Welcome
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle to remind yourself of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we find creative ways to worship together, even though we are not in the same building. One good thing about virtual worship is that if you really like a song, you can listen to it again! Do what you need to do to worship God wherever you are.
announcements & Thanksgiving for Baptism
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Read these words to yourself our out loud. Mark the sign of the cross on your hand or forehead or in the air space in front of you. If you are with other people, you can mark the sign of the cross for each other.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.
Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as your children, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Song
Angels from the Realms of Glory
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Angels, from the realms of glory, wing your flight o’er all the earth; once you sang creation’s story, now proclaim Messiah’s birth: Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
Shepherds, in the fields abiding, watching o’er your flocks by night, God with us is now residing, yonder shines the infant light. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
Sages, leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar; seek the great desire of nations, you have seen his natal star. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son, evermore your voices raising to the eternal Three in One. Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn king.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Reading
Genesis 1:1-5
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1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Mark 1:4-11
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4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And 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. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He 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. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And 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. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Hymn of the Day
God, Whose Almighty Word
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God, whose almighty word chaos and darkness heard and took their flight: hear us, we humbly pray, and where the gospel day sheds not its glorious ray, let there be light.
Christ, who once came to bring, on your redeeming wing, healing and sight; health to the troubled mind, sight where illusions blind; oh, now to humankind let there be light.
Spirit of truth and love, life-giving, holy dove, speed forth your flight; move on the water’s face bearing the lamp of grace, and in earth’s darkest place let there be light.
Holy and blessed three, glorious Trinity, Wisdom, Love, Might: boundless as ocean’s tide, rolling in fullest pride, through the earth, far and wide, let there be light.
Apostles’ Creed, Prayers & the lord’s prayer
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With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living 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
Held together in one body by the Spirit of Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, and all who are in need.
For the worldwide church; for those who minister in the church; for all who will be baptized this year; and for their godparents and sponsors: that the Holy Spirit will empower all the faithful for lives of service, Lord hear our prayer.
For the nations of the world and their leaders; for international efforts to prevent war and reduce violence; for the armed forces; for police officers; and for peacemakers: that God inspire all people to work for the harmonious well-being of others, Lord hear our prayer.
For students; for teachers and school administrators; for parents assisting their children in home schooling; and for young people who are finding a way toward graduation: and that God gives resilience to everyone in the search for education, Lord hear our prayer.
For all who are in trouble, want, or sickness; for the countless who are suffering with COVID-19; for medical workers; for people who are hungry or homeless, imprisoned or lonely; that God grant health and wholeness to a world so filled with pain, Lord hear our prayer.
We offer our praise for all the baptized who have accompanied us and supported us and taught us throughout our days; that at our end we join with them in everlasting joy, Lord hear our prayer.
Almighty and most merciful God, we give you thanks for all your goodness and tender mercies, and we ask you to accept our prayers for the sake of your mercy, today and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Franciscan Sending
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Read this out loud. If you are with other people, take turns reading the parts out loud.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems, and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forevermore. Amen.
Sending Song
Shine, Jesus, Shine
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Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory; blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light!
Lord, the light of your love is shining, in the midst of the darkness, shining; Jesus, light of the world, shine upon us, set us free by the truth you now bring us. Shine on me, shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory; blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light!
As we gaze on your kingly brightness, so our faces display your likeness, ever changing from glory to glory, mirrored here, may our lives tell your story. Shine on me, shine on me:
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory; blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light!
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori and Ian
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: Sheri, Micah, Kathy, Ian
Children’s Moment: Pastor Kristin
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS002432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted and streamed with permission. CCLI#1162147. Portions of the All Saints Liturgy adapted from Rev. Leslie Mamas, United Church of Christ