Bulletin – Sunday, January 11, 2026 – The Baptism of Jesus / Communion
Sunday, January 11, 2026
The Baptism of Jesus / Communion
We Gather as People of Faith
Welcome
Presentation
Lighting the Christ Candle
John the Baptist prepared the WAY for the Lord. Baptizing him in the Jordan River with God’s sacred waters. The light of this candle symbolizes the warmth of Christ in our hearts. By this light of Christ, we are guided on the path of what is good and God given. So that as we begin this year anew, we too can act justly and love mercy, And walk humbly with God, our Creator. Lead us God, all the days of our lives in new unexpected ways.
Minute Person
Announcements
Call to Worship
One: What a gift when we come and gather in this place that our minds and hearts are warmed by the power of the spirit moving among us.
All: As we look toward a new year, we come to reunited with God and with one another. As we open our hearts to transformation, we come to be reminded of our goodness in relationship with God.
One: Through prayer, silence, scripture and the breaking of bread, like running waters God’s wisdom is poured our upon us that we can follow the Way of Jesus with open welcoming hearts.
All: As the body of Christ for the world, we come to be nurtured. Let us join our voices as one, to worship God our Creator, and the risen Christ among us.
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” (Voices United #378, verses 1, 2, and 4)
Spirit of God, descent upon my heart:
Wean it from earth, thro’ all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart,
And make me love you as I ought to love.
I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies,
But take the dimness of my soul away.
Teach me to love you as your angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame,
The baptism of the heaven-descended dove,
My heart an altar and your love the flame.
Prayer of Approach and Confession
O God, the very source of our being. We are grateful that you are always with us. We know the path we take and the choices we make are not always the ones you are calling us to. Through the business of our minds, and the troubles of our hearts we sometimes cannot see your way. Be close to us, rest in our very bodies, that we may be transformed and turned toward you and rest with you, our guide and our comfort.
Words of Assurance
God who lives in us and through us like running waters. Nurture us this day that we are renewed in life and love. Through your grace, help us to feel and see the wonders of your presence here among us. O Life-giving God, guide us, heal us, be ever so close within our very beings that we can know how to give of our entire selves to you in the service of ourselves and others. Amen.
Sung Response – “Bathe Me in Your Light” (More Voices #82 verse 1)
Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator,
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.
We Hear God’s Word
Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-38; 41-43
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears [trust] him [God] and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Gospel Reading: Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Down by the Jordan” (tune – Voices United #220)
Down by the Jordan, a prophet named John was baptizing,
Preaching a message the people found bold and surprising:
“God will forgive! Show that you’ll change how you live!
Surely God’s new day is rising!”
There by the river, the crowd came with great expectation:
“Are you God’s Chosen One, sent there to rescue our nation?”
“No!” John replied. “He who is mightier than I
Judges and offers salvation.”
Jesus, you went to be baptized along with the others,
Taking your place among sinners, God’s lost sons and daughters.
Then with great love, God’s Spirit came as a dove!
Your work began in the waters.
Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God’s Spirit.
Freed and forgiven, we’re welcomed with joy! Can you hear it?
This is God’s sign! This is how God says, “You’re mine!”
Let’s take the good news and share it!
Sermon
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “In the Darkness Shines the Splendour” (Voices United #92)
In the darkness shines the splendour of the Word who took our flesh,
Welcoming, in love’s surrender, death’s dark shadow at his creche.
Bearing every human story, Word made flesh reveals his glory.
Light of nations, veiled in history, born of woman’s flesh and blood,
Calling to the depths of mystery restless hearts that seek the good.
Healing every human story, Word made flesh reveals his glory.
Broken bread, sustaining us in sorrow, wine poured out to toast our joy;
Exodus and new tomorrow, life’ full promise to enjoy!
Gladdening every human story, Word made flesh reveals his gory.
All God’s people, sing in jubilation of the birth that sets us free,
Telling of the revelation: Jesus, God’s epiphany.
Celebrate the human story! Word made flesh reveals our glory.
Communion
One: We gather here to be in communion with you O Creator God embodied in your son, who was baptized in the River Jordan, and lived and died for to bring mercy and justice to all of humanity. He is now present to all your creation as the risen Christ.
All: We come because we have been called to live out with you a story of saving love that was shown to us in the life and death of Jesus. A love continuously ours through the outpouring of the spirit of God in Christ present for all of us for all eternity.
