Baptism of the Lord
January 12, 2025 | 10:00am
Rev. Jeremy Campbell, Temporary Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship: “God is like the ocean and we’re like that glass of water. We try to sustain life and do all that the source tells us that we are capable of doing, but if we do it alone, we wither away and collapse instead.” - Wayne W. Dyer
GATHERING
Welcome
Prelude Shall We Gather Near to the Heart of God | arr. Hayes
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Amen
Opening Sentences
Holy Triune God, author of community,
come baptize us.
Remind us what it means to belong to one another.
God who tears the heavens, come baptize us.
Reveal to us your power that ushers in new realms.
God who calls us beloved, come baptize us.
Declare to us your great delight and hold us in your pleasure.
God of vulnerability, come baptize us.
Welcome us into the paradox of strength that comes from weakness.
Together, let us remember this day.
In the Creator’s love we are held, into Christ’s body we are baptized,
and by the Spirit’s power, we are claimed. All glory to God. Amen.
Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
God of baptism,
you emptied yourself of privilege
to free us from supremacy.
You were submerged in the depths
so that we would not be alone in them.
You were lifted from the waters
so that all might be lifted up. Amen.
*Hymn of Praise Shall We Gather at the River
Call to Confession
Ever ready with cleansing love, God invites our confession, offering mercy and strength
so that we may start anew.
In the waters of baptism, O God, you have cleansed us and claimed us.
Forgive us for refusing your grace and rejecting your name.
We have followed our own paths, and they have led us far from you.
Help us to live into our baptisms, to trust that all we need is in you,
for you have marked us as your own, loving us without limit.
Wash us with your love again, that with clean hearts
we may go in the way of Jesus.
The love of God flows ceaselessly.
The mercy of God never ends.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
The Law of God:
*Gloria Patri | #579
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
THE WORD OF GOD
Prayer for Illumination
Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
*Hymn: Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice
Second Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Sermon: “Passing Through the Waters” | Rev. Campbell
Silent Reflection
THE RESPONSE TO GOD
*Affirmation of Faith (Apostles’ Creed)
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Offering There is a Promise, God has Said | Huffman
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with 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, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn Baptized in Water
Benediction
Congregational Response
Live into hope of captives freed,
Of sight regained, the end of greed.
The oppressed shall be the first to see
The year of God's own jubilee!
Live into hope the blind shall see
With insight and with clarity,
Removing shades of pride and fear-
A vision of our God brought near.
Live into hope of liberty,
The right to speak the right to be,
The right to have one's daily bread,
To hear God's word and thus be fed.
Live into hope of captives freed
From chains of fear or want or greed.
God now proclaims our full release
To faith and hope and joy and peace.
Postlude Toccata | Young
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED