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Prelude “Von Himmel hoch da komm’ ich her” and “Gottes Sohn ist ‘kommen” J. S. Bach
“Carillon from L’Arlesienne Suite” Georges Bizet
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “Morning Hymn” Clokey
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Rev. Gregg Neel
Come to the waters, beloved—
where Jesus was immersed in justice,
where God leaned close to us.
We splash in the river of God’s joy.
Come to the waters, beloved—
We watch as Jesus steps into
the muddy mess of our lives.
Come to the waters, beloved—
where the Spirit lifts us
so we can stand side by side
with the broken and forgotten.
We are the beloved. Let us worship God.
*Hymn #409 “God Is Here!” abbot’s leigh
God is here! As we your people
meet to offer praise and prayer,
may we find in fuller measure
what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us,
all our varied skills and arts
wait the coming of the Spirit
into open minds and hearts.
Here are symbols to remind us
of our lifelong need of grace.
Here are table, font, and pulpit;
here the cross has central place.
Here, in honesty of preaching,
here, in silence, as in speech,
here, in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.
Here our children find a welcome
in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
here, as bread and wine are taken,
Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant
seek in worship to explore
what it means in daily living
to believe and to adore.
Lord of all, of Church and kingdom,
in an age of change and doubt,
keep us faithful to the gospel;
help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication,
all we have to give, receive;
we, who cannot live without you,
we adore you! We believe!
*Invitation to Confession Rev. Eileen Parfrey
We cannot be reminded enough that God claims us as beloved children even before we are perfect people. As we remember our baptisms, let us confess those foolish choices which keep us from jumping feet first into that river of grace, where God meets us in the waters of life.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
As we draw near to the waters of baptism, God of Grace, have mercy on us. Whenever we forget who we are, send us to serve the vulnerable. Whenever we forget what we are, challenge us to be more gracious and just. Whenever we forget whose we are, wash us again in that forgiveness deeper than our shallow lives, and fill us with new life in Christ. Amen.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
This is our good news, friends. The Spirit descends upon us, the heavens open, and God speaks – not with judgment, punishment, or condemnation, but with joy, grace, hope, love.
We are God’s beloved children – forgiven, claimed, named, baptized. Thanks be to God. Amen!
*The Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading Matthew 3: 13-17 (NRSV) Rev. Gregg Neel
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children Rev. Lindsey Hubbard-Groves
Anthem “Song of Triumph” Dale Grotenhuis
From Revelation 15: 3-4
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God almighty.
Just and true are all your ways. You, O Lord, over all are King.
Who will not fear you, who will not fear you, O Lord,
and bring great glory, and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy. Alleluia.
All nations shall come and worship before you,
For your mighty and holy acts have been revealed.
Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.
Sermon “Our Response to Baptism” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
A Celebration of the Ministry of Eliz Roser, Director of Children’s Ministries
Graham Ereth and Margaret Price
Sharing Joys & Concerns Rev. Eileen Parfrey
(At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)
Pastoral Prayer and 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.
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
(Text 73256 the word WESTPRESPDX to give using your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply.
If you’re new to Westminster, please let us know by filling out a pink visitor card and dropping it in the offering plate. Thank you.)
Offertory Anthem “I Believe” Mark Miller
Anonymous Jewish poem Annika Bell, solo
I believe in the sun, even when it’s not shining.
I believe in love, even when I don’t feel it.
I believe in God, even when God is silent.
*Doxology – Hymn #606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
*Hymn #475 “Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing” nettleton
Come, thou Fount of every blessing;
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above;
praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of God’s unchanging love!
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
*Postlude “The Posthaste Sortie of the Wise Ones by Another Route” Georges Bizet
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)