Community United Church

An Open and Affirming Congregation

Affiliated with the United Church of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Church of the Brethren

The First Sunday after Epiphany

January 10, 2021:

11:00 AM

The First Sunday after Epiphany

We are now in the Season of Epiphany! The word epiphany means “to reveal.” The season begins with the story of the three Magi who followed a star to Bethlehem—the time at which Christ began to be revealed to the whole world. For seven weeks we consider scripture narratives that show how Christ revealed the dynamic nature of the Reign of God, and what it means to be Messiah, “King,” of such a kingdom. This is a season for us to consider how Christ has been revealed to us—and to remember, Christ is someone to be encountered, not a simple theology to believe.

Today’s Readings:

Genesis 1:1-5

Acts 19:1-7

Psalm 29

Mark 1:4-11

Theme:

The Baptism of Jesus

Pastoral Team:

Rev. Dr. Rich McCarty, Senior Pastor

Pastor Joy Johnson, Associate Minister

Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

Prelude Cheryl Strecker

Welcome & Announcements

Centering Music

Invocation

One:Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God our Creator, Christ our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our eternal Advocate and friend.

All:And also with you.

One:The scriptures tell us that “in the beginning” there was chaos, disorder; a formless void—like the waters of an all encompassing flood. And yet that ancient chaos had no power over God—who is both before and beyond all things in time and space.

All:God was not overpowered by flood or chaos “in the beginning.” God is not overpowered by the flood of chaos now.

One:We say that God “sits enthroned above the flood,” which is really to say: God is Sovereign in all situations—the Eternal and Holy One speaks into chaos and brings order. God even dives into chaotic floods to undo their power. God does this time and time again; however long it takes for creation to consent to loving communion with God.

All:God spoke into the flood of chaos “in the beginning.” God speaks into our chaos even now. And at just the right time, the living Word of God became human for us and for our salvation in Christ Jesus—who shows us that God goes into the flood with us, and rises with the power of love and peace. Amen!

* Opening Hymn “Sing a New Song” #10

Chorus:

Sing a new song unto the Lord; let your song be sung from mountains high.

Sing a new song unto the Lord, Singing “Alleluia!”

Yahweh’s people dance for joy; O come before the Lord.

And play for him on glad tambourines, and let your trumpet sound! (Chorus)

Rise, O children, from your sleep; your Savior now has come.

He has turned your sorrow to joy, and filled your soul with song. (Chorus)

Glad my soul for I have seen the glory of the Lord.

The trumpet sounds; the dead shall be raised. I know my Savior lives. (Chorus)

* Opening Prayer

Confession and Assurance:

One:People of God, as we have gathered to worship, let us pause now to be reformed and refined by divine love. Let us pray: for any habit that we have nurtured, which perpetuates division, alienation, untruths, or half-truths.

All:Lord have mercy.

One:For the injustices of the world that human hands have engineered: environmental catastrophe; greed and poverty; racism, sexism, ageism, religious bigotry, oppression of people because of sexuality or gender identity; a failure to care for the sick and needy; hard-heartedness, and lust for power. As intercessors for humanity, we cry out:

All:Christ have mercy!

One:For the sins of the church—whether universal or local—especially for those times when we have not been the Body of Christ.

All:Lord have mercy!

One:For those things that we need to confess in the silence of our hearts, we trust that you meet us, O God, in grace and confidentiality…. (Silent prayer)…. People of God, may the Holy One of heaven and earth remind you of the grace that is already yours, and the ever present forgiveness that flows to you before you even ask. Remember Christ’s own words, “Forgive them, they know not what they do.” Receive this good news of grace, through Jesus Christ our Savior!

All:Amen!

Song of Praise “Sanctuary ” #482

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary,

Pure and holy, tried and true;

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living—

Sanctuary for you.

(Repeat)

First Reading The Book of Genesis 1:1-5

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2 the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Song of Reflection “How Great Thou Art” #51

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Chorus:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee:

How great thou art, how great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee:

How great thou art, how great thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

(Chorus)

And when I think that God, his Son not sparing,

Sent him to die, I scarce can take it in,

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin.

(Chorus)

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art.”

(Chorus)

Second Reading The Book of Acts 19:1-7

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— 7 altogether there were about twelve of them.

