“Enter Into His Gates with Thanksgiving and Praise” Baptism of the Lord January 8, 2023 ~ ~ ~ OPENING SELECTION “Father, Jesus, Spirit” By: Fred Hammond
CALL TO WORSHIP** “Psalm 29” RESPONSE:
With joy the Lord of Hosts proclaim; extol the great almighty name.
Leader:
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendor.
People: Leader: People: RESPONSE:
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, upon many waters, The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. With joy the Lord of Hosts proclaim; extol the great almighty name.
Leader: People:
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
Leader:
The Lord makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
People: Leader: People:
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness, the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
Leader:
The voice of the Lord makes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
People: Leader: People: RESPONSE:
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as Ruler forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! With joy the Lord of Hosts proclaim; extol the great almighty name.
AFFIRMATION OF FAITH**
THE OLD TESTAMENT READINGS
(Apostles’ Creed)
Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick 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. *Universal
THE NEW TESTAMENT READING Acts 10:34-43
THE GOSPEL READING** Matthew 3:13-17
MINISTRY THROUGH MUSIC “You Ought To Give God Praise” By: Eddie Robinson
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ THE WORD FOR TODAY Dr. Sherry L. Daniels
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INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP PRAYER Dr. Sherry L. Daniels
CONGREGATIONAL SINGING** “Kneel at the Cross” By: Charles E. Moody Verse 1 Kneel at the cross, Christ will meet you there, Come while He waits for you; List to His voice, Leave with Him your care And begin life a new.
MINISTRY THROUGH TITHES AND OFFERINGS God of the water that cleans us, the land that feeds us, and the air that allows us to breathe your Spirit in and out of us; you claim us in our baptism, but too few of us even remember our own baptism; and if we remember (or imagine) our baptism, we too rarefy grasp its meaning and power. As we present our tithes and offering in worship and witness Christ’s baptism once again, may we remember that in that water, we were like Christ, commissioned to go: to teach, preach, heal, and even to take up a cross. In Christ, we pray. Amen. (Matthew 3:13-17)
BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH Go in peace.
Verse 3 Kneel at the cross, Give your idols up, Look unto realms above; Turn not away To life’s sparkling cup; Trust only in His love.
CLOSING SELECTION “Cry Holy” By: Brent Jones
Refrain Kneel at the cross, Leave ev’ry care; Kneel at the cross, Jesus will meet you there. (Verse 2 omitted.)
“Depart To Serve”
** Indicates to stand.