Order of Worship

First Sunday after the Epiphany

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

Prelude

Many Gifts, One Spirit

UMH #114  

 (in-person only) 

Welcome and Sharing of Announcements

A Time to Make Connections

Call to Worship

Liturgist: The voice of God calls over the waters:

People: “Beloved, receive the Holy Spirit.”

Liturgist: The Son of God beckons:

People: “Beloved, be born of water and the Spirit.”

Liturgist: The Spirit of God proclaims:

People: “Beloved, be born anew this day.”. AMEN.

Liturgist: The voice of God calls through our baptism. Come! Let us worship.

Opening Prayer



Spirit of righteousness, God of power and might, help us be a light to the nations and a reflection of your glorious salvation. Work in our lives and in our ministries, that the world might know the power of your love and grace. As you alighted upon Jesus at his baptism, descend upon us this day, that we may be a people of hope and possibility. Wash us clean and renew our spirits, through Jesus Christ, our lord. Amen.

Opening Hymn

 “Surely the Presence of the Lord”

UMH #328

Children's Time

Courtney Till

(In- person only)

Joys and Concerns

(In- person only)

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Prayer Response

“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart”

 UMH #500 (vs. 1 & 5)

ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

Scripture Readings:   Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved,[e] with whom I am well pleased.”

Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.  

Message

“Let It Be So Now!”

 Pastor Seok-Hwan

Special Music

“Voluntary V, Andante Largo"

by John Stanley

Lydia Solodiuk, organist 

We Respond

Offering

 “Spirit of the Living God” 

UMH #393

Doxology

 UMH #95

*Offertory Prayer

Be in the gifts we bring before you, O God, as you are ever in the gift of our baptism. Renew your people through this offering, as you have renewed us with your presence this day, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Sweet, Sweet, Spirit” 

  UMH#334

The Blessing and Sending Forth

Rejoice in the glory of your baptism each and every day. 

We will live in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Let your spirits soar like eagles but be as gentle as doves. 

We will drink deep from the waters of grace. 

Go forth to announce the glory of our God. 

We go, renewed and made whole, as a blessing to all.

Postlude

“Alleluia”

  George Frideric Handel

(Worship material comes from

The Abingdon Worship Annual 2023 (pp. 7-8)