Veradale United Church of Christ
An Open & Affirming Congregation
Worshiping God in Christ – Welcoming All – Working for Justice & Peace
“No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!”
January 15, 2023 • 10:30 a.m.
______________________________
10:20am Gathering and Prelude
Wayne Shull, Music Director
Charlie Salt, AV
Joe McSwain, AV
Naomi Hanvey, Zoom App Assistance
Scotty Patton, Zoom Monitor
Becky Knapp, Scripture Reader
Rev. Genavieve Heywood, Pastor
10:30am Worship begins
God welcomes us. . . all the time! All the time . . . God welcomes us!
Welcoming the Light Christ
Hymn: “Wade in the Water”
Public Domain
Refrain: Wade in the water, wade in the water, children, Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water.
1 See that host all dressed in white, God’s gonna trouble the water. The leader looks like the Israelite, God’s gonna trouble the water. [Refrain]
2 See that band all dressed in red, God’s gonna trouble the water. Looks like the band that Moses led, God’s gonna trouble the water. [Refrain]
3 Look over yonder, what do I see? God’s gonna trouble the water. the Holy Ghost a comin' on me, God’s gonna trouble the water. [Refrain]
4 If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed, God’s gonna trouble the water. Just follow me down to Jordan’s stream, God’s gonna trouble the water. [Refrain]
Community Prayer
Spoken Prayer
Silent Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Response: Hymn: “As the Deer” verse 1
CCLI license #11038266
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee
You alone are my Strength, my Shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee.
A Time of Offering
An Invitation to Share
How do they do that? The Treasurer, Diane Smith shares how this is done.
Dedication Come into His Presence
CCLI license #11038266
Come into his presence with thanksgiving in your heart and give him praise, and give him praise.
Come into his presence with thanksgiving in your heart, your voices raise, your voices raise. Give glory and honor and power unto him, Jesus, the name above all names!
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Beloved God, pour out your blessing and renew our lives. May these small tokens of our time, talent, and treasure be blessed to fulfill your vision of a day when justice and peace reign over all creation. Amen
Listening for God
Message to Young Hearts
Why do we share baptism with children?
Gospel of John 1:29-42
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him (John the Baptist) and declared, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Chosen One.”
The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated Anointed). He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
Message: Baptism Revelation
Silence
Announcements
Our Light moves into the World God Loves
Hymn: “I was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” 315 (NCH)
John Ylvisaker, 1985
I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold. I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well; I’ll be there in case you wandered off to find where demons dwell.
When you found the wonder of the Word I was there to cheer you on; You were raised to praise the living God, I was there to cheer you on; You were raised to praise the living God, to whom you now belong. Should you find someone to share your time, and you join your hearts as one, I’ll be there to make your verse rhyme from dusk till rising sun.
In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young, I'll be there to guide you through the night, complete what I've begun. When the evening gently closes in, and you shut your weary eyes, I'll be there as I have always been, with just one more surprise.
I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old. I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.
Benediction and Silent Reflection
Postlude