January 7, 2024

ORDER OF WORSHIP 

Pastor: Rev. Kendra Balliet 
Organist: Jim Ross 

Prelude "Prelude"-Georges Mac-Master

Welcome

*Call to Worship
Leader: In the beginning, God…
People: Swept over waters, spoke light into existence, created day and night and called it good.
Leader: As the days and nights of creation filled with life, God…
People: Made humanity out of the dirt to love and tend creation, to be loved and tended by God.
Leader: As we lost our way, God…
People: Sent Jesus, Love Incarnate, to show us the way back.
Leader: On the day Jesus came to the banks of the Jordan River to be baptized, God…
People: Declared, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Leader: Let us, then, follow Jesus into the waters, remembering our baptism in which God…
People: Claims us as beloved children, the family of God.

*Opening Hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful” #147 

*Unison Prayer
God of redemption and new life, we focus once more this day on the greatest gift ever given -- Jesus, our Savior. As he was baptized by John in the Jordan, we were able to share in his baptism and receive the promise of sharing in Jesus’ resurrection. As we leave one year behind and look with hope to the new year ahead, help us to live and give of ourselves as those who know every day what a great gift we have been given. May it move us to give our whole selves more freely! In the name of Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray! Amen.

Profession of Faith: Apostles’ Creed #881

Gloria Patri

Children's Chat

Music Ministry and Offertory - "Voluntary"-John Zundel

Doxology and Prayer of Gratitude 

Scripture Mark 1:4-11

Sermon: “Sacrament and Covenant”

Joys/Concerns

Hymn "Spirit of the Living God" #393

Pastoral Prayer/Lord's Prayer

Communion

Wesley’s Covenant Prayer
“I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it. And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.”

Closing Hymn "Sent Forth by God’s Blessing" #664

Action Steps & Benediction

Postlude - "Recessional in C"-Charles Stokes

Thank you for sharing in this worship service. Please continue to stay in touch through our website (stoneumc.org) and/or by following us on Facebook (Stone UMC). If you have joys or concerns that you would like lifted up in prayer, please fill out the Prayer Card in the pew, on the website, share them by contacting us at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org