One: This story began in the heart of the Creator before even before we came into being.
All: It was whispered before time began. It was sung in the melody of Creation.
One: This story hums always in the rivers and through the rustling of the trees. It whispers in the skies and groans through the tumbling waves of the seas. It calls to all people in all places. It speaks in our hearts, and in our lives.
All: This story of love and God’s never-ending care calls out our names through all of Creation. This story claims our lives through the Cross. This story shapes our future through the Spirit. We are witnesses to this story in this time and this place.
One: But at times, we turn away from God and the telling of God’s story. So, God sent prophets, sages and singers, to call us back. When we needed to be reminded, God sent Jesus to live among us and show us the way, through loving sacrifice, and ferocious convictions of mercy and justice.
All: Through God’s assurance and mercy, we are called back into communion again with God. Through the breaking of bread, and the pouring of wine, in God’s witness, we await the sharing of God’s self with us.
One: Hear now all the storytellers of all ages whisper with us as we sing:
All: Holy, holy, holy
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full of your glory
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed in the One who comes in the name, comes in the name of our God
Blessed in the One who comes in the name, comes in the name of our God
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
One: The Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his friends.
One: He offered generously the bread of life saying to his friends and disciples: “This is my body which is broken for you whenever you eat this bread remember me.”
One: In the same way, with a broken heart filled with love for all of humanity, he took the cup and said, “This is a new covenant. Drink it and remember me.” This is our common story, our deep memory, our true destiny together.
All: So let it also be our story. Let’s celebrate the way that God’s grace has shaped our lives.
One: Therefore we proclaim in song the mystery of our faith.
All: Christ has died.
Christ has risen.
Christ will come again.
One: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us here, so this everyday meal becomes an eternal feast, so that our eating and drinking today unites us with Christ, whose body and blood are given for us. Through this sharing of this meal, we know that you live in us and that we live in you, so that we live in your world knowing it is indeed yours. Living God, this is our prayer. Amen.
All: Amen, amen, amen.
One: The table has been prepared, all things are now ready, everyone is welcome to come to God’s table.
Post Communion Prayer
Blessed by you, O ever present God who brings us wholeness with shared boy of blessing and cup of goodness. We remember the great sacrifice of love, given to us through Jesus in the sharing of this bread and wine of life, we come into communion with the risen Christ and you O Creator. We drink and eat in thanksgiving with humility our hearts are open to your transforming presence with us.
The New Creed
One: Please join together as one voice in praying the New Creed to Our God and Creator.
All: We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
We Respond to God’s Word
Invitation to Share
Offering Sung Response – “In Gratitude and Humble Trust” (Voices United #544)
In gratitude and humble trust
We bring our best today
To serve your cause and share your love
With all along life’s way.
O God, who gave yourself to us
In Jesus Christ, your Son,
Teach us to give ourselves each day
Until life’s work is done.
Offering Prayer
As the Body of Christ here on earth nurtured by your words and wisdom in communion now with you. O God of love, embodied in us we ask that you bless these gifts we pour our in the care of our church and of others.
Prayers of the People
Invitation to the Passing of the Peace
The Prayer that Jesus Taught
One: Please join me in praying the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: Our Creator who is like…
All: Our Mother and 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 trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 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 and ever. Amen.
We Go Into God’s World
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “I Have Called You by Your Name” (More Voices #161)
I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you; all my promises are true.
You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.
I will help you learn my name as you go;
Read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim,
Offer Jesus’ body given long ago.
I know you will need my touch as you go;
Feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Life the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,
Hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.
I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sing.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
Go and tell my precious people they are mine.
Commissioning
We go from here as a people whose hunger and thirst have been fed at the table of blessing to live with respect in creation, to remember that we are never alone, to live those beliefs in all that we do.
Benediction
As a Baptized people, in loving relationship with God like the flowing rivers of life, let us follow God’s call to new and challenging places. May our path be made clear through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts comforted by the spirit of the risen Christ who abides with us that we may go out into the world this week to love and serve God by loving and caring for ourselves and others. Amen.
Sung Response – “O Radiant Christ, Incarnate Word” (Voices United #84, verse 3)
Your glory shone at Jordan’s stream,
The font where we were born anew.
Attune your church to know you near;
Illumine all we say and do.