Responsorial Psalm 29

One:Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

All:Ascribe to the LORD the glory of God’s name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.

One:The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.

All:The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

One:The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as Sovereign forever.

All:May the LORD give strength to the people! May the LORD bless the people with peace! Amen.

*Doxology “Glory Be to God, Creator” #145

Glory be to God, Creator, glory be to God the Son,

Glory be to God the Spirit, known as Three, yet God the One

As it was in the beginning, it is now and so shall be,

In a world without an ending, glory through eternity.

Holy, holy God Almighty! Holy, holy Prince of Peace!

Holy, holy Wind of Presence! Holy, holy, holy! Amen!

*Gospel Mark 1:4-11

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

One:These are the words of God for the people of God.

All:Come Holy Spirit! Thanks be to God!

Message The Baptism of Jesus: Pastor Rich

Over and Into the Flood

Song of Response “Borning Cry” #680

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;

In a blaze of light you wandered off

To find where demons dwell.

When you heard the wonder of the Word

I was there to cheer you on.

You were raised to praise the living Lord

To whom you now belong.

If you find someone to share your time,

And you join your hearts as one,

I’ll be there to make your verses 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 when 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.

Pastoral Prayer & Lord’s Prayer

One:The Lord be with you.

All:And also with you.

One:Let us pray: for those who need you to be the God you promised to be: the One who is Sovereign over the flood of chaos; the One who enters into the flood of our chaos, and the One who leads us into security, love, and peace.

All:God hear our prayer!

One:For those whose hearts and minds feel like chaotic waters, due to anxiety, loss, depression, addiction, and despair.

All:God hear our prayer!

One:For the opening of our hearts and minds to the power of your living Word, O God. May we learn to trust in all of your promises, especially the promise of baptism: that you will lead us in life, through death, and into eternal life.

All:God hear our prayer!

One:For all that we hold in the silence of our hearts, we come to you in the confidence of quiet, O God, and lift our petitions privately to you. (Silent prayer)… Almighty God, Sovereign of Heaven, send a double portion of your blessings upon all people! Move the mountains in our lives, or help to move us so that we might be fully at peace. This we pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray…

All:“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, the Power, and the Glory forever.” Amen.

Offering

Our offerings are first and foremost what we give to the world through justice, kindness, and mercy—and these can do every day. Our offerings can also take the form of financial contributions to the church to support our ministries.

Financial offerings are now accepted online at:

www.communityunited.church/giving/

Or, if you prefer to mail in a check, that can be addressed to the church at:

1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508

Offertory Music and Time for Contemplation Cheryl Strecker

As the offertory music is played, let us stay together in a spirit of prayer and worship. Open your hearts now to what Spirit is saying to you—and moving you to do in the days that we have been given.

*Congregational Response #44

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!Praise him all creatures here below.

Praise him above, you heavenly host!

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

*Departing Prayer

One:God of grace and glory, you call us with your voice of flame to be your people, faithful and courageous.

All:As Christ embraced his mission in the waters of baptism, inspire us with the fire of your Spirit to join in his transforming work. We ask this in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen!

*Blessing

*Closing Hymn “God of Grace and God of Glory” #569

God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power;

Crown your ancient Church’s story, bring its bud to glorious flower.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour,

For the facing of this hour!

Lo! The hosts of evil round us, scorn your Christ, assail his ways!

Fears and doubts too long have bound us—free our hearts to work and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days,

For the living of these days!

Heal your children’s warring madness, bend our pride to your control;

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,

Les we miss your kingdom’s goal.

Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore;

Let the gift of your salvation be our glory ever-more.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving you whom we adore,

Serving you whom we adore!

Postlude Cheryl Strecker

Thank you for worshipping with us this morning at Community United Church!

Next Sunday, January 17, 2021:

Online Worship:

11:00 AM

Readings:

1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

1 Corinthians 6:12, 19-20

John 1:43-51

The Second Sunday after Epiphany:

The God who Seeks You and Calls You By Name

Need to contact us for prayer, conversation, or to connect with a small group or church ministry?

1011 West 38th Street – Erie, PA 16508

(814) – 864 – 4429

www.communityunited.church