed the company of a few friends he had there. But when his wife was diagnosed with MS, his presence in worship took on a different thrust. He came wanting answers for his questions, peace amid life’s uncertainty, healing for his wife’s brokenness. He came wanting to see Jesus. And we know how that is, don’t we? We too want to see Jesus. But you know what I’ve noticed? A lot of the time we want to see Jesus, but we prefer to do it from a distance. Take the two followers of John the Baptist in our lesson this morning. They are standing with their teacher when Jesus walks by. John recognizes Jesus, points him out to them, and announces that Jesus is the Lamb of God. Now one would think they would do exactly what they did—that they would drop everything, leave John and follow Jesus. But they do so at a distance. They hang back. They seem to want to watch from afar--to get close, but not too close. That’s the way a lot of us may look for Jesus Donald M. Tuttle The Many Ways to Come and See William Muehl is on the faculty of Yale Divinity School, and he has spent many years teaching people who are about to become ministers and those who are already ministers. "The roads to Christian faith are as varied as the people who profess it," says Professor Muehl. "There in the congregation is the man who would rather be sitting in the car in the church parking lot reading the sports page of the Sunday paper were it not for the fact that his wife has insisted that he put on a suit and tie and accompany her into the sanctuary. There also is the teenager in the balcony with one ear on the pastoral prayer and the other focused on the whispers of her boyfriend. There is the couple who have come because they were invited by the family across the street and they had no handy excuse not to say yes. There is the young woman who is there because of the music and who reads the hymnbook during the sermon." The point of all this is that the calling to follow Christ is a pathway which is marked "come and see." It is a pathway which is far more important because of where it leads than because of where it begins. It may begin, as it did for Muehl, as a pain in the body, or, as it has for others, as a longing in the heart, a struggle in the soul, or a wondering in the mind. It is a path which some people enter alone, which others enter by tagging along with friends or family, and down which yet others are dragged, at first reluctantly, by parents or teachers. No matter how we begin, we see as we travel that the pathway has been cleared for us by the Christ who goes before us, making of our many beginnings a common journey. "Come and see," we are told, though the voice which calls us sometimes seems faint, filtered through the voices of the ordinary folk around us. And, for whatever reason, we do go, and, then, we do see. What we see is that, no matter who we were when we started, we end up with a new name, a new identity, given by Christ. What we see is that, no matter how we began our travel, we end the journey resting in the Christ who is all in all. Thomas Long, Shepherds and Bathrobes, CSS Publishing Company, Inc. A Change in Posture In a cathedral in Copenhagen, Denmark there is a magnificent statue of Jesus by the noted sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. When Thorvaldsen first completed the sculpture he gazed upon the finished product with great satisfaction. It was a sculpture of Christ with face looking upward and arms extended upward. It was a statue of a majestic, conquering Christ. Later that night, however, after the sculptor had left his fine new work in clay to dry and harden, something unexpected occurred. Sea mist seeped into the studio in the night. The clay did not harden as quickly as anticipated. The upraised arms and head of the sculpture began to drop. The majestic Christ with arms lifted up and head thrown back was transformed into a Christ with head bent forward and arms stretched downward as if in a pose of gentle invitation. At first Thorvaldsen was bitterly disappointed. As he studied the transformed sculpture, however, he came to see a dimension of Christ that had not been real to him before. It was the Christ who is a gently, merciful Savior. Thorvaldsen inscribed on the base of the completed statue, "Come Unto Me," and that picture of the Lamb of God in his mercy has inspired millions. King Duncan, ChristianGlobe Illustrations

The Promise that Things get Better

January 8, 2026 Baptism of the Lord The Promise that things get Better Isaiah 42:1-9 Year A Prelude Greeting Call to Worship Come to the waters, beloved— where Spirit moved over at creation, where Jesus was immersed in justice, where God leaned close to us. We splash in the river of God’s joy. Come to the waters, beloved— where God’s voice thunders, where God whispers kindness. We watch as Jesus steps into the muddy mess of our lives. Come to the waters, beloved— where the Spirit gifts us so we can stand side by side with the broken and forgotten. We come because we are indeed God’s beloved children. (LectionaryLiturgies, Thom Shuman) Opening Prayer Eternal God, at the baptism of Jesus, you revealed him to be your Son, and anointed him with the Holy Spirit, Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful to their calling as your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website, https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/home. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/collect-baptism-of-our-lord.html. Song O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing UMH 57 A Sermon for all Ages Children’s Sermon: “Remembering Our Yes” (Bring a small bowl of water. If possible, stand near the baptismal font.) Good morning, friends! Does anyone remember a time when you said “yes” to something important? Maybe yes to helping at home… yes to being kind… or yes to following a rule? Today is a special Sunday. It’s the day we remember when Jesus was baptized. When Jesus went into the water, God said, “You are my beloved.” When you were baptized, God said the same thing to you: “You are my beloved child.” Now, I have this bowl of water. (Show water.) This water helps us remember our baptism. Even if you were very little, something important happened that day. The grown-ups—parents, grandparents, the church—said “yes” for you. They said yes to: loving you, helping you grow in faith, and teaching you how to follow Jesus. Later today, the whole church is going to say “yes” again. That’s called renewing our baptismal vows. Renewing our vows means we remember: God loves us. God is with us. And we promise to help each other follow Jesus. The Bible story today says God’s servant is gentle. It says the servant doesn’t break people when they are hurting. That’s part of our baptism promise too. When we say “yes” today, we are saying: We will be kind. We will help others. We will take care of people when they feel sad or weak. And here’s something really important: We don’t say “yes” by ourselves. Look around. (Pause.) The whole church says “yes” together. We help each other keep our promises. So when the water is used later and the questions are asked, listen carefully. That’s the church remembering who we are: God’s beloved children, called to love and serve. Let’s practice saying “yes” together. When I say, “God loves you,” you say “Yes!” God loves you! (Children respond: “Yes!”) God is with you! (“Yes!”) God calls us to help others! (“Yes!”) Let’s pray. Prayer Loving God, Thank you for the water of baptism. Thank you for loving us first. Help us keep saying yes to you, and yes to loving others. Amen Affirmation of faith We trust in God the Holy Spirit everywhere the giver and renewer of life. 