Baptism of Christ: God Light Shining Through

Sunday, January 9, 2022
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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This morning we share the story of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the Jordan River, and we witness what happened afterwards: God’s words of love.

Join us this morning as we share a highlight of our lives together as a community, the ordination and installation of Deacons and Ruling Elders. It all begins with baptism! Worship with us in our sanctuary, or join us right here online if you are traveling or joining us from home. God’s words of love are for you, too. You are invited!

Prelude Colin DeLap, piano

“On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry,” Charles Coffin, John Chandler

Used By Permission. CCLI License # CSPL068847

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube

Call to Worship Mary Jane Sager

The voice of the Lord is over the waters,

And in the temple, God’s people say: Glory!

The heavens opened, the Spirit descended,

and a voice sounded: This is my Beloved.

Do not fear, for the Lord has spoken:

I have called you by name, and you are mine.

Hymn #231 W & R

“Arise, Your Light Is Come!” Ruth Duck

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Arise, your light is come!

The Spirit’s call obey;

Show forth the glory of your God

Which shines on you today.

Arise, your light is come!

Fling wide the prison door;

Proclaim the captive’s liberty,

Good tidings to the poor.

Arise, your light is come!

All you in sorrow born,

Bind up the brokenhearted ones

And comfort those who morn.

Arise, your light is come!

The mountains burst in song!

Rise up like eagles on the wing,

God’s power will make us strong.

Call to New Life

How do we hear God’s voice calling us? Is it like getting hit over the head with a two-by-four? Or is it a still small voice, whispering within? Does God’s voice thunder from the heavens? Or does God speak through the voices of those around us—friends, or family, or strangers? No matter the path God calls us on individually, God calls us all, without exception, to a life of wholeness and peace. Let us listen for that call and respond.

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace

Merciful God, in baptism you promise wholeness and new life, as we are joined to the body of Christ the church. We admit that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from one another. We cling to destructive habits, we hold onto grudges as if they were precious heirlooms, and we hesitate to show your wide, inclusive welcome. We allow the past to overshadow the present, and your presence. In your loving-kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from ourselves. Fulfill the promises of our baptism, so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Assurance of God’s Love

As a voice from heaven said to Jesus, so, in Christ, God speaks to us:

You are my child, my beloved; with you I am well-pleased.

In the name of Jesus Christ, and by the overwhelming love of God,

We are healed, made whole, and can rest God’s perfect peace.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sharing of the Peace

In God we can know a peace that passes all understanding.

This is the beloved community;

let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with us!

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Isaiah 43:1-7

A reading from the prophet Isaiah, beginning at chapter 43, verse 1.

But now thus says the Lord,
    he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
Because you are precious in my sight,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
Do not fear, for I am with you;
    I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you;
I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
    and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
    and my daughters from the end of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

Children’s Message Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “As with Gladness” (Public Domain)

Scripture Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke, beginning at chapter 3, verse 15.

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

Thanks be to God!

Meditation Rev. Pat Raube

Anthem

“Christ Our Light Has Come,” Steve Angrisano, Curtis Stephan

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Still, come be still; let us hear the prophets calling.

Still, come be still; let us hear the angels sing.

For true light has arrived to illumine our lives

So often beset by the darkness.

We find who we are in the light of the star

On the way to our journey’s end.

Cast aside all your fear and dread,

Come follow the light to Bethlehem.

The way of salvation revealed to all:

Christ our light has come, Christ our light has come.

Peace, there is peace; for new hope today is dawning.

Peace, there is peace; come behold the face of God.

In a promise fulfilled now his love is revealed;

All heaven and earth are rejoicing.

Put away all your fear for our path now is clear

On the way to our journey’s end.

Cast aside all your fear and dread,

Come follow the light to Bethlehem.

The way of salvation revealed to all:

Christ our light has come, Christ our light has come.

Here in this place let us stand in awe and wonder.

Here in this place we behold the mystery.

For the message goes out; there is no room for doubt:

The child now laid in a manger;

True God and true man, now revealing the plan,

The way to our journey’s end.

Cast aside all your fear and dread,

Come follow the light to Bethlehem.

The way of salvation revealed to all:

Christ our light has come, Christ our light has come.

Prayers of the People

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Prayer Response  #173 W & R

“Sing Out My Soul – Magnificat,” Jacques Berthier, Taizé

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

Sing out, my soul. Sing out, my soul.

Sing out and glorify the Lord who sets us free.

Sing out, my soul. Sing out, my soul.

Sing out and glorify the Lord God!

Call for Offering   

Doxology  

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Tune: Public Domain 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.    

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; 

Praise God, all creatures high and low. 

Praise God, in Jesus fully known: 

Creator, Word, and Spirit one. 

Prayer of Dedication   

Here we are, Loving God, with the gifts of our lives—those that have been placed in baskets today, those that have been given online, those that will be given as bequests, or as spontaneous expressions of gratitude. Here we are. Bless these gifts even as you have blessed us for service. As we give of ourselves to help and to lead, let these gifts help and encourage; let them be food and shelter; let them reach out beyond our walls to your people, so in need of hope. Let us all be blessed to be blessings for all your people. We pray in your holy name. Amen.

Hymn  #559 W & R

“Here I Am, Lord,” Dan Schutte

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.   

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin

My hand will save.

I who make the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them,

They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my Word to them.

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,

I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them,

My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide

Till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them.

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

Benediction  

Go out into the world in peace;

have courage;

hold onto what is good;

return no one evil for evil;

strengthen the fainthearted;

support the weak, help the suffering;

honor all people;

Let us love and serve the Lord,

rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thanks be to God. Amen.

Postlude  Colin DeLap, piano

“How Firm a Foundation,” Phillip Keveren

Used By Permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847