The Baptism Of Our Lord
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series IV, Cycle B
Call To Worship
This one is based on Genesis 1.
Leader:
In the beginning God created heaven and earth.
People:
The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.
Leader:
And God said, "Let there be light,"
People:
And there was light.
Leader:
And God saw that the light was good.
People:
Very good.
Leader:
And God said, "Let there be a sky."
People:
So God made a sky.
Leader:
And then the dry ground was made, continents and islands.
People:
And it was good.
Leader:
Then God said, "Let the land produce trees and flowers and all sorts of growing things."
People:
And beauty filled the planet.
Leader:
And it was good.
People:
Very good.
Leader:
Then came sun, moon, and stars,
People:
The shimmering living things that fill the seas,
Leader:
The feathery beauties of the air,
People:
The dazzling array of animals walking the earth,
Leader:
And finally,
People:
Finally,
Leader:
Us! Men and women made in the image of God.
People:
God is greatly to be praised for the glory of creation.
Leader:
Let us praise God!
Here is another Call To Worship that praises creation in a slightly more scientific way.
Leader:
Single cells more complex than any human-made machine;
People:
Fashioned by our Father.
Leader:
A system that turns sunlight into energy and life: Photosynthesis;
People:
Made by a magnificent and mighty God.
Leader:
Oxygen supplied to every cell in the body by the most intricate delivery: a circulatory system;
People:
Dreamed up by the divine designer.
Leader:
Two tiny cells that come together and magically transform into organs and arms and eyes and skin;
People:
Conceived by the Creator of the cosmos.
Leader:
A universe vaster than we can imagine,
People:
But a God who is even bigger.
Leader:
This is Yahweh.
People:
The one who brings life into being.
Leader:
Elohim.
People:
The Almighty.
Leader:
El Roi.
People:
The God who sees and knows all.
Leader:
Jehovah Jireh.
People:
The one who provides all we need.
Leader:
This is the God we worship.
People:
Let us praise God!
Psalm 29 is the basis for this Call To Worship. Use it responsively as provided below, or just read it aloud as a proclamation to the people of God, and follow it with a hymn of praise!
Leader:
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
People:
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.
Leader:
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
People:
The God of glory thunders,
Leader:
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
People:
The voice of the Lord is majestic;
Leader:
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
People:
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning;
Leader:
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
People:
The voice of the Lord twists the mighty oaks.
Leader:
In God's presence all cry, "Glory!"
People:
Glory to the Lord Most High!
Prayer Of Confession
Drawing on the theme of hearing the voice of God, the following two confessions acknowledge that we often turn a deaf ear to that voice.
Leader:
Join with me in the Prayer Of Confession.
All:
How can we not hear this God-Voice that thunders and crashes;
That twists and shakes into the very heart of creation?
How can we not hear the God-Voice to Jesus saying,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased"?
O God, you speak and we don't recognize your voice.
You speak and we don't listen.
You speak and we don't believe.
You speak and we don't respond.
Forgive us, Father, for failing to hear and failing to heed your voice.
Open our ears and let us hear. Amen.
Number 2
Leader:
Eternal word, in the beginning you spoke,
People:
And the world came into being.
Leader:
When your people turned a deaf ear to you,
People:
You spoke through prophets,
Leader:
Proclaiming justice and correction
People:
And mercy.
Leader:
When that failed you came yourself,
People:
Speaking of the way,
Leader:
And the truth,
People:
And the life.
Leader:
Your word, O Lord, is life.
People:
But our words are often life-takers.
Leader:
Our speech is insensitive and discouraging.
People:
When we should speak,
Leader:
We often remain silent,
People:
Failing our calling in Christ.
Leader:
Gracious God,
People:
Forgive our phony flattery,
Leader:
Our ungracious gossip,
People:
Our negative battering,
Leader:
And instead -- put your words on our tongues,
People:
That we might speak truth in love.
Finally, a prayer that addresses what is often a problem in the hearts of Christians and the collective hearts of a church family, a lack of the fire of the Spirit of God.
Introduction to the prayer:
In our Gospel Reading for this morning John the Baptist tells the crowds that Jesus will baptize them, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is passion, and power, and fire! Don't you sometimes wonder: Where is the fire in the church today? Let us come before our God in prayer, seeking the fire.
Let us pray: God who made us; Christ who saved us; Spirit who sustains us; where is our fire today? Why do we seem so powerless to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh, the temptations of the deceiver, the lure of the world? Are we like those of whom Jesus spoke when he said there would be many in the days to come who held to a form of religion but had not the power of it?
We long for the fire. We ache for the power. Reveal to us the barriers blocking our way to the fire, that we might begin to find our way around them and into the wonderful warming presence of your Spirit.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
Since this Sunday we are desperately trying to get people to hear and heed the voice of God, you may want to try something dramatic. A trumpet blast from a hidden part of the sanctuary would certainly get people's attention before you announce the good news of forgiveness. And since the whole of the Christian life begins with truly understanding God's gracious forgiveness, announce it boldly. Try something like this:
Trumpet blast!
(Say these words powerfully -- shouting almost) Hear these words of our King whose hands hold our eternal destiny.
(Now speak in a quiet voice) I love you with all my heart. I forgive you every sin and shortcoming. Come to me and find all the treasures of the abundant life I have planned for you.
Prayer Of Dedication
Leader:
Scripture makes it clear that God has blessed us that we might be a blessing to others.
People:
Lord, set our spirits ablaze with this truth;
Leader:
That we might overflow with generosity.
People:
And then use our gifts
Leader:
To bless others
People:
As you have blessed us.
Leader:
Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
First option.
Heavenly Father, in our world words are cheap. Even these words of scripture can fall meaningless on our ears if you do not anoint them. So, as we read, speak, and sing these words this morning, we ask you to speed them to our hearts that they might take root and grow in us. Amen.
Second option.
Leader:
The world clamors:
People:
Buy this!
Leader:
Get more!
People:
You can't live without it!
Leader:
Don't deny yourself!
People:
Accumulate!
Leader:
Now!
People:
Horde!
Leader:
For yourself!
People:
Me first!
Leader:
And the Word of the Lord;
People:
The still, small voice
Leader:
Can get completely drowned out.
People:
O God who made our ears,
Leader:
Tune us now
People:
To your frequency
Leader:
That we may hear the truth.
People:
Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
If your Pastoral Prayer is based on the prayer concerns of your congregation, a prayer in this style will enable you to pray your way into addressing their concerns.
Let us pray: Too often we fail to bring our concerns to you, O Lord, thinking that you don't care about our little problems. After all, you are the almighty God of the universe. You are the Creator of heaven and earth. What are we that you should care for us? And yet, you do! You do care for us.
Show your compassion today, Father, by touching the hearts, spirits, and bodies of those we lift up before you on the hands of our prayers.
Hear now our prayers for ...
If you are looking for a prayer that addresses the issues of today's lessons, you can adapt the final Prayer Of Confession above for such use.
Benediction
From Psalm 29:10-11.
The Lord is enthroned as king forever. The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses his people with peace. Go now in strength and peace. Amen.
Hymns
Behold A Sower! From Afar
Father Of Mercies, In Thy Word
God, Who In Various Methods Told
How Blest Are Those Who Hear God's Word
Jesus Shall Reign
Let Children Hear The Mighty Deeds
Lord, I Have Made Thy Word My Choice
Lord, Pour Thy Spirit From On High
Master Speak! Thy Servant Heareth
My People, Give Ear
O Shepherd Of The Sheep
Praise To The Heavenly Wisdom
Savior, Again To Thy Dear Name
Speak O Lord, Thy Servant Heareth
Thou, Who Didst Call Thy Servants Of Old
Voice Of God's Creation Found Me, The
Contemporary Choruses
Above All, Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc
Draw Me Close, Kelly Carpenter
Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Paul Baloche
Shine, Jesus, Shine, Graham Kendrick
There Is None Like You, Lenny LeBlanc
We Want To See Jesus Lifted High, Doug Horley
Other Music
Baptize Me, Jaci Valasquez
Valasquez asks God to cleanse her.
My Life Is In Your Hands, Kathy Troccoli
This one is based on Genesis 1.