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. (Presbyterian Outlook, A Brief Statement of Faith) Scripture Isaiah 42:1-9 Sermon The Promise that Things get Better The Messianic Age The Messianic Age. This is what every Jewish child of God was hoping, praying, and waiting for. It is easy to see why when we hear God's Old Testament promises about the Messianic Age: (Isa 2:2) In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. (Isa 2:4) They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Isa 35:5-7) Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. (6) Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. (7) The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. (Isa 60:3,10-13) Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. (13) "Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you ... (11) Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations-- their kings led in triumphal procession. (12) For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined. (13) "The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the pine, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn the place of my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place of my feet. (Isa 65:20-21,25) "Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. (21) They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit ... (25) The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD. What wonderful, beautiful promises. No wonder God's Jewish children could hardly wait for the Messianic Age. The Old Testament Scriptures clearly state that the beauty and wonder of the Messianic Age will become a reality; but this will be so only with the coming of the Messiah. The Messiah. It is He Who brings about the Messianic Age. Today, in the story of Jesus' baptism, Matthew tells his Jewish audience that the Messiah has come and that the Messianic Age is about to begin. And, in a departure from Jewish expectations about the Messiah, Matthew tells his Jewish audience that Messiah Jesus has come to take the sinner's place. Adrian Dieleman, Jesus: A Baptism of Repentance? ____________________ The book of Isaiah gives us such wonderful words of hope. It paints a picture of a wonderful world that works for everyone. A world of shalom – peace, justice, wholeness and wellbeing. A world where a supportive community provides all of those things for each individual. The book of Isaiah spans 500 years where the hope, that dream never fades. Our scripture for today – Isaiah 42:1-9 stands somewhere in the middle of that time period. This scripture introduces the concept of the suffering servant. A person who carries the spirit of God, who is called to lead, who cares for the community, but who would not hurt a fly. This person is able to make things happen, but in a calm, peaceful, gentle manner. We are grateful for this person, and we assume that this person is Jesus. And yet Isaiah speaks long before Jesus was born, and he speaks long after Jesus has Risen. The words of Isaiah are still relevant for today. Welcoming Mr. Forsythe Argile Smith Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43 Mr. Forsythe made his work as an elementary school principal look easy. He had a knack for managing his swarm of teachers, coaches, administrators, students, and parents so that teaching and learning could happen every school day. Even though he didn't try to rule with an iron hand, everyone seemed to have tremendous respect for him. He certainly didn't look like a top-shelf administrator. Not a tall man at all, he had a few strands of unruly gray hair on the top of his head with a little more hanging on for dear life around his hat line. A portly fellow, he cut a heavy-in-the-middle figure that would remind you of Santa Claus, and he always looked like he had been dressed by committee. Nothing he wore seemed to match really well or fit quite right. His signature accessory to his garbled wardrobe happened to be a pair of thick glasses that perched precariously on the end of his nose all the time. Mr. Forsythe had incredible power over the school. Teachers lived with the reality that he could fire and replace each one of them as he deemed necessary. Students knew that the stroke of his pen could have them imprisoned to detention, Saturday school, or worse. Parents learned that he had the clout to make things happen. Every member of the school board understood his depth of his influence in the community. But power didn't matter to him very much. The children in his school, however, meant the world to him. He cared deeply about them -- each one of them. For instance, he liked to drop by the third-grade classes and quiz the students on their multiplication tables. All third-graders should have a firm grip on everything from "two times one" to "nine times nine" as far as he was concerned. That's why he would arrange "surprise" visits to each of the third-grade classes. On a typical surprise visit, he would say to the teacher, "I dropped by to see if these students were as smart as the other third-grade classes." Then he would ask, "Would you mind if I asked a few questions?" That's when the fun would begin. He would walk down the aisles, point to a student at random, and throw out a question like, "Two times seven?" A correct answer got a hearty, "Great!" Answering incorrectly got an encouraging "you'll get it next time" reply. Up and down the aisle he would go, hurling multiplication table questions left and right. Then he would leave, thanking the teacher for allowing him to interrupt and adding so everyone could hear, "They're really smart, aren't they?" One day he made a surprise visit to a class in which Charlie sat quietly trying to deal with a toothache. Charlie came from a poor family that couldn't afford dental care. He didn't wear nice clothes either, and he knew it. In fact, Charlie spent much of his time at school trying to be invisible. To make matters worse, his tooth hurt on the very day Mr. Forsythe made one of his surprise visits his class. In usual fashion, Mr. Forsythe made his way up and down the aisle and quizzed one student after another, getting closer to Charlie with each step he took. Then he flashed the question at Charlie, "Six times nine?" Forgetting his pain for a split second, Charlie spoke up, "Fifty-four." Then Mr. Forsythe launched a follow-up query, "Nine times eight?" "Seventy-two!" Charlie shot back. "You're good." Mr. Forsythe said. Then he turned to the teacher and confirmed, "He's really good." After Mr. Forsythe left the classroom, Charlie thought about Mr. Forsythe's visit. The most powerful person in his third-grade world had just said in public that he mattered. For a while, his tooth stopped hurting, and his self-esteem healed a little too. As far as he was concerned, Mr. Forsythe could visit his classroom anytime. Jesus came, powerful yet gentle and caring. People who know Him that way always welcome Him into their lives. Mr. Forsythe was an ordinary man, who came to an ordinary student and give them a really profound calling. When Jesus was baptized, he knew it was time to step into his calling. God made that calling known to all of the world. His calling was to be the suffering servant of the day. In Isaiah – in the first half of the scripture – God is talking about the suffering servant, he talks in third person. He says he/him. But right after he names the characteristics of the suffering servant – he changes – he says you. I have called you for a good reason, I will hold you hand. When God says you – who is God talking about? There is some speculation that you is Jesus, or some other modern figure. But what if when God says I have called you for a reason, God is actually talking about – you – the people listening, the people who claim Jesus Christ as a savior, the people who follow Jesus, the ones who have been baptized? Jesus was baptized, and claimed – but so are we. Blessing brings responsibility When Jesus was baptized, he was given an identity, a mission and a purpose. When we are baptized we are given a mission to fulfill also. When the church forgets to stay united in its mission, when we get so caught up on ourselves, that we forget that all that we do is for the good of others, we are like a ship without a sail. Jesus mission to feed the hungry, to help the blind to see, to set the prisoners free is our mission. Our assignment throught baptism, our call to be obedient servants. God is trying to do a new thing in the world, he calls you, he accepts you, because he needs you. A young girl treasures the times with her granddad, because everyday he prays with her and for her and makes her feel important in the eyes of God. She misses her grandfather deeply when he passes away, because no one else prays for her. One day she asks her mom why she doesn’t bless her the way her grandfather did. Her mom tells her that she blesses her daughter everyday, she prays to God everyday on her behalf, but she doesn’t have to wisdom to make sure that she knows. How many of the people in our lives know that we pray for them, that we accept them, that they are important to us. Being baptized, blessed by God is not only a gift, it is a responsibility. Your responsibility is to be a blessing to other people. What if baptism was God’s way of starting a quiet revolution today – not a revolution of protest, force, or violence. But a revolution of humble love. Baptism is not just