Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church

11:00 AM Worship Baptism of the Lord 8 January 2012

GATHERING

Andante E.L. Ashford

GREETING AND WELCOME

INTROIT

Alleluia, Come, Let Us Sing J. Bertalot

*CALL TO WORSHIP UMH 761

Psalm 29

*HYMN FWS 2120

Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness Spirit of Gentleness

*PRAYER in unison

Eternal God,

at the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan

you proclaimed him your beloved Son

and anointed him with the Holy Spirit.

Grant that all who are baptized into his name

may keep the covenant they have made

and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior;

who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,

one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

ANTHEM

With Grateful Heart, I Thank You, Lord M.K. Beall

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

FIRST READING

Genesis 1:1-5

SECOND READING

Mark 1:4-11

THIRD READING

Acts 19:1-7

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Following the message, children from K-3 are invited to attend the Junior Church program.

SERMON

The Unseen Attraction

*HYMN

When Jesus Came to Jordan Ellacombe

When Jesus came to Jordan to be baptized by John,

he did not come for pardon but as the sinless one.

He came to share repentance with all who mourn their sins,

to speak the vital sentence with which good news begins.

He came to share temptation, our utmost woe and loss,

for us and our salvation to die upon the cross.

So when the dove descended on him, the Son of Man,

the hidden years had ended, the age of grace began.

Come, Holy Spirit, aid us to keep the vows we make;

this very day invade us, and every bondage break.

Come, give our lives direction, the gift we covet most:

to share the resurrection that leads to Pentecost.

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

PASTORAL PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER in unison

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 and the power and

the glory, forever. Amen.

*THE PEACE

OFFERING

Offertory A. Moortgat

*DOXOLOGY UMH 95

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

*HYMN UMH 347

Spirit Song Spirit Song

*BENEDICTION

God the Father, who sent his Spirit upon his Son,

bless you with the presence of his Spirit.

Jesus, who received the Spirit and manifested the Father,

abide in you and make you a manifestation of his life.

And God the Spirit, who came upon Christ in the fullness of power,

empower you to live a life of faith.

To the glory of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

*GOING FORTH

Closing Voluntary E.L. Ashford

*Those who are able are invited to stand.