Leader:
In the beginning God created heaven and earth.
People:
The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.
Leader:
And God said, "Let there be light,"
People:
And there was light.
Leader:
And God saw that the light was good.
People:
Very good.
Leader:
And God said, "Let there be a sky."
People:
So God made a sky.
Leader:
And then the dry ground was made, continents and islands.
People:
And it was good.
Leader:
Then God said, "Let the land produce trees and flowers and all sorts of growing things."
People:
And beauty filled the planet.
Leader:
And it was good.
People:
Very good.
Leader:
Then came sun, moon, and stars,
People:
The shimmering living things that fill the seas,
Leader:
The feathery beauties of the air,
People:
The dazzling array of animals walking the earth,
Leader:
And finally,
People:
Finally,
Leader:
Us! Men and women made in the image of God.
People:
God is greatly to be praised for the glory of creation.
Leader:
Let us praise God!
Here is another Call To Worship that praises creation in a slightly more scientific way.
Leader:
Single cells more complex than any human-made machine;
People:
Fashioned by our Father.
Leader:
A system that turns sunlight into energy and life: Photosynthesis;
People:
Made by a magnificent and mighty God.
Leader:
Oxygen supplied to every cell in the body by the most intricate delivery: a circulatory system;
People:
Dreamed up by the divine designer.
Leader:
Two tiny cells that come together and magically transform into organs and arms and eyes and skin;
People:
Conceived by the Creator of the cosmos.
Leader:
A universe vaster than we can imagine,
People:
But a God who is even bigger.
Leader:
This is Yahweh.
People:
The one who brings life into being.
Leader:
Elohim.
People:
The Almighty.
Leader:
El Roi.
People:
The God who sees and knows all.
Leader:
Jehovah Jireh.
People:
The one who provides all we need.
Leader:
This is the God we worship.
People:
Let us praise God!
Psalm 29 is the basis for this Call To Worship. Use it responsively as provided below, or just read it aloud as a proclamation to the people of God, and follow it with a hymn of praise!
Leader:
Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
People:
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name.
Leader:
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
People:
The God of glory thunders,
Leader:
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
People:
The voice of the Lord is majestic;
Leader:
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
People:
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning;
Leader:
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
People:
The voice of the Lord twists the mighty oaks.
Leader:
In God's presence all cry, "Glory!"
People:
Glory to the Lord Most High!
Prayer Of Confession
Drawing on the theme of hearing the voice of God, the following two confessions acknowledge that we often turn a deaf ear to that voice.
Leader:
Join with me in the Prayer Of Confession.
All:
How can we not hear this God-Voice that thunders and crashes;
That twists and shakes into the very heart of creation?
How can we not hear the God-Voice to Jesus saying,
"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased"?
O God, you speak and we don't recognize your voice.
You speak and we don't listen.
You speak and we don't believe.
You speak and we don't respond.
Forgive us, Father, for failing to hear and failing to heed your voice.
Open our ears and let us hear. Amen.
Number 2
Leader:
Eternal word, in the beginning you spoke,
People:
And the world came into being.
Leader:
When your people turned a deaf ear to you,
People:
You spoke through prophets,
Leader:
Proclaiming justice and correction
People:
And mercy.
Leader:
When that failed you came yourself,
People:
Speaking of the way,
Leader:
And the truth,
People:
And the life.
Leader:
Your word, O Lord, is life.
People:
But our words are often life-takers.
Leader:
Our speech is insensitive and discouraging.
People:
When we should speak,
Leader:
We often remain silent,
People:
Failing our calling in Christ.
Leader:
Gracious God,
People:
Forgive our phony flattery,
Leader:
Our ungracious gossip,
People:
Our negative battering,
Leader:
And instead -- put your words on our tongues,
People:
That we might speak truth in love.
Finally, a prayer that addresses what is often a problem in the hearts of Christians and the collective hearts of a church family, a lack of the fire of the Spirit of God.
Introduction to the prayer:
In our Gospel Reading for this morning John the Baptist tells the crowds that Jesus will baptize them, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is passion, and power, and fire! Don't you sometimes wonder: Where is the fire in the church today? Let us come before our God in prayer, seeking the fire.
