Online Worship
Sunday, January 10, 10 a.m.

Join Pastor Melody this Sunday for worship at 10 a.m. on Facebook live!

Instructions:
  • Click here to go to our Facebook page and scroll down until you see the video of worship.
  • The link and video are viewable even if you don't have a Facebook account!
  • If you do have a Facebook account, then "like" our page to receive a notification when the service begins. 
  • Please write your name in the comments so we know you are worshiping with us.
  • Follow along with our worship service using the order of worship below.

Streaming licenses: Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services with permission under CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. All rights reserved.
Order of Worship
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Gathering & Prelude Duet #3057: "Glory in the Highest"; Tune: Gloria; Words and music: One License #A-727358
  1. Glory in the highest and peace on the earth! Glory in the highest and peace on the earth! Sing out the glad tidings of our Savior's birth! Sing out the glad tidings of our Savior's birth!
  2. Jesus seeks no lodging that sets him apart; Jesus seeks no lodging that sets him apart; He looks for a dwelling, a home in your heart; he looks for a dwelling, a home in your heart.

Greeting & Announcements

Call to Worship
  • From the waters of Creation, the earth sprang forth.
  • From the waters of a womb, God’s blessed Son was given to us.
  • From the waters of a river, people were baptized and marked as God’s Children
  • Praise be to God, whose loving gifts and presence have called us together.
  • Let us shout our love to God for His abundant love
  • AMEN.

Opening Prayer
God who watches over us, offering us light and hope, we know you are with us this day as we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism. Help us to remember your healing, cleansing, and claiming love for us. Remind us again of the many ways in which you reach out to us. May the image of the waters be for us an image of hope. Bring us closer to you, loving God. Embrace us again with your love. We open our hearts to you this day. AMEN.

Opening Hymn #245, Stanza #5: "The First Noel"; Tune: The First Noel; Words and music: Public Domain
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words:
  • 5. Then entered in those Wise Men three, full reverently upon the knee, and offered there, in his presence, their gold and myrrh and frankincense.
  • Refrain: Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the King of Israel.

Prayer of Confession
Lord, you have blessed us with life. We praise you for this blessing. What we have done with our lives has both delighted and perplexed you. We are far too often inclined to be stubborn and arrogant, believing that we are all powerful, that we have no need for you. But there is an emptiness in us - a place where we are raw and hurting, bleeding, and bruised. We have tried our own healing methods, and they have not worked. We feel as though we are an oar-less, sail-less boat drifting in water, unable to gain direction, unable to see the shore. We long for home and hope. From across these waters, you have called us. Now let us come to you in contrition, seeking your healing and forgiving love.

Pray in silence.

Words of Assurance
The love of God is always offered to us, freely, joyfully, for all eternity. Rejoice, dear friends, this is the Good News of our Lord. AMEN.

First Reading: Genesis 1:1-5 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Second Reading: Mark 1:4-11 (NRSV) Click here to read the scripture.

Sermon: "Out of Water and Wilderness"

Sermon Hymn: Tune: Adestes Fideles; Words and music: Public Domain
  • Words: Lo! Star-led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring, offer him incense, gold and myrrh; We to the Christ-Child bring our hearts’ oblations.
  • Refrain: O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.

The Apostles' Creed (Traditional Version)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Prayers for Intercession

Sung Response #2232: "Come Now, O Prince of Peace"; Tune: Geonyong; Words and music: One License #A-727358
  1. Come now, O Prince of Peace, make us one body, Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile your people.
  2. Come now, O God of love, make us one body, Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile your people.
  3. Come now and set us free, O God, our Savior, Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile all nations.
  4. Come, Hope of unity, make us one body, Come, O Lord Jesus, reconcile all nations.

The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Offering
  
Doxology #160, Stanza #5: "Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart"; Tune: Marion; Words and music: Public Domain
  • Click here to view the sheet music.
  • Words:
  • 5. Praise God who reigns on high, the Lord whom we adore, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God forevermore.
  • Refrain: Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing.

Love Feast
  1. There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky! There's a mother's deep prayer and a baby's low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
  2. There's a tumult of joy o'er the wonderful birth, for the virgin's sweet boy is the Lord of the earth. Ay! the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King!
  3. In the light of that star lie the ages impearled; and that song from afar has swept over the world. Every hearth is aflame, and the beautiful sing in the homes of the nations that Jesus is King!
  4. We rejoice in the light, and we echo the song that comes down through the night from the heavenly throng. Ay! we shout to the lovely evangel they bring, and we greet in his cradle our Savior and King!

Closing Hymn #251: "Go, Tell It on the Mountain"; Tune: African-American Spiritual; Words and music: Public Domain
  1. While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens there shown a holy light. Refrain
  2. The shepherds feared and trembled, when lo! above the earth, rang out the angel chorus that hailed our Savior’s birth. Refrain
  3. Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn. Refrain

Benediction

Postlude
Citation The liturgy in this service is adopted from the writings of Nancy C. Townley for ministrymatters.com.
Daily Prayer Starter

Please set aside time each day to pray for 2-3 minutes. This week's prayer starter is: 

"Lord, please! Oh, please! Calm the chaos of my heart and mind. Calm the chaos of my life. Calm the chaos of our world...with your peaceful and abiding Spirit..."

For prayer requests, contact Pastor Melody Tanner.

For more information about Ghent United Methodist Church, please click here to visit our website.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." -Matthew 11:28