Princeton UMC Worship - 1.9.2022

Baptism of the Lord January 9, 2022

“Jesus’ Baptism” by Laura James

The Church Gathers Pre-Service Music

“Française d’après Claude Gervaise”

Poulenc

Words of Welcome The Peace

The peace of the Lord be with you. And also with you.

Call to Worship The heavens open. The Spirit descends.

Jesus emerges from the water.

And a voice echoes through the blue expanse.

"This is my child, the Beloved, with whom I am well-pleased."

Jesus is named. Claimed.

We come to the water. We remember we are named. Claimed.

Can it be so? What a thing to be named. Claimed.

Let us worship the one who names and claims us still.

Hymn

“Down by the Jordan”

{by Caela Wood}

W&S #3045

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 here 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 those 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!

To Hear the Word and Reflect Special Music Children’s Time

“Child of God” This, this is where children belong Welcomed as part of the worshiping throng Water, God's Word, bread and cup, prayer and song.

This is where children belong.

Tom Shelton TFWS #2233

Scripture

“Mark 1:4-11” This is the Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Sermon

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz

To Respond in Faith The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic* and apostolic church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Reaffirmation of Baptism Sisters, brothers, siblings in Christ...and the Creator who is making all things new.

And so I ask you, will you turn away from the powers of sin and death?

We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of our sin!

Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be?

We accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves!

Will you proclaim the good news and live as disciples of Jesus Christ, his body on earth?

We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, put our whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as our Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races!

Will you be living witnesses to the gospel, individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?

We will remain faithful members of Christ's holy church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world.

Will you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?

We affirm and teach the faith of the whole church as we put our trust in God, the Creator of all; in Jesus Christ, his only Son; and in the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.

Almighty God, the life you birthed in us by baptism into Jesus Christ will never die.

Your justice never fails. Your mercy is everlasting.

Your healing river flows. Your Spirit blows where you will. We cannot stop you, God! But sometimes we try. We try to block the flow, we redirect the winds of the Spirit, or we walk so far away from the life-giving Stream that we do not hear its sound, and we forget its power. We parch ourselves.

We are dry and thirsty, O God. Come, refresh us!

Come upon us, Holy Spirit! Come upon us, Holy Spirit!

Come upon these waters. Come upon these waters.

Let these waters be to us drops of your mercy.

Let these waters remind us of your righteousness and justice.

Let these waters renew us in the resurrection power of Jesus.

Let these waters make us long for your coming reign.

Most Holy God, Abba, Father! Glory to you!

Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord! Glory to you!

Spirit of fire, Spirit over the waters, Spirit of holiness! Glory to you!

Eternal God, One in Three and Three in One! All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen!

Remember that you are baptized, and rejoice!

Hymn

“Child of Blessing, Child of Promise”

Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit's sign; with this water God has sealed you unto love and grace divine.

Child of love, our love's expression, love's creation, loved indeed!

Fresh from God, refresh our spirits, into joy and laughter lead.

Child of joy, our dearest treasure, God's you are, from God you came.

Back to God we humbly give you; live as one who bears Christ's name.

Child of God your loving Parent, learn to know whose child you are.

Grow to laugh and sing and worship, trust and love God more than all.

Prayers of the People 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.

Sign-in and Connect! Card Let us know you are here, and connect with ways to Feed and Be Fed through PUMC: • Use the Connect! card, text “PUMC” to 609-542-2192, or scan the upper QR code.

Invitation to Offering We provide lots of options to give electronically: • Give on our church website, scan the lower QR code, text 844-908-2593, or give via PayPal. Offertory

“XIV Improvisation”

Poulenc

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below: Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts!

Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts! Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Prayer of Thanksgiving

And Scatter To Be in the World Hymn

“Shall We Gather at the River”

TFWS #2091

Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God? Refrain: Yes, we'll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God. On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray, we will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day. {Refrain} Ere we reach the shining river, lay we every burden down; grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown. {Refrain} Soon we'll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease; soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. {Refrain} Benediction

Postlude

“Presto from Suite Pour Piano”

Poulenc

For a full listing of calendar events, visit our website: https://princetonumc.org/calendar/

Sunday, January 9 8:45 am Contemporary Issues 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class 11:30 am Compassion Camp & Grow 11:30 am Outreach Committee 3:00 pm Divorce Support Group via Zoom 6:00 pm Ministerio Internacional in the Fellowship Hall Monday, January 10 10:00 am Monday Morning Group 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:00 pm Church Council Ministry Team 7:00 pm NJGMC Weekly Rehearsal in the Fellowship Hall Tuesday, January 11 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 7:00 pm Trustees Ministry Team 8:00 pm Worship Ministry Team 8:00 pm Godfulness Meditation Small Group Wednesday, January 12 9:00 am Love Lives On 2:00 pm Cristina Altamura Music Lessons in Room 103 4:30 pm Children's Choir 5:00 pm Cornerstone Community Meal 7:00 pm Children's & Youth Formation Ministry Team Thursday, January 13 12:15 pm AA in Room 203 7:15 pm Membership & Growth Ministry Team 8:00 pm Ministerio Internacional in Rooms 204 & 205 Sunday, January 16 8:45 am Contemporary Issues in the Fellowship Hall 10:00 am Worship Service 10:00 am Confirmation Class 11:30 am Compassion Camp & Grow 3:00 pm Love Lives On via Zoom 3:00 pm High School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall 4:00 pm Youth Choir in the Sanctuary 4:30 pm Middle School Youth Group in the Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm Ministerio Internacional in the Fellowship Hall

Newcomers Class

Begins January 23 | 11:30 am

This 5-week class beginning in the new year offers an opportunity to learn more about Princeton UMC and consider how you might get more plugged into the many ministries happening in the life of our church. At the end of the five weeks, participants will be invited to join into membership at PUMC. Email Pastor Jenny if you want to participate. Have someone in mind who you think should join? Extend them a special invitation!

French Music-Themed Concert

February 13 | 3:00 pm

Princeton UMC member and musician, Scott Collins, and some of his friends will be presenting a French Music-Themed Concert in Princeton UMC’s Sanctuary February 13th. Ticket proceeds will benefit the PUMC Outreach Ministry Team’s efforts to support our community members in need. Mark the date on your calendar and more details will be coming soon—you won’t want to miss this musical treat!

Terracycle Program As more of us are coming to in-person worship, we want to invite you to contribute to our Terracycle donation bins, now located downstairs, just outside of the Fellowship Hall. Click here to get the current information about which items can be donated (or find the website at princetonumc.org under ’Community.’)

Proceeds go to support the Appalachian Service Project.

Sharing in Our Worship Today Worship Leader: Lay Reader: Liturgists: Acolyte:

Rev. Jenny Smith Walz Raphael Aryeetey Ian Griffiths, LaVerna Albury Sequoah Hadley

Today’s flowers are given in loving memory of

My Mother, Joan Baker

by Yvonne Macdonald

Designated Singers: Jenni Collins, Lori Pantaleo, Tom Shelton Musicians: Julia Hanna, Children’s Choir Sound & Video: Ian Macdonald, Bill Gardner

Have Prayer Concerns?

For our Prayer Chain, call Mary Lib Stewart at 609-632-1973 or contact Yvonne Macdonald at yvonnee.mac@verizon.net, 609-497-0337.

Please notify Pastor Jae Hong at jae@princetonumc.org when you or a family member is in the hospital or in need of a pastoral call.

Prayer Concerns Sara and Zion Hicks Emma Worrall & Family The Apperson Family, upon the loss of their daughter and sister Angela

Michele’s sister, Jacqueline Terry Dries, Andrea, Diane Joseph Guidry Nicole Meo’Martino Jonathan Seltzer

Alex DiStase Iona Harding & Family Dan and Lavonne Rosi Jones Midwest Storm Victims