a ticket to heaven, it is an invitation to be the body of Christ for the world. We are called to care for others, to build community, to model God’s love for people who cant see it any other way. Through the words of Isaiah – baptism is connected to justice, but also to mission. The Connection between Baptism and Mission There is a vital connection between baptism and mission. Another way to put it is that there is a vital connection between going down and going out. We do not play our part in the world's redemption when we climb ladders so much as when we are pulled downward. It is out of our pain that we heal. It is out of our poverty that we make others rich. It is from our ignorance that we enlighten others. It is by our brokenness that others become whole. It is from our dying that others come to life. We must follow Jesus in his descent, we must accept his downward mobility and our own if we are to be his true disciples, if we are to allow resurrection in our lives. In this terrible demand that we go down with Jesus in downward mobility, that we go down with him in the murky waters of the river and the dark waters of death -- in this terrible demand there is good news for us. For we already know what it means to go down. Perhaps you went down at some time in the past -- an unhappy childhood, a broken marriage, a career failure, a horrible bereavement. Perhaps you find yourself down at the bottom right now -- estranged from a loved one, troubled by an aging body, upset at a world that's changed too fast. You already know what it means to go down. You feel confused, ashamed, and without any power. Your downward descent leaves you groggy. The good news is this: there is power in that downward descent. Not power to grab and keep yourself, but power to use in serving other people. Whatever it is that has taken you to the bottom has been a baptism – if you stand out of the way and let it work. The death you have experienced can be life for someone else. That baptism of yours, horrible and unwelcome though it was, can lead you to some unexpected mission where Christ will rise again in you and your neighbor. Charles Hoffacker, Downward Mobility _____________________________________ Through baptism we have been given the power not just to assess the world – but to change the world. We have the power to make a difference. Remember your baptism and be thankful. Let’s Pray…….. Song Breathe on me Breath of God UMH 420 Prayer Lord’s Prayer Baptismal Renewal (You do not have to mention to invitation at all) Invitation Leader: Beloved of God, today we remember that we are a people formed in water and Spirit. We remember that Jesus stepped into the waters of the Jordan, not because he needed to be cleansed, but to show us what it means to be fully human— to say yes to God, yes to belovedness, yes to the work of gentle justice. Today we step into that yes again. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Michael Anthony Howard) Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith UMH page 40 Thanksgiving over the Water UMH 41 Prayer of Dedication As a river carries life to land, take our gifts and carry them into the world, God of waters. There, may they set people free, open closed eyes and clenched fists, proclaim faith instead of fear, share peace instead of platitudes. This we pray in the name of the Beloved. Amen. Affirmation God is the creator of wind which stirs us to compassion and the mover of wind which carries God’s cries for justice into every corner of creation. Jesus is the Beloved who stepped out of Glory into the water of baptism, who muddied his feet walking the dusty road to death, who was raised to make us new. The Spirit still comes, resting upon us like a dove, transforming our ordinary lives into gifts of peace and reconciliation, sending us into a broken world to bring healing and hope. God in Community, Holy in One, you are our faith, our hope, our life, our love. This we believe. Amen. (Lectionary Liturgies, Thom Shuman, 2026) A Moment for Stewardship Prayer of Thanksgiving God of all good gifts, thank you for the gift of baptism, which marks us for life here and life eternal. Please accept our offerings as signs of our love for you and our desire to share Good News with all who are eager to claim new life. AMEN (Disciples of Christ Center for Faith and Giving) Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook The heavens have opened and we have heard God’s voice. Let us go to speak up for all whom the world ignores. We have stood in the waters of baptism gathered into the welcoming arms of Jesus. Let us go to embrace everyone who finds the doors of hope, justice, life slammed in their faces. We have felt the touch of the Spirit resting upon us like a gentle dove. Let us go to be light in the shadows cast by the privileged and powerful, and bring peace to the broken places. (Lectionary Liturgies, Thom Shuman,2026) Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction Hear the voice of God that claimed you in baptism: you are precious and beloved in God’s sight. God has claimed our lives in baptism that we might die to sin and be raised to new life. God’s Spirit empowers us now to follow Jesus into our world, so as you go, lift up the broken hearted and stand with the oppressed. Love God with your whole lives and love neighbors as yourselves. Amen. (Presbyterian Outlook, Roger Gench) Additional Illustrations Welcome To a Journey The story is told of a pastor's words to a baby shortly after he had baptized her. No doubt, the minister was speaking as much to the congregation as to the infant. "Little sister, by this act of baptism, we welcome you to a journey that will take your whole life. This isn't the end. It's the beginning of God's experiment with your life. What God will make of you, we know not. Where God will take you, surprise you, we cannot say. This we do know and this we say -- God is with you." And God will be with us as we live out our baptism. William B. Kincaid, III, And then Came the Angel, CSS Publishing Company Jesus' Consecration Some years ago, a Scottish minister told his congregation about dreaming he had died. When he came to the pearly gates, to his dismay, he would be denied entrance until he presented his credentials. Proudly the Pastor articulated the number of sermons preached and the prominent pulpits occupied. But Saint Peter said no one had heard them in heaven. The discouraged servant enumerated his community involvement. He was told they were not recorded. Sorrowfully, the pastor turned to leave, when Peter said, "Stay a moment, and tell me, are you the man who fed the sparrows?" "Yes," the Scotsman replied, "but what does that have to do with it?" "Come in," said Saint Peter, "the Master of the sparrows wants to thank you." Here is the pertinent, though often overlooked, point: great and prominent positions indicate skill and capacity, but small services suggest the depth of one's consecration. And so it is with Jesus' Baptism. He submits to John's baptism of repentance even though he himself was perfect and had no need to repent. Jesus identified with our sins by being baptized. He joined in the popular movement of his day. It was a grass roots movement started by a desert monk named John the Baptist. John was calling for the repentance of Israel. Jesus chose to be baptized because he wanted to participate with the people in their desires to be close to God. Brett Blair, www.Sermons.com. Adapted from G. Curtis Jones, 1000 Illustrations for Preaching and Teaching, Nashville: Broadman, p. 241. _____________________ Meaning of Baptism Those who are baptized in Jesus do not need to strive after a new life. They have already attained new life through dying with Christ. But they do need to nurture that new life so it can grow and mature. That's what church is for. That's what Bible study is for. That's what prayer is for. It is like the Parable of the Sower. Many of those seeds sprouted up, but only a few grew into maturity. The rest withered and died. A wealthy businessman was horrified to see a fisherman sitting beside his boat, playing with a small child. "Why aren't you out fishing?" asked the businessman. "Because I caught enough fish for one day," replied the fisherman. "Why don't you catch some more?" "What would I do with them?" "You could earn more money," said the businessman. "Then with the extra money, you could buy a bigger boat, go into deeper waters, and catch more fish. Then you would make enough money to buy nylon nets. With the nets, you could catch even more fish