Sunday, January 20, 2019
Second Sunday after Epiphany
For Meditation and Reflection:
“Though it’s a familiar story to modern-day Christians, in many ways it might have made little sense to the early church. Why would Jesus need to be baptized? If anything, shouldn’t the Son of God be doing the baptizing?
For the early church, eager to proclaim Jesus’s divinity to the world, the story would obviously have proved problematic. Reading backward, then, we can see that the evangelists seemed to be stuck with an event that would have been hard to explain to newcomers. There is little chance that they would have consciously made up something like this. In addition, the story is included in all three Synoptic Gospels and referred to in John, so it needs to be taken seriously.”
~James Martin, SJ, Jesus, A Pilgrimage
Welcome and Announcements
Opening Prayer (Pastor)
Responsive Call to Worship (Traditional Monastic Liturgy)
Pastor: We wait for the word of the Lord as we wait for the rains.
People: and our God shall come down upon us like gentle dew.
Pastor: The hills and the mountains will be singing praise to God.
People: Every tree in the forest will be clapping its hands.
The Lord will come and rule for ever. Alleluia.
Opening Hymn #32, God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale
Prayer for Illumination (Pastor)
Today’s Scripture Reading: Mark 1:4-11
Sermon: “Baptism” (Mike Lyle)
The Offerings and Offertory Music
A Litany of Thanksgiving:
Pastor: All things come from you, O God, and with gratitude we return to you what is yours. All that we are, and all that we have, is your gift to us.
People: And so, in gratitude for all your gifts, we offer ourselves, and all that we have. By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world.
All: Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn #18, Guide Me, O My Great Redeemer
Joys and Concerns
Prayers of the Pastor and the People
The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional, with “debts”)
Closing Hymn #25, O God, Our Help in Ages Past
Prayer of Benediction: (Pastor)
Go forward in the comfort and strength of God’s blessing. Remember that you are loved, that God is ever near, and that divine mercy is your way in the world. Amen.
Sharing the Peace as we go… And we hope you can join us for post-worship coffee and conversation in Fellowship Hall.
Rev. Lyle is happy to stay following the service to talk about questions, concerns or thoughts you may have about today’s worship.
Thoughts for the Day/Week
Jesus was probably baptized near a site about eight miles north of the Dead Sea on the east bank of the Jordan. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but the river there is diminished, polluted and “shrunk to a miserable stream barely 3 m. wide” (Jerome Murphy-O’Connor, The Holy Land). A very touristy site is maintained far to the north of the original baptismal site, in one of the few places on the Jordan where water still flows. Those willing to pay a fee and queue up with others, can be baptized there. Thankfully, the holy mystery of baptism is a spiritual matter uncontrolled by location, volume of water, influence or profit. ~Rev. Michael Lyle
ANNOUNCEMENTS
This Sunday, Jan 20th: 10am Adult Sunday School
11am Worship with Rev. Michael Lyle
Next Sunday, Jan 27th: Worship with Rev. M. Michael Morse
Sunday, Feb 3rd: Worship with Rev. Samantha Tuttle
Music Update: Sea Raven Morse has graciously agreed to play for us two Sundays a month. Thank you, Sea Raven!
Luncheon Invitation: The pleasure of you company is requested! Sunday, Feb 24th from 1 – 2:30pm, St. James will host a Loudoun Interfaith Bridges Lunch and Learn for guests of all faiths.
To volunteer for this event, please talk to/text Lauranne 703-346-3071 or Tena Brass 571-271-8611.
Childcare during services while the Fellowship Hall is under repair is available in the “cry room” at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you to Katie and Greta for your gracious care of the children.
Lovettsville Food Bank Donations: Please bring non-perishable food items to church. Thank you, Tena Brass, for taking our donations.
Statement of Faith: We gather as an Open and Affirming community to worship God, however known. We welcome everyone, no exceptions. Together we seek spiritual comfort and challenge, learn from ancient and modern texts, and seek new dimensions of truth. We practice following the way of Jesus. We dare to demonstrate God’s love by working for justice and peace among all people.
Cover art: The Baptism of Jesus http://www.christtheking.notts.sch.uk