CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God blesses us with the water of life to cleanse us from our bondage to sin.
People: May the rivers of God’s mercy flow over us, so that we can live redeemed lives.
Leader: God leads us to the fountain of hope that renews creation and refreshes the soul.
People: Let us celebrate the new beginnings that God shares with us, so that we can live by faith.
Leader: The wellspring of God’s grace overflows with living water to strengthen us in discipleship.
People: As we receive the miracle of new life, let us promote God’s work and follow God’s way in all that we do.
HYMN O Bright and Morning Star, Arise Ken Heischman
O bright and morning Star, arise, and open ev’ry sinner’s eyes
That humankind will clearly see the wondrous truth that sets us free.
Salvation’s dawn forever shines with visions that our Lord designs.
O holy Child with us abide, and all injustice override
That those of ev’ry creed and race may share the warmth of Your embrace
Your way of love unveils Your reign as it grows upon earth’s terrain.
Emmanuel, incarnate Word, upon the earth His grace conferred,
Redeeming us from all our sin that transformation can begin.
The Word made flesh the old world shakes and in our lives new hope awakes.
O Counselor, so wonderful, and God’s eternal miracle
Who, through Your love and equity, fashions a new humanity.
The pow’rs of death You can subdue, and all of life You will renew.
PRAYERS OF CONFESSION (unison)
Loving and merciful God,
although You call us to work for the day when justice will roll down like a river and
righteousness like an ever-flowing stream,
we confess that we have not shared the living water that You provide.
Because we feel compelled to cater to the culture, we have contaminated our commitment.
Because we have a preference for power, we have polluted Your peace.
Because we want only our own well-being, we have not walked in Your way.
Forgive us, Lord, and wash away our sin.
Redeem us through Your rivers of renewal,
so that Your love and grace would surge through us,
and we would be transformed through the fresh waves of newness unleashed by
Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. (Silent)
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from 2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
Leader: If anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation; the old has passed away, and the new has come.
People: All this is from God, to whom we have been reconciled through Christ, and God has now given us the ministry of reconciliation.
Leader: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel:
People: Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
HYMN As the Deer Ken Heischman
As the deer pants for the water So my soul longs after You
You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship You
You alone are my strength, my shield; To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship You
You’re my friend and You are my brother, Even though You are a king.
I love You more than any other, So much more than anything.
You alone are my strength, my shield; To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship You
I want You more than gold or silver, Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver, And the apple of my eye.
You alone are my strength, my shield; To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire And I long to worship You.
SCRIPTURE Mark 1:4-11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
MEDITATION “Currents of Transformation”
HYMN Baptized in Water Ken Heischman
Baptized in water, Sealed by the Spirit, Cleansed by the blood of Christ our King;
Heirs of salvation, Trusting his promise, Faithfully now God’s praises we sing.
Baptized in water, Sealed by the Spirit, Dead in the tomb with Christ our King;
One with His rising, Freed and forgiven, Thankfully now God’s praises we sing.
Baptized in water, Sealed by the Spirit, Marked with the sign of Christ our King;
Born of the Spirit, We are God’s children, Joyfully now God’s praises we sing.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
INVITATION TO GIVE
In giving, we not only display the evidence of God’s grace in our lives,
but we also move toward our sisters and brothers in the world,
as we extend a hand that offers hope,
and as we open our arms in demonstrating our care,
and as we share our love in the name of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, let us serve our Lord through sharing our gifts, our resources, and our lives,
as we present to God the gifts of love and the gifts of our lives.
And as we do, may God’s love and grace embrace you in all that you do.
BENEDICTION