In-Person, Sunday Morning at 9:30 am

or

Online Recorded Worship Service

January 12, 2025

To access, please visit our website

at www.umcw.org/sermons

“Baptism: Naming Our True Identity”

Order of Worship

Baptism of the Lord

BOLD indicates congregational SPEAKING participation

GATHERING AS THE BODY OF CHRIST


Prelude

 "The Friendly Beasts"

 UMH #227


Welcome and Sharing of Announcements


A Time to Make Connections


Meditation Time


Introit

"Good Morning, Jesus"

Adult Choir

arr. Betty Pulkingham

(in-person service only)


Call to Worship

Liturgist: Come to the waters.

People: We gather at the river. 

Liturgist:  Come to the waters. 

People: The waters of grace flow over us. 

Liturgist: Come to the waters. 

People: We are washed in God’s love. 

Liturgist: Come to the waters. 

People: We are God’s beloved children. 

(Resource comes from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2025)  


Opening Prayer

God of strength, God of love, surround us with your love. Gather us in as your beloved children. Open our ears to hear your voice. Open our hearts to the power of your transforming love. May your waters of grace pour over us, renewing us for your work in the world. Bless us in this holy time. Amen.

(Resource comes from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2025


Opening Hymn

“Shall We Gather at the River”  

UMH #723


Children's Time

     Courtney Till  


Joys and Concerns


Lord's Prayer


Prayer Response

  “Jesus, Name above All Names” 

 TFWS #2071 (1 time)   

     based on Matthew 1:23 & Philippians 2:9


ATTENTION TO THE WORD OF GOD

*Scripture Readings

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22


15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah,[a] 16 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 strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 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.”


21 Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 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;[a] with you I am well pleased.”[b]   (NRSV) 


Liturgist: The word of God for the people of God.

People: Thanks be to God.  


Message

“Baptism: Naming Our True Identity” 

Pastor Jinyong


Reaffirmation of our baptism

WE RESPOND


Offertory Hymn

"Spirit Song"

UMH #347


*Doxology

UMH #94


*Offertory Prayer

Loving God, you bless us with your love. You know each one of us. We live in confidence and trust, knowing your care for us. We bring these gifts to you, our source of life. Use them, we pray, that others may experience your grace and live free from fear. Amen. 

(Resource comes from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2025)  


*Closing Hymn

    “I’ve Got Peace Like a River” 

UMH #2145


*The Blessing and Sending Forth 

God knows your names. 

As God’s beloved children, you belong to God. 

Secure in this love, go forth to live without fear, trusting God’s abundant care, resting in God’s peace. 

Amen. 


Benediction Response

“Lead me, Lord in Thy Righteousness”  

Adult Choir

by Samuel Sebastian Wesley 

(based on Psalm 4:8 & Psalm 5:8)


Postlude

 Variations on ‘Deo gracias’ 

 Gary Bachlund 

In-Person Services:


Usher/Greeter: Nancy Keelan

Organist: Matt Cron

Sound: Valarie Wilder

Liturgist: Mark Beatty

Projection: Jodie Kruger


Our Mission Statement

“God calls us to be disciples of Jesus, building community through service and fellowship and sharing the love of Christ with all.”


Our Openness Statement

“The United Methodist Church of Westford is an open and welcoming community of Christian Faith. Without any exceptions, we welcome anyone who seeks to love and to serve God.”

Please click here for “A Statement of Our Openness”.

www.umcw.org

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