and make more money. With that money you could own two boats, maybe three boats. Eventually you could have a whole fleet of boats and be rich like me." "Then what would I do?" asked the fisherman. "Then," said the businessman, "you could really enjoy life." The fisherman looked at the businessman quizzically and asked, "What do you think I am doing now?" The baptism of Jesus is dying to our self-centered endeavors and being resurrected into a life marked by grace and love. When we live in the baptism of Jesus, we touch the hearts of others and help open them to the Holy Spirit and new life in Christ. Are you living and growing in the new life you have been given? Paul Peterson, The Waters of Death ___________________ We Draw the Circle Too Small Roy Lloyd, a Lutheran minister, once interviewed Mother Teresa. He said that one of his questions and one of her answers stands out in his mind as "a bright sun burning in my mind." He asked her, "What's the biggest problem in the world today?" And she answered, without hesitation, "The biggest problem in the world today is that we draw the circle of our family too small. We need to draw it larger every day." With all that is evil and wrong in this world today it would be easy to answer that question with a hundred different events. That's what makes Mother Teresa's response so jilting. She is saying that the problem is not so much with the world as it is with us. We need to see more people as our neighbor than we are currently doing. I see Jesus doing this in his baptism. In his baptism he included us in his righteousness. He identified with humanity, with our need to be cleansed, and our need to be made pure. If you have been baptized you have been drawn, by Jesus' baptism, into the circle of God's family. Brett Blair, www.Sermons.com. ____________________ What Will You Do with Your Gift? There is a folk tale from India that summarizes our thoughts this morning. It seems that there was a good king who ruled wisely and who ruled well. One day the king called his three daughters together and told them he was leaving on a long journey. "I wish to learn about God, so I will need to go away and spend a long time in prayer. In my absence I will leave the three of you in charge. Before I leave I would like to leave each of you with a gift; a gift I pray will help you learn how to wisely use your power to rule." Then he placed in each of their hands a single grain of rice. The first daughter tied a long golden thread around her grain of rice and placed it in a beautiful crystal box. Every day she looked at it and reminded herself that she was powerful. The second daughter took one look at the common grain of rice, and threw it away, thus squandering her father's mysterious gift. The third daughter just looked at her grain of rice for a long, long time - until she finally understood what to do with it. She went outside and planted it in the ground. And it became a seed, giving life beyond itself, eventually turning into vast fields of hope and nourishment for others. When the father returned years later, he asked his three daughters what they had done with their grains of rice. Though he was polite to his first two daughters, he did not respond to their explanations with much enthusiasm. It was only after the king saw the fields of grain resulting from his third daughter's wisdom that he responded with delight. Taking the crown off his head, he placed it on hers, saying, "Beloved, you alone have learned the meaning of power." From that day forward, the youngest daughter ruled the kingdom. She ruled long, and she ruled wisely, and she ruled well. Brothers and sisters, this day as we remember the blessings and power of our baptism, as we set apart brothers and sisters for particular tasks of ministry, I pray that all of us will continue to be God's delight - powerful servants - pouring out our power for the hope and nourishment of the world. William R. White, Stories For The Journey (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1988), adapted by Susan R. Andrews, The Offense of Grace, CSS Publishing Company Messages from God A few years ago there were billboards scattered throughout the United States with messages from God. Some guy had purchased the space and conducted an advertising campaign for God. Actually, the person responsible for these "Messages from God" chose to remain anonymous. The Smith Agency in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, launched the advertising campaign in September 1998. Andrew Smith, the agency's president, said that an individual simply appeared in their office one day and hired them on the spot. He said that their agreement with this individual prohibited them from releasing his name but he did say that the person is quite well known. These 15 messages signed by God have appeared on billboards and buses: 1. Let's Meet at My House Sunday Before the Game.--God 2. C'mon Over and Bring the Kids.--God 3. What Part of "Thou Shalt Not ..." Didn't You Understand?--God 4. We Need to Talk.--God 5. Keep Using My Name in Vain And I'll Make Rush Hour Longer.--God (This add is placed in congested Urban areas). 6. Loved the Wedding, Invite Me to the Marriage.--God 7. That "Love Thy Neighbor" Thing, I Meant It.--God 8. I Love You ... I Love You ... I Love You.--God 9. Will The Road You're on Get You to My Place?--God 10. Follow Me.--God 11. My Way Is the Highway.--God 12. Need Directions?--God 13. You Think It's Hot Here?--God (During the Summer) 14. Tell the Kids I Love Them.--God 15. Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be a Test.--God It's a cute campaign and clever and it would be nice if God actually would spend a little more time advertising his thoughts. But this exposes the fault in us humans. We want a definitive answer. We want some rules to go by and we want to be told how to behave and what we should do. The Ten Commandments do this for us but we slowly found out --through centuries and centuries of countless sins and human atrocities--that we were not able to abide by them. So what is God to do? Take out an add campaign on our city buses and billboards? No, I don't think so. Instead he does something very different. He says, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." What a difference! Instead of rules written on tablets, buses, and billboards, he says, "I'd like to introduce you to someone special. Here, I want you to meet my son. I love him a great deal. I am so proud of him." What do you do about that? It's one thing to forget a commandment. It's quite another to slam the door in the face of a relative. Brett Blair, Sermons.com. ____________________ The Unbaptized Arm Ivan the Great became the great sovereign ruler of all of Russia during the Fifteenth Century. He brought together warring tribes and independent provinces. He has been called the gatherer of all of Russia. As a fighting man he was courageous. As a general he was brilliant. He drove out the Tartars and established peace across the nation. However, Ivan was so busy waging his campaigns that he did not have a family. His friends and advisers were quite concerned. They reminded him that there was no heir to the throne, and should anything happen to him the union would shatter into chaos. “You must take a wife who can bear you a son.” The busy soldier statesman said to them that he did not have the time to search for a bride, but if they would find a suitable one, he would marry her. The counselors and advisers searched the capitals of Europe to find an appropriate wife for the great tsar. And find her, they did. They reported to Ivan of the beautiful dark eyed daughter of the King of Greece. She was young, brilliant, and charming. He agreed to marry her sight unseen. The King of Greece was delighted. It would align Greece in a favorable way with the emerging giant of the north. But there had to be one condition, “He cannot marry my daughter unless he becomes a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.” Ivan’s response, “I will do it!” So, a priest was dispatched to Moscow to instruct Ivan in Orthodox doctrine. Ivan was a quick student and learned the catechism in record time. Arrangements were concluded, and the tsar made his way to Athens accompanied by 500 of his crack troops--his personal palace guard. He was to be baptized into the Orthodox church by immersion, as was the custom of the Eastern Church. His soldiers, ever loyal, asked to be baptized also. The Patriarch of the Church assigned 500 priests to give the soldiers a one-on-one catechism crash