A Service for the Lord’s Day
January 10, 2021
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship — Psalm 29:1-4, 10-11
Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Prayer of Confession
Heavenly Father, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from sisters and brothers in Christ. We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another; we allow the past to hold us hostage. In your loving kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from sin. Remind us of the promises you make in baptism so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: Christ our Savior has come! While we were sinners, Jesus was born. Jesus died. Jesus rose in victory. And in him we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Children’s Message
Due to rising cases of COVID-19, in-person worship services are suspended. We will instead be live-streaming the service with a small worship team. Simply visit our YouTube page at 11:00am to tune in! The service will also be saved as a video for you to view later if you wish. We thank you for your continued grace and patience as we try this new endeavor.
Litany for the Baptism of the Lord
O Christ, by your epiphany your light shines upon us, giving us the fullness of salvation. Help us show your light to all we meet today. Lord, have mercy. (Christ, have mercy.)
O Christ of glory, you humbled yourself to be baptized, showing us the way of humility. Strengthen us to serve you in humility all the days of our life. Lord, have mercy. (Christ, have mercy.)
O Christ, by your baptism you cleansed us from our sin, making us children of your Father. Give the grace of being a child of God to all who seek you. Lord, have mercy. (Christ, have mercy.)
O Christ, by your baptism you sanctified creation and opened the door of repentance to all who are baptized. Make us servants of your gospel in the world. Lord, have mercy. (Christ, have mercy.)
O Christ, by your baptism you revealed to us the glorious Trinity when the voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son,” and the Holy Spirit descended upon you like a dove. Renew a heart of worship within all the baptized. Lord, have mercy. (Christ, have mercy.)
Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit, and revealed him as your beloved Son. Please keep us, your children born of water and the Spirit, faithful in your service, so that we may rejoice to be called children of God, and that we embody your Kingdom way of life and love; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Affirmation of 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.
Tithes and Offerings
With gratitude for the gospel, we share our time, talents, and resources with the Lord. (You may give financially by visiting www.sylvapres.org/giving, or by dropping a check off at the church or sending one to FPC at P.O. Box 2152, Sylva, NC 28779. Thank you!)
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Praise Him all creatures here below!
Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, you revealed yourself to us in your Son and by your Spirit. Baptized in Jordan’s waters, Jesus took his place with sinners and your voice proclaimed him “Beloved.” Your Spirit anointed him to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, to restore sight to the blind, to free the oppressed, and to touch broken lives with your healing peace. Through his suffering, death, and resurrection, you gave birth to your church, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit. We remember this gospel good news and we renew our trust in you today, as we ask: Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray for…
The nations of the world… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those in authority… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The needs of the community… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The church universal, its mission, and those who minister… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
The local congregation and its ministry… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Those with particular needs… Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
We pray together now as Jesus taught us, saying:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Benediction
May the peace of the risen Lord Christ go with you, wherever he may send you.
May he guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.
May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.