ORDER FOR WORSHIP
GATHERING
Theme: A Season of Light
Prelude - - - Tom Ajack, Guitar “Wade in the Water” (Baptism of the Lord)

Welcome and Lighting the Christ Candle - Pastor Susan Bresser
In this season of Light, we light this candle - the Christ Candle - to remind us of God’s light shining in the darkness. May we share this light of hope, peace and justice in the world today.

Hymn - Red hymn book, #139, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, verses 1 & 2

*Call to Worship - Greta
Leader: Darkness is gone. New Hope has arisen for each of us.
People: We are forgiven and blessed.
Leader: We are marked by God as disciples
People: God has entrusted us with God's own message of hope.
Leader: Come, Spirit of God, and rest upon us.
People: Enable us to be people of hope and peace. Amen.

Hymn - Red hymn book, #139, - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty verses 3 - 5

A Time of Prayer (with Lord’s Prayer) - Pastor Susan Bresser

Musical Response: Hymn - Red hymn book, #500 - Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart, verses 1 & 5

THE WORD
Musical Setting for the Scripture - “Thy Word”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to Luke, (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22, NRSV)
As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Contemporary Message – Pastor Greta Hietpas
“In Light of Expectation”

RESPONSE
Ministry Moment - Pastor Susan Bresser
1. Living Faith Today - Tuesdays at 6:30 on Zoom
2. Needed: Scripture Readers and Altar Flowers (link?)
3. Star Words - coming in the mail OR contact church office
4. Overflow Shelter Wish List
5. Giving

Prayer of Dedication - Pastor Susan Bresser
We offer our gifts in recognition that we are baptized people, transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, we will hold nothing back but will share our lives, our hearts, our energies, as well as our efforts, in ministry to the world around us. This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Hymn – Black hymn book, #2117 - Spirit of God (vv 1, 2, 5)

*Benediction - Pastor Greta Hietpas

Postlude "As with Gladness, Men of Old" by Robert Hobby, John Sheaffer, pipe organ
Prepare for worship next Sunday by reading John 2:1-11