course. The soldiers, all 500 of them, were to be immersed in one mass baptism. Crowds gathered from all over Greece. What a sight that must have been, 500 priests and 500 soldiers, a thousand people, walking into the blue Mediterranean. The priests were dressed in black robes and tall black hats, the official dress of the Orthodox Church. The soldiers wore their battle uniforms with of all their regalia — ribbons of valor, medals of courage, and their weapons of battle. Suddenly, there was a problem. The Church prohibited professional soldiers from being members; they would have to give up their commitment to bloodshed. They could not be killers and church members too. After a hasty round of diplomacy, the problem was solved quite simply. As the words were spoken and the priests began to baptize them, each soldier reached to his side and withdrew his sword. Lifting it high overhead, every soldier was totally immersed-everything baptized except his fighting arm and sword. That is a true historical fact. The unbaptized arm. What a powerful picture of Christianity today. How many unbaptized arms are here this morning? How many unbaptized wills are here? How many unbaptized talents? Unbaptized check books? Unbaptized social activities? How many are there here this morning? Wayne Dehoney, Walnut Street Baptist Church. ______________________________ The Majesty of God Roy L. Smith tells about an aged and scholarly minister with a flair for astronomy who spent the night on a California mountaintop with a group of young men from his church. It so happened that a little after midnight two great stars came into conjunction, and the dear old man went from sleeping bag to sleeping bag, shaking them and shouting, “Get up! Get up! Don’t miss it! Don’t let God Almighty put on such a show as this for just this old mule and me!” Anyone who is sensitive to the beauty of nature sees God daily. When was it that you first realized the majesty of God? Perhaps it was at the birth of your first child. What greater miracle in all of creation is there than this--the birth of a new human being? As we watch that child learn to smile and to make sounds--then to talk and to walk and finally to grow into a mature person, we are led to the dramatic realization that there is more to life than mere physics and chemistry. Behind creation stands a Creator. When was it that you first realized the majesty of God? King Duncan, Collected Sermons, www.Sermons.com

Christmas is not over

First Sunday after Christmas Matthew 2:13-23 A Christmas Story Prelude Greeting Call to Worship Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” On this first Sunday of Christmas, we, too, have come to worship Jesus the Messiah: the son of David, the son of Abraham. When the wise men saw the child with Mary his mother, they knelt down, paid him homage, and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. On this first Sunday of Christmas, we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you, O God. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all. Glory to God in the highest heaven! (Presbyterian Outlook, Phillip Gladden) Invocation Holy Love, we delight in your presence among us. We anticipate your wisdom, assurance, and challenge. Soften our hearts, enliven our spirits, and expand our minds so that we may reflect your heart, spirit, and mind. Through our remembering, give us courage to face these times and hope to seek your kingdom. In the name of the One who came to us and lives and reigns with you, we pray. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Song Joy to the World UMH 246 A Sermon for all Ages What did you Get for Christmas? Children’s Sermon: “Christmas Is Still Going” (Have a small nativity figure, a baby doll, or even a flashlight with you.) Good morning, friends! I have a question for you. Who got Christmas presents this year? (Wait for hands.) Who ate Christmas cookies? (Wait, smile.) Now here’s a trickier question: Is Christmas over? A lot of people think it is. The tree comes down. The lights go off. The songs stop playing on the radio. Sometimes it feels like Christmas just disappears. But today’s Bible story tells us something surprising. After Jesus was born, something scary happened. A king named Herod was afraid of baby Jesus. So God sent an angel to talk to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, “Get up. Take Mary and Jesus and go somewhere safe.” So Joseph got up. Mary got up. And they took baby Jesus on a journey. That means the first Christmas didn’t end with everyone staying cozy and safe. Christmas went on the road. Let’s pretend for a moment. Everyone, stand up. Now quietly tiptoe in place—because they had to leave at night. (Do it together.) Now hold your arms like you’re carrying something very precious. That’s baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph had to protect him. They had to love him. They had to keep going—even when it was hard. And here’s the important part for us: When Christmas ended for them… Christmas was just beginning. Because Christmas isn’t only about presents or lights or cookies. Christmas is about love. Christmas is about helping people feel safe. Christmas is about being kind. Christmas is about caring for others—especially when they are small or scared or hurting. So when you share your toys, that’s Christmas. When you help someone who is sad, that’s Christmas. When you say thank you, or I’m sorry, or I love you—that’s Christmas too. Christmas doesn’t stop when the decorations come down. Christmas keeps going—through you. Let’s say that together: “Christmas is not over. Christmas is just beginning!” (Repeat once more.) Let’s pray. Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for Jesus. Help us carry your love everywhere we go. Help us be kind, brave, and loving— because Christmas is still going. Amen. ________________________________________ If you’d like, I can: • shorten this to 2 minutes • adapt it for very young children • or add a simple object lesson (like moving nativity figures or a flashlight for “light in the darkness”) Is this conversation helpful so far? Affirmation of Faith In Jesus of Nazareth, true humanity was realized once for all. Jesus, a Palestinian Jew, lived among his own people and shared their needs, temptations, joys, and sorrows. He expressed the love of God in word and deed and became a brother to all kinds of sinful men and women. But his complete obedience led him into conflict with his people. His life and teaching judged their goodness, religious aspirations, and national hopes. Many rejected him and demanded his death. In giving himself freely for them, he took upon himself the judgment under which everyone stands convicted. God raised him from the dead, vindicating him as Messiah and Lord. The victim of sin became victor, and won the victory over sin and death for all. (Presbyterian Confession of Faith 1967) Passing of the Peace Song Welcome to Our World Worship and Song 3067 –(see insert) Scripture Matthew 2:13-23 A Post Christmas Story Christmas Has Just Begun By December 26th, most of the world has moved on. The radio stations switch back to regular programming. The stores rip down the decorations overnight. Trees sit at the curb, stripped of ornaments, waiting for pickup. Even in our homes, boxes come out, and we begin the quiet work of putting Christmas away. We do it almost automatically—because that’s what we’re used to. Christmas is something we finish. But the Gospel of Matthew tells us something very different. Matthew does not end the Christmas story with angels and shepherds and lullabies. Matthew tells us that after the celebration, danger arrives. After the gifts are opened, fear enters the story. After the holy night, there is a knock in the dark. Joseph has a dream—not a comforting dream, but a disturbing one. “Get up,” the angel says. “Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.” No choirs. No star. No peaceful ending. Just urgency. Mary and Joseph do not get to linger in the glow of Christmas. They don’t get to stay where it feels safe. They gather what they can, wake the baby, and leave—because love sometimes looks like running toward the unknown in order to protect what matters most. That is the part of the Christmas story we don’t put on greeting cards. And yet—it may be the most important part. Because this is where Christmas stops being a moment… and starts becoming a way of life. ________________________________________ A few days after Christmas, Mark noticed that his neighborhood looked different. The inflatable