ST. JOHN’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
MAYTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Keith Smith, Organist and Choirmaster
Janie Mohr, Junior Choirmaster
Vicki McConnell and Charlie Johns, Junior Youth Ministry
Diane Leonard, Parish Secretary
Becky Fleckenstein, Parish Sexton
First
Sunday After Epiphany 11:oo
AM A Service Celebrating Christ’s Baptism and Our Own,
Employing the BLUE hymnal.
THE PRELUDE MUSIC
THE OPENING HYMN - #690 “Shall We Gather At The River”
Sung standing.
THE GREETING – p. 28
THE KYRIE – p. 28
First time through – A = Pastor C = All
Second time through – A = Choir C = All
THE HYMN OF PRAISE – p. 29-30
C = All I = Pastor II = Keith
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY All sit, following the prayer.
THE FIRST READING – Isaiah 43:1-7
THE ANTHEM – “I Will Joyfully Sing” M. McDonald
THE SECOND READING – Acts 8:14-17
THE GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION – p. 31 “Alleluia” Sung standing.
THE HOLY GOSPEL – Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 All sit following the Gospel.
THE HYMN OF THE DAY – “Christ, When For Us You Were
Baptized”
THE HOMILY
THE APPOSTLES’ CREED – p. 33 Confessed standing.
THE THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM RITE
PASTOR: Blessed be the Holy Trinity, one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation.
ALL: Amen
PASTOR: Joined to Christ in the waters of Baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of Baptism and recommit our lives to the witness and mission which it calls and empowers us to carry out as we begin a new earthly year.
PEOPLE: We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your spirit moved over the waters and by your word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.
Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from salvery into freedom.
At the river, your son was Baptized by John and annointed with the Holy Spirit.
By water and the word, you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We thank you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ and pray that, every day, you shower us with your spirit and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. Help us to be the servants that you became for us, that we might reflect your light and bring others to share in it also.
In your son’s most holy name, we ask this and every prayer. Amen.
THE BAPTISMAL HYMNS
#698 – “We Were Baptized in Christ Jesus”
#693 – “Baptized In Water”
As the congregation sings the hymns, the pastor and acolyte move among God’s people, sprinkling them with water, using an evergreen branch, to remind all of our baptism. This rite is known in the church as the “Asperges”. All sit, following the singing.
THE ORGAN OFFERTORY
THE OFFERINGS – Regular and World Hunger
THE OFFERTORY – p. 35 “Let the Vineyards” Sung standing.
THE PRAYER – p. 35 right column
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING – p. 36
The Preface – p. 36
The Sanctus – p. 36 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
The Prayer of Thanksgiving – p. 37 Right column.
The Lord’s Prayer
The Agnus Dei – p. 39 “Lamb of God”
The Distribution – Standing continuous, by intinction, two lines
Come forward via the center aisle. Receive communion from either the pastor or the deacon, depending upon which side of the church you are seated. The choir leads the “Luther Window” side of the church. The balcony may join either line. Return to your pew via the side aisle on your side of the nave.
All who are baptized, who believe that Christ is present in this communion meal, feeding the faithful, forgiving our sins, and strengthening us for living as disciples of Christ, are welcome to share in the Lord’s Supper. The un-baptized, very young children and those who do not wish to commune may come forward for a blessing or stay seated.
The Hymns Sung During Communion –
#741 – “Thy Holy Wings”
#784 – “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore”
#649 – “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
The Blessing All rise.
The Canticle – p. 40 “Thankful Hearts”
The Prayer – p. 41
The Blessing – p. 41
The Dismissal – p. 41
THE RECESSIONAL HYMN – “In Christ Called to Baptize”
THE SILENT PRAYER
THE ORGAN POSTLUDE
Note…
The two new hymns used in this service come from the ELCA’s “Renewing Worship Song Book” of 2003. They are also found in the new hymnal that we may adopt as a successor to the LBW. Both are examples of modern texts being wedded to older, familiar tunes. We hope you enjoy them!
