You Are Mine

You Are Mine is our worship theme for the Baptism of Christ Sunday, January 13, 2013. Our focus scriptures are Isaiah 43:1-7 and Luke 3:15-22.

Hearing God say, “Do not be afraid, you are mine,” is really the foundation of the ministry to which Christ calls all his followers. “If any want to follow me,” Jesus says, “let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” Scary stuff. We’d much rather just stay home, eat drink and be merry, and keep our noses out of trouble. But if we do, then the world will just keep rolling along toward the terrible destiny of more violence, more greed, and more suffering for the next generations.

Throughout human history God has called believers and given them strength and courage beyond what we could ever expect. God’s promises are summarized so nicely in our passage from Isaiah: “Do not be afraid for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you pass through deep rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned. … You are precious in my sight and I love you. … I will bring you home.” With these promises we can live as citizens of heaven even as we live as citizens of earth. With these promises we can do Christ’s ministry.

Here is the complete liturgy we will use this Sunday as well as an opening liturgy based on Psalm 29. Please use or adapt anything that is helpful to you.

We Gather to Worship on Baptism of Christ Sunday

Our Worship Theme Is: You Are Mine

Music for a Time of Reflection

Thought for Meditation

God speaks, through Isaiah, to the people: “Do not be afraid, you are mine.”

At his baptism, Jesus hears God say to him, “You are my beloved Son.”

Overwhelmed by death threats, Dr. King hears God say, “Do not be afraid, you are mine.” To each of us, in all circumstances, God says, “Do not be afraid. You are precious to me. I love you. You are mine.”

Welcome and Opportunities in the Life of the Church

Prelude 

                                       

We Praise God

**Processional Hymn  #182   “What Was Your Vow and Vision?”                             

                                                                                                             Genevan

**Call to Worship    from Isaiah 43:1-7

L: God says: “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you.

     I have called you by name. You are mine.

P: When you cross deep rivers, you will not drown.

     When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned.

L: For I am your God, the Holy One, your Savior.

     You are precious in my sight and I love you.

P: So do not fear, for I am with you.

    No matter where you are scattered, I will bring you home.

All: I created you for my glory. I made each one of you. You are mine.”

        Thanks be to God! Let us worship God.

                                                                                               Please be seated.

We Turn Our Hearts to God in Prayer

A Litany for the Celebration of Dr. King’s Birthday

L:  As we celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., let us recall his words:

P: Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

L:  We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools.

P: We will have to repent not only for the hateful words and actions of bad people, but for the appalling silence of good people.

L:  If a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.

P: Love is the only force that can change an enemy into a friend.

L:  Humans must meet human conflict with a method that rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.

P: I refuse to believe that humanity is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war, that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.

L:  I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.

P: I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

All: As we reflect on these words let us, with Dr. King, affirm our faith in the saving love of Almighty God!

Pastoral Prayer and 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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

We Hear and Reflect on God’s Living Word

Bible Reading                         Luke 3:15-22       Christian Scriptures, Pg. 60        

**Sermon Hymn      “Beloved Child, Beloved Community”       See Insert          

                 

Sermon                                 “You Are Mine”

We Dedicate Our Gifts and Lives to God

Call to Stewardship

                                                                   

Offertory                

Unison Prayer of Dedication

          Life-giving God, we praise you this morning for your unbreakable love. You call each of us by name. You claim us as your own. May the strength of your love that shines in the ministry of Jesus, and of Dr. King, empower us as well. May all our actions, words and gifts create Christ’s love, justice and peace. In his powerful name we pray. Amen.

         

We Renew Our Baptismal Vows

Introduction

Litany

L:  In the beginning, God’s Spirit hovered over the face of chaotic waters and birthed the universe.

P: At the Red Sea God led the people through the waters of death and birthed a new nation.

L:  In the wilderness God gave life to the people with water from the rock.

P: In the waters of Mary’s womb God’s Spirit birthed a Savior.

L:  From the waters of the Jordan God’s Spirit raised up the Messiah.

P: On the Sea of Galilee Jesus walked upon the water.

L:  To a woman at a well Jesus promised living water.

All: And in our baptisms, God’s Spirit births new creations!

Under the water of baptism our old selves are drowned.

       Up from the waters of baptism our new selves are born.

       Praise God!

Reaffirmation of Faith        UCC Statement of Faith   (inside back cover)

We Come to the Font           “You Are Mine”              Song by David Haas

                                                                                          Video by (unchosen)

Closing Prayer

We Go Forth To Do Christ’s Ministry

**Recessional Hymn #515          “Out of Deep, Unordered Water”                   

                                                                                                         Balgemann

**Benediction   

Postlude  

Opening liturgy for Baptism of Christ Sunday

Introit                                “Wade in the Water”                         Traditional   

Soloist sings chorus first; then the Chancel Choir; Cong. stands and joins 3^rd time

Wade in the water. Wade in the water, children.

Wade in the water. The Lord’s gonna trouble the water.

**Call to Worship   (from Psalm 29)

L:  Angels shout, “Hallelujah!”

P: Earth replies, “Hallelujah!”

L:  Let all stand in awe before the glory of God!

P: God thunders across the waters,

God’s voice echoes over the floods.

L:  God’s voice is powerful, majestic.

P: God thunders, the cedars reel.

L:  God thunders, the mountains quake.

P: God thunders, lightning rains.

L:  God thunders, the desert shakes.

P: Let all God’s people say, “Glory!”

L: God’s throne is above the waters, God’s rule is eternal.

All: God makes us strong! God gives us peace!

       Hallelujah! Let us worship God.

**Hymn of Praise #392        “O Holy Dove of God Descending”         Lois

                                                                                                Please be seated.