snowmen were gone. The lights were dark. A discarded Christmas tree lay on the curb, needles already browning, one string of lights still clinging to its branches. One bulb flickered on and off, stubbornly refusing to go out. Mark smiled at that. At home, Christmas was already being dismantled. Ornaments wrapped carefully in tissue paper. The stockings folded and tucked away. The nativity set sat half-packed on the dining room table. The shepherds were back in their box. The animals were missing. The wise ones hadn’t been packed yet—still waiting on the shelf, as if mid-journey. His daughter stood nearby, holding the small figure of Mary. “Why are we putting Jesus away already?” she asked. Mark paused. He gave the answer most of us give. “Well… Christmas is over.” But even as he said it, the words didn’t sit right. Later that night, he scrolled through the news. Stories of violence. Families displaced. Children caught in systems too big and too cruel for them. Fear dressed up as policy. Power protecting itself at the expense of the vulnerable. And suddenly Matthew’s story felt uncomfortably current. Herod was afraid of losing control. So he chose cruelty. And Christmas—the real Christmas—found itself on the run. Mary and Joseph became refugees. Jesus became a child whose life depended on the courage of others. The Savior of the world became someone who needed protecting. Christmas did not end with peace on earth. It collided with the reality of a broken world. And still—God stayed in it. ________________________________________ The next morning, Mark kept thinking about that flickering light on the tree at the curb. About how easy it would have been to unplug it. About how tempting it is to say, “That season is done.” But Matthew reminds us: Christmas isn’t a story we admire—it’s a story we continue. Joseph didn’t argue with the angel. He didn’t say, “Can we wait until after the holidays?” He got up. He moved. He acted. So Mark tried to do the same. At the coffee shop, he noticed the barista looked exhausted. Instead of rushing off, he thanked her by name. It felt small—but it mattered. At work, he listened instead of interrupting. At the grocery store, he slowed down instead of snapping. On the way home, he stopped at the food pantry—not because it was convenient, but because it was necessary. None of it felt dramatic. None of it came with angels singing. But it felt… faithful. That night, he took the nativity back out. This time, he didn’t put it in the center of the table like a finished display. He placed it near the edge—Mary and Joseph angled as if they were moving forward. He left the wise ones off to the side, still traveling. He kept the scene unfinished. “This is how the story goes on,” he told his daughter. Because Christmas isn’t something we protect behind glass. It’s something we carry into the world. ________________________________________ Matthew 2 reminds us that the Christmas story is not sentimental—it is courageous. It tells us that following God may lead us into uncomfortable places. That loving Christ means protecting the vulnerable. That light does not deny the darkness—it shines within it. The child grows up. The family returns home. The story continues. And now, the angels are quiet. Now, we are the ones who must get up when love calls us to move. Now, we are the ones who must shelter hope when fear threatens it. Now, we are the ones who carry Christ into a world that still needs saving So if you feel a little disoriented after Christmas—good. If you feel like something is unfinished—good. That’s because it is. Christmas is not over. It has just begun. It begins every time we choose compassion over convenience. Every time we protect the vulnerable. Every time we refuse to let the light go out—even when the season has passed. The tree may be at the curb. The music may have changed. But the child is still on the move. And so are we. So let me ask, when is Christmas over for you. Are you one to take down the decorations as soon as Christmas is over, or do you let it linger. Well this year, I didn’t get the chance to decorate my tree until Christmas day. I am one who has a hard time letting go of the Christmas spirit, so I knew that the lights stay on for me until January 9th, and then it still takes a few days to put it up. Different traditions have different opinions about the end of Christmas – for most it is January 6th of January 7th for us – Epiphany Sunday. For others ends at the feast of the baptism, which is the second Sunday of January, for others it is Candlemas, which isn’t until February 2. Of course, Jesus would want us to keep the spirit of Christmas going all year. Can you imagine what a different place the world would be if we gave to the world the way we do for Christmas. I saw a Facebook post that said the even though the giftgiving is over, Christmas just begins. Howard Thurman – the dean of Boston University as well as a civil rights leader also tells us that the work of Christmas has just began. When the song of the angels is stilled, When the star in the sky is gone, When the kings and princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flock, The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among brothers, To make music in the heart. Dr, Thurman takes his cue from Matthew chapters 5 and 6 where Jesus tells us the work of a Christian. To reach out to those who are seeking, to pray for those who are in need, to not only provide food for those who are hungry, but to reject systems that keep them impoverished, to be an intentional part of the community, to be nice to those around us, to praise God in all that we do. Jesus did all of those things for others, and he showed us how to continue that work. Basically, Jesus came into the world – to transform the world through unconditional love. He loved us so that we could love others. Unconditional love does not have a set circumstance, unconditional love does not a specific person to save, it is intended for everyone. Unconditional love does not have a set time to show itself. Anytime that we show unconditional love – the Spirit of Christmas, the spirit of Christ is in the air. Let us pray – for Christ Spirit to be with us all of the time……. (ChatGPT six) Song It Came Upon a Midnight Clear UMH 218 Prayer for the Arrival of Christmas (do not print) Almighty and eternal God, we praise you for the joy of Christmas and for the gift of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. In this season of goodwill, we remember your covenant promises and your mighty acts for all of your people. Once again, we have been comforted by the story of Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. We have taken heart when we again heard the news that a Savior was born for us in Bethlehem. We have enjoyed the celebrations and the giving and receiving of gifts. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of Christmas. And yet, Lord, we know Christmas comes in a world in which there is not much peace, joy and goodwill. Rulers use their power to get rid of anyone and anything that threatens their control. Innocent children suffer and die. So many people live with injustice every day. Death seems to have the final word. Gracious and loving God, we pray for our world that needs to hear the good news of Christmas. We pray you will give us the courage and strength to be witnesses to our Savior, not just in what we say but especially in how we live. Help us remember and share the joy of Christmas throughout the year. During this Christmas season, may we not forget to share the love you have so freely given in Jesus Christ. Guide us in all we do that we may respond with compassion to those in need. Help us be a church that takes the good news of Jesus Christ beyond the walls and traditions and safety of our buildings. Help us always to put our trust in our Lord who says, “Follow me.” [Here the prayer leader may add particular concerns of the congregation and the world, especially for those for whom the Christmas season is particularly hard because of sorrow, health issues, and other concerns.] We love you, Lord. Show us how to love others with the same grace and love you have given us in Jesus Christ. Amen (Presbyterian Outlook, Philip Gladden) Lord’s Prayer Stewardship Moment Invitation to Generosity Generosity is a spiritual gift and a discipline. Let us cultivate our practice of trusting in God’s provision, abundance, and love by giving generously to meet the needs of our community and beyond. Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving Wise God, we present these offerings to you and dedicate our time, talents, and treasures for your kingdom. May your will be done, our siblings needs be met, and your name be known through what we share in praise and thanksgiving for all you have given to us in time, talent, and treasure. Amen. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay) Announcements Community Time - Joys and Concerns Benediction When we leave this place, we keep our connection to one another. When we leave this time, we keep our focus on the God we trust. When we leave this service, we keep our worship going in service in the world. May our commitments bloom, our hope flourish, and our ministry prosper as we go forth in God’s love. (United Church of Christ Worship Ways, Cheryl Lindsay)