J J J J
THE FLOWERS
…are given to the Glory of God and in honor of Sue’s “29th” Birthday…again. by Skip, Tina, Rodney and Ryan Nell
THE BULLETINS
…are given to the Glory of God. by Frank and Ginny Zimmerman
SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE TODAY
Contemporary Service Lector – Joyce Boyer
Traditional Service Lector – JoNan Shirk
Acolytes – Amy Chapman and Spencer Frank
Crucifer – Ashley Funk
Head Usher – Dick Baker
Altar Care – Louise Baker
Greeters – Judy and Paul Purnell
Flowers – Skip and Tina Nell
Bulletins – Frank and Ginny Zimmerman
Offering Counters – Joyce Boyer, Dick Shirk and Vicki McConnell
NEW FLOWER AND BULLETIN SPONSORSHP CHARTS
…have been posted in the tower Narthex. Please sign-up to provide altar flowers or pay for bulletins on a special Sunday or two in 2007. Bulletin sponsorship costs $20 and altar flowers vary according to your wishes and the florist chosen. See Diane Leonard, our secretary, if you have a question. Thank you for helping to both beautify our church’s worship and save our operating budget an additional expense!
BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN, AT LONGWOOD MANOR
…resumes on Wednesday, at 10:00 AM. Bring your Bible and join us!
THIS WEEK AT ST. JOHN’S:
Today 9:00 AM Contemporary Service
10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM Traditional Service
Noon ACFLB
12:00 – 1:00 PM SYG Return from Winterfest – no
meeting tonight
Monday 7:00 PM Property Committee
7:00 PM WELCA
Tuesday 6:30 PM Praise Band rehearsal
7:00 PM Maytown Historical Society
Wednesday 10:00 AM Longwood Bible Study
6:45 PM Junior Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM Senior Choir Rehearsal
Thursday 7:00 PM Chime Choir Rehearsal
7:30 PM Fellowship Meeting at Purnell’s
Next Sunday 9:00 AM Contemporary Service
10:00 AM Sunday School
11:00 AM Traditional Service
Noon After Church for Lunch Bunch
6:00 PM Council Meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
…of the Annual January Congregational Meeting, which will be held on Sunday, January 21st, at 10:00 AM – Snow date January 28th. Note that the meeting is scheduled for the hour between the two worship services. The agenda will include the reception of reports, approval of membership rolls and a budget, election of a Deacon to replace Al Getz, and consideration of a proposal for a new sanctuary sound system. Please attend this important meeting.
HEAD USHERS
…are needed for 2007. Please sign up on the chart in the tower Narthex. Head ushers are responsible for getting people to serve a Sunday or two in “their” month, at the traditional service. You can be a man or woman, a teen or senior, experienced or a “rookie”. Charlie Johns will train you and answer all your questions. Just sign up! Thanks.
Fellowship meeting
…is set for Thursday, January 11th, at the Purnell's at 7:30 PM. Thank you, Judy.
THANKS
…to those who devoted two hours to taking down the Christmas decorations and cleaning the sanctuary last Sunday afternoon. Thanks to Janie, Connie S., George, Amanda and Vicki, Jamie, Ruth, Pauline H., Mark and Chris, Dick B. and Pat K. You guys are great!
IMPORTANT REGARDING: HUNGER OFFERNG
At the time that offering envelope boxes were distributed, we did not have enough World Hunger envelopes to give all boxes 12 envelopes. The envelopes have now arrived. You can find them in your elevator lobby mailboxes and in the pews. Thank you!
SYG UPDATE
…the Senior Youth Group will be returning on Sunday around 12-1. We will NOT have a youth meeting tonight. The next meeting is scheduled for January 21st, from 5-7. We will finalize the plans for our spaghetti dinner plus plan a winter adventure for February. Hope to see EVERYONE there!
ATTENTION
The Youth Group will be serving a spaghetti dinner on Sunday, January 29th immediately following traditional church service. The money raised will fund the activities planned for the Youth Group this coming summer. Please support the youth by enjoying a delicious spaghetti dinner cooked by George McConnell with assistance from the Youth Group! We are asking for a $5 donation per person.
HOPE TOTES
The Women of the Church have started a collection of personal care items for the Women’s shelter in Wrightsville. Our goal is to present them with these gifts on Valentines Day. A basket is on the tower window sill to receive any items you wish to contribute. Needed are: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, disposable razors, shampoo, hair brush, combs, hand or body lotion, tissues, lip balm and socks. Thank you for your giving to this project.
SERVING GOD’S PEOPLE NEXT WEEK, JANUARY 14, 2007
Contemporary Service Lector – Jennifer Repine
Traditional Service Lector – Dick Shirk
Acolyte – Gabrielle Thomas
Crucifer – Amber Smith
Head Usher – Dick Baker
Altar Care – Louise Baker
Greeters – Bill and Pat Vogel
Flowers – Nancy Deim
Bulletins –
Offering Counters – Joyce Boyer, Pat Vogel and Vicki McConnell