Let us pray: God who made us; Christ who saved us; Spirit who sustains us; where is our fire today? Why do we seem so powerless to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh, the temptations of the deceiver, the lure of the world? Are we like those of whom Jesus spoke when he said there would be many in the days to come who held to a form of religion but had not the power of it?
We long for the fire. We ache for the power. Reveal to us the barriers blocking our way to the fire, that we might begin to find our way around them and into the wonderful warming presence of your Spirit.
This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Assurance Of Pardon
Since this Sunday we are desperately trying to get people to hear and heed the voice of God, you may want to try something dramatic. A trumpet blast from a hidden part of the sanctuary would certainly get people's attention before you announce the good news of forgiveness. And since the whole of the Christian life begins with truly understanding God's gracious forgiveness, announce it boldly. Try something like this:
Trumpet blast!
(Say these words powerfully -- shouting almost) Hear these words of our King whose hands hold our eternal destiny.
(Now speak in a quiet voice) I love you with all my heart. I forgive you every sin and shortcoming. Come to me and find all the treasures of the abundant life I have planned for you.
Prayer Of Dedication
Leader:
Scripture makes it clear that God has blessed us that we might be a blessing to others.
People:
Lord, set our spirits ablaze with this truth;
Leader:
That we might overflow with generosity.
People:
And then use our gifts
Leader:
To bless others
People:
As you have blessed us.
Leader:
Amen.
Prayer For Illumination
First option.
Heavenly Father, in our world words are cheap. Even these words of scripture can fall meaningless on our ears if you do not anoint them. So, as we read, speak, and sing these words this morning, we ask you to speed them to our hearts that they might take root and grow in us. Amen.
Second option.
Leader:
The world clamors:
People:
Buy this!
Leader:
Get more!
People:
You can't live without it!
Leader:
Don't deny yourself!
People:
Accumulate!
Leader:
Now!
People:
Horde!
Leader:
For yourself!
People:
Me first!
Leader:
And the Word of the Lord;
People:
The still, small voice
Leader:
Can get completely drowned out.
People:
O God who made our ears,
Leader:
Tune us now
People:
To your frequency
Leader:
That we may hear the truth.
People:
Amen.
Pastoral Prayer
If your Pastoral Prayer is based on the prayer concerns of your congregation, a prayer in this style will enable you to pray your way into addressing their concerns.
Let us pray: Too often we fail to bring our concerns to you, O Lord, thinking that you don't care about our little problems. After all, you are the almighty God of the universe. You are the Creator of heaven and earth. What are we that you should care for us? And yet, you do! You do care for us.
Show your compassion today, Father, by touching the hearts, spirits, and bodies of those we lift up before you on the hands of our prayers.
Hear now our prayers for ...
If you are looking for a prayer that addresses the issues of today's lessons, you can adapt the final Prayer Of Confession above for such use.
Benediction
From Psalm 29:10-11.
The Lord is enthroned as king forever. The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses his people with peace. Go now in strength and peace. Amen.
Hymns
Behold A Sower! From Afar
Father Of Mercies, In Thy Word
God, Who In Various Methods Told
How Blest Are Those Who Hear God's Word
Jesus Shall Reign
Let Children Hear The Mighty Deeds
Lord, I Have Made Thy Word My Choice
Lord, Pour Thy Spirit From On High
Master Speak! Thy Servant Heareth
My People, Give Ear
O Shepherd Of The Sheep
Praise To The Heavenly Wisdom
Savior, Again To Thy Dear Name
Speak O Lord, Thy Servant Heareth
Thou, Who Didst Call Thy Servants Of Old
Voice Of God's Creation Found Me, The
Contemporary Choruses
Above All, Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc
Draw Me Close, Kelly Carpenter
Open The Eyes Of My Heart, Paul Baloche
Shine, Jesus, Shine, Graham Kendrick
There Is None Like You, Lenny LeBlanc
We Want To See Jesus Lifted High, Doug Horley
Other Music
Baptize Me, Jaci Valasquez
Valasquez asks God to cleanse her.
My Life Is In Your Hands, Kathy Troccoli