Jesus backs our Covenant Prayer

January 4, 2025 John Wesley Covenant Service John 1:1-18 Year A Prelude Greeting Pastoral Introduction to the Covenant Renewal Service Today, we step into the footprints of giants. Nearly three centuries ago, a movement swept across England, a movement marked not by power or wealth, but by humble hearts ablaze with a holy fire. This was the Methodist movement—a revival that shook the very foundations of society, igniting a passion for holiness, justice, and devotion to God. Farmers and merchants, laborers and scholars, young and old alike gathered in homes, fields, and chapels, united by one singular cry: "Take my life, Lord, and let it be consecrated wholly to Thee." These were men and women who understood the cost of following Christ and embraced it with joy. They preached in the open air, endured ridicule, faced persecution, and yet persisted, driven by the unshakable conviction that their lives were not their own—they belonged to God. It was this commitment, this covenant with God, that fueled their courage, transformed their communities, and changed the course of history. John Wesley, the founder of this movement, knew the importance of renewal. He knew that the human heart is prone to wander, that even the most fervent soul can grow cold. And so, every New Year’s Day, he called his people together for a Covenant Renewal Service. It was a moment to remember their calling, to recommit their lives, and to declare once again, “We are Yours, Lord, wholly and completely.” Today, we gather in that same spirit. On the brink of a new year, we look back with gratitude and look forward with resolve. This is not a mere ritual or a tradition for tradition’s sake. It is a holy moment—a chance to reset, refocus, and reorient our lives around the One who gave everything for us. So let us prepare our hearts. Let us lay down our burdens, our ambitions, and our sins at the feet of Jesus. Let us, with generations of believers before us, declare our love, allegiance, and obedience to the God who has called us into His everlasting covenant. May this be a day of transformation, a day of fresh surrender, a day when heaven meets earth in the prayers of God’s people. Now, let us enter into this sacred time together, inviting the Holy Spirit to renew us, restore us, and equip us for all that lies ahead. (A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Darrell Stetler II) Opening Prayer O God, Searcher of all our hearts, you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own. As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace, and to enter anew into covenant with you, reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us. Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being, and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (DAVID TRIPP, ENGLAND, 20TH CENT.) Song Love Came Down at Christmas UMH 242 THE INVITATION – Just print the title Dearly beloved: the Christian life, to which we are called, is a life in Christ, redeemed from sin by Christ, and consecrated to God through Christ. We have entered upon this life, having been admitted into that new covenant of which our Lord Jesus Christ is mediator, and which Jesus sealed with his own blood, that it might stand forever. On one side of the covenant is God’s promise to fulfill, in and through us, all that God declared in Jesus Christ, who is the author and perfecter of our faith. We are sure that this promise still stands, for we have known God’s goodness and proved God’s grace in our own lives day by day. On the other side, we promise to live no more for ourselves, but for Christ, who loved us even to death. He called us to serve God so that the purposes of Christ’s coming would be fulfilled. From time to time we renew our vows of consecration—especially when we gather at the Lord’s Table. But today we meet expressly, as generations of our ancestors have met, to joyfully and solemnly renew the covenant which bound them and binds us to God. ( A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Daniel Stetler II) WORDS OF ASSURANCE – Just print the title This is the message we have heard from Jesus and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ( A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Daniel Stetler II Scripture John 1:1-18 New Year Message For centuries, the new year started in March – in the springtime. That would make sense, since that is the time that nature comes back to life with new blooms, babies and green grass. It is believed that Jesus would have been born in early spring, so his birthday is in March. Originally, John Wesley celebrated his covenant service in the spring. The Roman calendar had 10 months for centuries, March was the first month. Every year there were roughly 55 days between December and March where time did not exist. It was winter and it was just too darn cold and dark to think about anything. You were just supposed to stay inside and wait for planting season. You made no plans, and kept no schedule. Finally in 700 BC, some Emporer decided to add winter to the calendar. January and February were added to the end of the calendar. That is why September which means 7th month is our ninth month. In 46 BC Julius Ceasar developed a new calendar with January and February at the beginning of the year. January become that time that you took account of your life and made resolutions. Janus is the two faced God with one eye on the past and one eye on the future. That was the time that you made plans for March and new life. February is named after the god Februa – who was a god known for cleansing the heart by destroying the old to make way for the new. So from the beginning of the calendar the new year resolutions made in January were destined to be destroyed by February. Eventually, the Christian Church stepped in and reclaimed and redefined all of the old Roman traditions. Our modern calendar was invented by Pope Gregory in 1582- with a lot of improvements like leap year to keep time on track. Catholic countries adapted the new calendar quickly. The protestant countries like the US and Britain didn’t adapt the calendar until 1752. So when John Wesley started the covenant service, it was March 25th. His first service was in 1755, and it was widely practiced by 1762. By that time it was moved to January 1st. John Wesley’s point was for us to use the spirit of January not so much to make personal plans, but to reconnect to God. To realize that our future is in God’s hands. It is not us who makes the covenant, because we are destined to break our promises. But to look the promises that God makes to us in the bible. The bible gives us countless stories where God kept God’s promise in the most questionable of circumstances. Today we say a Covenant Prayer acknowledging God’s power over our lives. The scripture for today is John 1 – a fitting scripture for the new year. It repeats the words of Genesis 1 – in the beginning was God. Only John adds Jesus to the mix. Jesus is the word that brings us grace. The new Testament means the new covenant. It is through grace of Christ that God fullfills the promise to us. Jesus words create life, so that our words create faith. John Wesley’s covenant acknowledges how grace create our future. If advent is about seeking, Christmas is about finding. Our answers to life come through prayer and preparation. And finding God in strange places. I know I have told this story before, but it fits. It is a story of a baby bear all alone playing in the snow. Unbeknown to him, there is a mountain lion stalking him. When we see the lion, he runs. He runs through the mountains, through the fields and even through the water. Finally when we reaches familiar territory he has the courage to stand up to the lion. He stands his ground and