Order of Worship
Sunday, Epiphany 3, January 22, 2012
Celebrating the
Sacrament of Baptism
Worshipping Today at Brigus United
***********
GATHERING
AND PRAISE
MUSICAL PRELUDE (Please stand for those who are able)
CHORAL
INTROIT BCG Senior Choir
WORDS
OF WELCOME AND CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm
36:6-9)
One: Spirit of God moving
over the waters, bringing light where there was only darkness;
All: Holy
Spirit, move among us, change us, enlighten us.
One: Spirit of God, there at the baptism of
Jesus, claiming, anointing, speaking loving words;
All: Holy
Spirit, touch us, enthuse us, claim us.
One: Spirit of God, calling disciples in days of old and today to
follow Jesus the way, the truth and the life;
All: Holy
Spirit, meet us, convince us, inspire us.
HYMN
of PRAISE Voices United: #405: “New Every Morning”
PRAYER
OF APPROACH (Unison)
Thank you, O God,
for calling us into your church to be your people. We have gathered, God of
grace and wisdom, because we have heard your call. You have reached out to us
in Jesus Christ, you have touched us with your Spirit; and we have turned
toward you, seeking to love as we have been loved. We call upon your holy name:
empower us to worship and serve you, walking gently on this earth, through the
grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
/ PASSING OF CHRIST’S PEACE
Sharing Joys/Blessings
Celebrating Birthdays & Anniversaries
THE
CHURCH IN CONFESSION
We admit, O God,
that we are attracted to false gods who lure us from you. The “god of easy
answers” whispers that we need not accept the cost of discipleship, but only
its joy. The “god of busy schedules” tempts us to delay doing your will until
tomorrow. The “god of cozy friendships” calls us to love those who love us,
rather than labouring to build Christian community among diverse personalities.
Forgive us that we are drawn toward false gods. Hold us close in your love that
we may never forsake you, but always serve you faithfully; through the grace of
Jesus Christ Amen. (Time for Silent Reflection)
WORDS
OF ASSURANCE
One: Rejoice
and be glad! Blessed are those who seek the face of God.
All: Everyone
who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds.
One: Blessed are those who ask for forgiveness,
for they shall be forgiven!
All: Blessed
are those who repent, for they shall be freed to live fully in the present!
CELEBRATING
THE BAPTISM OF BRIELLA M. SPRACKLIN
HYMN Voices United: #644 “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry”
PRESENTATION
OF THE CANDIDATE (by Member of Session)
On behalf of the congregation of Brigus United Church,
a member of the BCG Pastoral Charge, I present this child for initiation into
the body of Christ through baptism -
Briella M. Spracklin, child of Nicole Greeley & Blair Spracklin.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Dearly beloved, baptism is an outward and visible sign
of the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through this grace that we become
partakers of his righteousness and heirs of life eternal. Those receiving the Sacrament
of Baptism through it come into the fellowship of Christ's holy Church. Our
Lord has expressly given to little children a place among the people of God, a
holy privilege that must not be denied them. Remember the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ, how he said, "Let the children come to me, do not hinder
them; for to such belongs the Kingdom of God." Let us listen to God’s word
as it affirms the welcome of children
into the faith community.
A READING FROM MARK 10:13 -16 - Brittany Norman
PROFESSION
OF FAITH AND PROMISES OF PARENTS & CHURCH
Minister to Parents: Nicole & Blair, you have asked to have your child baptized. In
doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training her in the practice
of the faith. It will be your duty to bring her up to keep God’s commandments
as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand
what you are undertaking?
Parents: We
do.
Minister: Let us come to God’s presence as we share promises of
faith and love.
Parents: Briella,
you were given to us by God through love, and we promise to teach you through
God’s Word, guide you through faith, and fill your life with God’s love and
ours.
Family: Briella, as your family, we promise our constant support and the wisdom
of knowledge through experience. We will advise you through our love and God’s.
Congregation: Briella, as members of God’s church, we
promise to spiritually uphold you, encourage your belief in God, and instill
Christian values in you through God’s love and ours.
Minister: As members of BCG Pastoral Charge
Church, let us pledge to these persons - parents, family and this child- our
continued support and care...
ALL: As a baptized and baptizing church, we commit
ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith! May God
grant us all the grace to live out our baptism!
POURING OF
WATER AND THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Minister: God be with you!
People : And also with you!
Minister: Lift up your hearts!
People: We lift
them to God!
Minister: Let us give thanks to God, Gracious
and Holy One, we bless you for the
gift of life and within it, the gift
of water (Water is poured). Over its unshaped promise, your Spirit
hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth! (Water
is poured)
People: Through
water you led the children of Israel to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan
your child Jesus was baptized. (Water
is poured).
Minister: Now may your Spirit be upon us and what
we do, that this water may be a sign for all of new life in Christ, in whose
name we pray. Amen.
THE ACT OF
BAPTISM and BLESSING
MARKING WITH
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
CONGREGATIONAL
WELCOME
Minister: Briella Michelle Spracklin, into the household of faith we welcome you with joy
and thanksgiving. We welcome you as members of God’s family.
People: We welcome you with love that you may know
love. We welcome you with joy that you may learn of Christ’s joy. We welcome
you by name that you may know whose you are.
You are a part of our family and will always find a welcome place here.
PRESENTATION of CHILD to the
CONGREGATION
PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION
RESPONSIVE
Psalm 62 (Voices United # 779 & Sung Refrain) - Lorraine Clarke
A
READING from Jonah 1 - 4:1 - 3 - Cara Goodburn
ANTHEM “Follow, Follow Me” -
BCG Pastoral Charge Senior Choir)
A
READING from Mark 1:14-20 - Robyn King
MEDITATION “Following and
Living Christ”
PRAYERS OF AND FOR THE PEOPLE
GATHERING OF OFFERINGS (Minute For Mission)
PRESENTATION AND PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
These gifts are the seeds of discipleship: sown among
the suffering, they will give hope; sown among the bereaved, they will bring
the touch of comfort; sown among the lonely, they will create links of
friendship; sown among church members, they will become a means to strength;
sown among the searching, they will bring wisdom...God bless these gifts as we,
disciples of Jesus, seek to make them effective. Amen.
HYMN Voices United
#120 “O Jesus I Have Promised”
BENEDICTION AND RECESSIONAL POSTLUDE
LIFE & WORK OF
THE CHURCH
Welcome everyone in the name of Christ our Friend and
Redeemer! May our worship together bless you in a very special way!
Today we welcome into the family of Christ through the
Sacrament of Baptism baby Briella Michelle Spracklin, child of Nicole
Greeley & Blair Spracklin.
BCG Pastoral Charge Official Board will meet on
Wednesday, January 25 @ 7:30 pm at the Legacy Center, Cupids.
Annual Congregational Meetings will be held on the
following schedule:
Georgetown United - January 29th, (Sun)
immediately after worship & Potluck at the home of Diane & Rick Burt
Brigus United - January 30th,
(Mon), starts at 6:00 pm with a Potluck Supper
Cupids Untied - February 5th
(Sun) immediately following worship, at the Legacy Center,
Service at the
Pentecostal Senior’s Home is cancelled this Tuesday due to an Influenza
outbreak.
Please be informed that on a full-time appointment
& ministry with BCG Pastoral Charge, Rev. Nancy takes Friday and part of
Saturday as days off. However, if there are Pastoral Care emergency needs
please don’t hesitate to inform or call, and she will gladly respond to the
Pastoral Charge needs.
Worship next
Sunday is at Georgetown United Church at 11:00 a.m.