starts to roar. The mountain lion attacks and injures him. But this time he is not afraid and roars with all that he has. The mountain lion retreats and runs aways. The baby turns around and sees his father. The lion ran because of the bigger bear’s presence. The bigger bear was protecting the baby, and even licked his wounds. In the spirit of January – there is nothing wrong with making plans, resolutions and expressing hopes and dreams. When we renew our covenant with God- we know that God has our back and God will bring the future to life. Let us pray…… Children’s Sermon: “In God’s Hands” Object lesson: A soft piece of clay or Play-Doh (or a small ball of dough) Scripture connection: Romans 12:1 / John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer ________________________________________ Pastor: Good morning, friends! Have you ever made something with Play-Doh or clay? (Allow responses.) Look at this. (Hold up the clay.) Right now, it can be anything—a snake, a heart, a cross, or even a cookie! But here’s the important part: the clay doesn’t decide what it will be. It’s shaped by the hands that hold it. That’s a lot like us. A long time ago, a pastor named John Wesley wrote a very special prayer called the Covenant Prayer. In that prayer, we tell God something very important. We say: “I am no longer my own, but yours.” That means we are saying, “God, my life belongs to you.” Sometimes the prayer says things that sound a little tricky, like: • “Put me to doing” • “Put me to suffering” • “Let me be full” • “Let me be empty” But here’s what it really means—listen carefully: It means we are saying, “God, whatever happens— happy days or hard days, busy days or quiet days— I trust you.” Just like this clay trusts my hands. (Gently shape the clay into a simple heart or cross.) God promises something wonderful: When we put our lives in God’s hands, God shapes us with love, uses us to help others, and never lets us go. So when we pray the Covenant Prayer, we are saying: “God, help me love you. Help me serve you. Help me trust you.” Let’s practice together. I’ll say a line, and you repeat it after me. Call and Response: • Pastor: God, I belong to you. Children: God, I belong to you. • Pastor: Use me to love others. Children: Use me to love others. • Pastor: I trust you with my life. Children: I trust you with my life. Pastor: Friends, you are always in God’s hands— on the playground, at school, at home, and here in church. And God is shaping you into something beautiful. Let’s pray. Prayer: “Loving God, thank you for holding us in your hands. Help us trust you, follow you, and love others. We belong to you. Amen.” (ChatGPT version six) Song Go Tell it on the Mountain UMH 251 Prayer Lord’s Prayer *COVENANT HYMN – print the words Come, Let Us Use the Grace Divine (quoted) (Written by Charles Wesley in 1762 for Methodism’s Covenant Service) Come, let us use the grace divine, and all with one accord, In a perpetual covenant join ourselves to Christ the Lord; Give up ourselves, through Jesus’ power, His Name to glorify; And promise, in this sacred hour, for God to live and die. The covenant we this moment make be ever kept in mind; We will no more our God forsake, or cast these words behind. We never will throw off the fear of God Who hears our vow; And if Thou art well pleased to hear, come down and meet us now. Thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, let all our hearts receive, Present with Thy celestial host the peaceful answer give; To each covenant the blood apply which takes our sins away, And register our names on high and keep us to that day! Stewardship Moment Radiant God, the light of your wisdom and love shines for all who seek you, guiding us not with force, but with grace. Like the magi, we come bearing gifts, not to earn your favor, but in response to the gift of Christ you’ve given us. Use these offerings to reflect your light into dark places, so that others might be drawn to your love, your justice, and your joy. Keep us faithful in our seeking, generous in our sharing, and willing to be led wherever your star shines next. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (Matthew 2:1-12) (United Methodist Board of Discipleship) THE COVENANT: (Congregation please stand) And now, beloved, let us bind ourselves with willing bonds to our covenant God, and take the yoke of Christ upon us. This means that we are heartily content that Christ appoint us our place and work, and that Christ alone will be our reward. Christ has many services to be done. Some are easy, others are difficult; some bring honor, others bring reproach; some are suitable to our natural inclinations and temporal interests, others are contrary to both. In some, we may please Christ and please ourselves; in others, we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. Yet the power to do all these things is assuredly given us in Christ, who strengthens us. Let us engage our heart to the Lord, and resolve in God’s strength never to go back. Being thus prepared, let us now, in sincere dependence on God’s grace and trusting in God’s promises, yield ourselves anew to Christ. (A John Wesley Covenant Renewal Service, Daniel Stetler II) THE COVENANT PRAYER I am not my own self-made, self-reliant human being. In truth, O God, I am Yours. Make me into what You will. Make me a neighbor with those whom You will. Guide me on the easy path for You. Guide me on the rocky road for You. Whether I am to step up for You or step aside for You; Whether I am to be lifted high for You or brought low for You; Whether I become full or empty, with all things or with nothing; I give all that I have and all that I am for You. So be it. And may I always remember that you, O God, and I belong to each other. Amen. (Rev. Jeremy Smith, HackingChristianity.com) Communion Page 13 – Don’t need to print May the Lord be with you. And also with you. May your hearts be lightened and filled with God’s love! We lift up our hearts and praise God above. Let us give thanks to the Lord, God our Father. We thank God and praise Him – it isn’t a bother! It is right and good-ful; holy and wonderful; blessed and joyful; To give thanks to you God, Almighty and faithful. For it’s you that has given us this worship time, Filled with laughter, some holy humor and rhyme. It’s you that has shown us your holy love, That you have sent from heaven high up above. And so, with your angels who first sang your song, We proclaim your goodness by singing along: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven is filled with your marvelous glory; Earth is filled with your light. Blessed is he who comes in your name – “Hosanna on high!” we loudly proclaim. Holy God, it’s your Son we remember today, Jesus Christ, the anointed, whom we try to obey. He encouraged the poor and freed the oppressed, And taught us that you care about the distressed. Through his suffering, death, and resurrection, He taught that Your grace beats out our imperfection. He ascended to Heaven and sits there beside you, But still remains with us in all that we do. On the night he was taken, he lifted some bread, He blessed it, and broke it, and here’s what he said: “Dear friends, this is my body to you that I give. Take it; share it: in you I will live. From now on, whenever, wherever you meet Remember our time when this bread here you eat.” When supper was over, he then took the cup, With praise and thanksgiving he lifted it up: “For the New Covenant, this is my blood; A sign of the Lord’s continuing love. For God has forgiven your every mistake, So trust in God’s love when this drink you partake.” May we offer ourselves for God’s greater glory, And proclaim what we know of this fabulous story: Christ Jesus: he died, but then rose again! He’ll return here on earth: Hallelujah! Amen. Holy Spirit, come down on us gathered here, With this bread and this fruit of the vine please appear. Make holy this food, fill us with your grace, So we proclaim gospel to the whole human race. We love you, Lord Jesus, we’ll shout out again Your glory and honor: Amen and Amen! (Allie Scott, HackingChristianity.com Announcements Closing Prayer for Facebook Go now, beloved, as people bound by the covenant of grace, redeemed by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit. May your hearts remain steadfast, your hands ready for service, and your lives reflect the light of God’s love. Walk boldly into this new year, knowing that the One who calls you is faithful and will strengthen you for every step. Community Time – Joys and Concerns Benediction