First Presbyterian Church Founded 1835 Corner of Jefferson and Clinton Streets Marianna, Florida (850) 5262430 EMail: firstpresmarianna@earthlink.net Website: www.firstpresmarianna.org THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD A CELEBRATION OF OUR JOURNEYS AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2007 11:00 A.M. THE CHURCH GATHERS . . . PRELUDE With the first notes of the organ please silently prepare yourself for worship. CHIMING THE HOUR WELCOME AND SHARING OF COMMUNITY LIFE INTROIT "At the Font We Start Our Journey" Words by Jeffery Rowthorn and Music by John Goss A REMINDER OF OUR BAPTISMS * CALL TO WORSHIP Leader: Come, let us remember and celebrate our journeys of faith which began at our baptisms, People: and give thanks to God for all of the ways in which those journeys have led us. Leader: Come, let us remember Cooper Kellogg Milton and Eva Marie Stafford who began their journey of faith at this font in past year, 2006, People: and let us pray for them on their journeys, and remember the promises we made to help them on those journeys. Leader: Come, let us remember Richard Hand, LuAnne Law, Tom Stadsklev and Scott Yant whose journeys of faith begun at the font have led them to this day, People: and let us pray for them as their journey has led them to serve as elders in this congregation. * HYMN OF OUR JOURNEYS OF FAITH No. 524 Salzburg "Holy Spirit, Lord of Love" CALL TO CONFESSION UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION God of Abraham and Sarah you call us to embark on a journey of faith, not knowing where it might lead. We have been slow to answer your call, reluctant to follow your lead, and on times have even refused to journey with you. Forgive us, we pray, for you have claimed us by your mercy and you have set before us eternal promises in Jesus Christ your Son. PERSONAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION IN SILENCE THE ASSURANCE OF PARDON * THE RESPONSE No. 579 Gloria Patri Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen. TO HEAR AND REFLECT ON GOD’S WORD . . . A TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN Suzanne Owens (Children age 5 and under are excused to go downstairs after Children’s Time) JESUS BEGINS HIS JOURNEY AT HIS BAPTISM Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 The Response: Leader: This is the Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God! ANTHEM: "Borning Cry" Words and Music by John Ylvisaker. Arranged by Daniel Kallman SERMON "What Does Your Baptism Mean to You?" Dr. Christopher TO RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD . . . * AFFIRMATION OF FAITH: The Apostles’ Creed Presbyterian Hymnal page 14 traditional * HYMN OF ASSURANCE FOR OUR JOURNEYS No. 419 Repton "How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord" TO SHARE IN THE ACT OF ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION . . . Leader: As the baptized children of God, God invites us to share our journey of faith as part of the Church, the Body of Christ, in the world today, People: there to claim God’s guidance for our individual lives, and for our life together. Leader: Down through the ages God has called men and women as part of their journey of faith to fulfill special functions in the life of the church. . People: In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) we have seen these functions to be those of Elder, Deacon or Minister of Word and Sacrament. Leader: Through ordination we set apart those whom God has called, and whom the Holy Spirit has gifted, to serve in the governance of Christ’s Church. People: To the office of Elder in this congregation we have elected Richard Arlan Hand, LuAnne Law, Thomas D. Stadsklev and Daniel Scott Yant. Leader: Subsequent to their election these persons have engaged in a period of instruction, have been examined and approved by this Session to serve as Elders in this congregation of God’s people. People: Let us then proceed to their ordination and installation. Leader: You will now give answer to the following questions, which the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) requires of you: Do you trust in Jesus Christ your Savior, acknowledge him Lord of all and Head of the Church, and through him believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Elders-Elect: I do. Leader: Do you accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be, by the Holy Spirit, the unique and authoritative witness to Jesus Christ in the Church universal and God’s Word to you? Elders-Elect: I do. Leader: Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our Church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by these confessions as you lead the people of God? Elders-Elect: I do and I will. Leader: Will you fulfill your office in obedience to Jesus Christ, under the authority of Scripture, and be continually guided by our confessions? Elders-Elect: I will. Leader: Will you be governed by our Church's polity, and will you abide by its discipline? Elders-Elect: I will. Leader: Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them, subject to the ordering of God's Word and Spirit? Elders-Elect: I will. Leader: Will you in your own life seek to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, love your neighbors, and work for the reconciliation of the world? Elders-Elect: I will. Leader: Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the Church? Elders-Elect: I do so promise. Leader: Will you seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? Elders-Elect: With God’s help, I will. Leader: Will you be a faithful Elder, watching over the people, providing for their worship, nurture and service? Will you share in government and discipline, serving in the governing bodies of the church; and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ? Elders-Elect: With God’s help, I will. Clerk of Session, Jim Gibbs: Do we, the members of the First Presbyterian Church, accept these persons as Elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ? Members of the First Presbyterian Church: We do. Clerk of Session: Jim Gibbs: Do we agree to encourage them, to respect their decisions, to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ, who alone is Head of the Church? Members of the First Presbyterian Church: We do. The congregation will stand. All Elders and Ministers of Word and Sacrament who are present are invited to come forward to place their hands on Richard Hand and LuAnne Law as the pastor leads the prayer of ordination. Following the prayer, the pastor will declare: You are now elders in the Church of Jesus Christ, and for this Congregation of God’s people. Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through him, and through him claiming the presence and power of the Holy Spirit as you continue your journeys of faith begun in your baptisms. The Clerk of Session will present Certificates of Ordination and Installation, and the Elders will welcome the new members of the Session. THE PRESENTATION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS THE OFFERTORY * THE OFFERTORY RESPONSE Aurelia Refreshed by living waters, renewed by living bread, May we, your sons and daughters, by your own hand be led. Accept the gifts we offer; receive the lives we owe. Unite us in your service; may seeds of justice grow. (from Touch Holiness, ed. Ruth C. Duck and Marian C. Tirabassi, © 1990, The Pilgrim Press) TO CELEBRATE THE LORD’S SUPPER . . . * INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE * THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them to the Lord. Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Leader: It is indeed right that we should give you thanks and praise......to pray as Jesus taught us saying, Unison: Our Father who art in heaven... (The Lord’s Prayer, Presbyterian Hymnal, page 16 traditional, using debts and debtors) COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE (Please hold the elements until all have been served.) PRAYER OF DEDICATION FOR OUR JOURNEYS God of grace and God of glory, who has called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, and through perils unknown: Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that as you heard our borning cry and rejoiced at our baptisms your hand is still leading us and your love will support us all our days, though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYERS FOR THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD TOGOOUTANDSERVE . . . * HYMN OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION No. 508 Kingdom "For the Bread Which You Have Broken" * THE CHARGE AND BENEDICTION * THE CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE Lauda Anima At the door we are commissioned, now the Easter victory’s won, to restore a world divided to the peace of Christ as one. Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter’s work must still be done. (Reprinted under OneLicense.net A-708810) * POSTLUDE * All who can do so comfortably will stand Pastor: Huw Christopher Director of Music: Lawrence R. Nelson Elder of the month: Jake Gunter Organist: Stanley Littleton Nursery Assistant: Susie Barber To Our Guests Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of Marianna. We are glad to have you worship with us today and invite you to join us each Sunday as we worship and study God’s word. If you would like more information concerning our church you may fill out one of the pew cards, talk to the ushers or the pastor, or call the church office, 526-2430. Nursery is available for infants and pre-kindergarten children during Sunday morning activities. Our Prayer Calendar: Toni Nowell, June Harrison (JoAnn Rountree’s cousin), Donald Lee (Dot Carpenter’s brother), Joshua Blighton and Nell Martin (Jackie Spivey’s aunt) A Children’s Church program will not be held this morning so that children may share in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper with their families. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is not served to children in our nursery so if they wish to receive they should remain in the service with their families this morning. All ladies are invited to attend one of the Circle Meetings which will be held at the following times and places tomorrow. Circle I will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the parlor. Circle II will meet at 4:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. Good News Women will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Cindy Morgan. At our covered dish supper on Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. the Evangelism and Fellowship Committee will be outlining their plans for the year. An introductory meeting for all young people who are interested in what it means to become a confirmed member of the Presbyterian Church through participating in a Confirmation Class will be held on Wednesday at 8 p.m. This meeting is for young people and their parents or an adult who will support them through these classes. There will be a Special Called Meeting of the Session on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall to receive a report and recommendations from the Endowment Committee. Elders in the Class of 2006 and any other interested persons are also invited to attend. Everyone is invited to share in Sunday School with us each Sunday. Next Sunday the children and young people 2 year old through 12th Grade will be studying the Woman at the Well in Samaria, based on John 4:1-30. The adults in the parlor will be studying, "Jesus is Authority and Judge" based on John 5:19-29. Upstairs in Room 2 the adult class and the Young Adult Class will be studying the texts to be used in our Worship Service: John 2:1-11 and I Corinthians 12:1-11. Make plans now to attend the annual Disciplefest sponsored by the Presbytery of Florida. Information is on the insert and in the January newsletter. The early bird discount is available through January 13. Registration forms are available from the hallway outside the fellowship, from the church office, and online at www.presbyteryofflorida.org. If you would like a scholarships to help with attendance please check with the church office. Betty will be out of the office on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Huw Christopher will be in and out of the office each of these days. If he does not happen to be in when you call, please leave a message, and he will be back in contact with you when he returns. Offering envelopes for 2007 and Liturgical Calendars for 2007, provided by Louisville Seminary, are available in the narthex and in the hall outside the fellowship hall. The PALS luncheon with a New Year challenge of some exciting games of Bible Bingo will be held on Tuesday, January 16 at 12 noon in the fellowship hall. A catered meal will be served at the cost of $5.00 per person. Reservations may be made by calling the church office (526-2430) or by e-mail to fpcmarianna@earthlink.net by noon on Monday, January 15. Reservation cards are located in the basket in the narthex and on the table in the hallway outside the fellowship hall. These can be completed and placed on the offering plate, or returned to the church office. Offering envelopes for 2007 have arrived. They are available in the narthex and in the hall outside the fellowship hall. The books that have been removed from our church library are available for anyone who would like to pick them up from the windows in the fellowship hall. They will be given away after the covered dish supper this Wednesday. The Annual Meeting of the Congregation and Corporation will be held at the conclusion of the Worship Service on Sunday, January 21. Please see the January newsletters for more details. This week in the life of the church ... Monday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Circle I will meet at 10:00 a.m in the parlor. Circle II will meet at 4:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. The Good News Women will meet at 7:00 at the home of Cindy Morgan Tuesday Administration Committee at 5:15 p.m. in the church office Wednesday Food pantry is open from 9:00 -11:00, volunteers are Hazel Nelson and Bette Giese. Choir Practice 5:15 p.m. JuBELLees practice at 5:45 p.m. Covered Dish Supper at 6:30 p.m. Youth Group at 7:00 p.m. Introductory Meeting to the Confirmation Class at 8 p.m. Thursday Special Called Meeting of the Session at 6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall Friday Ladies Exercise Class 9:00 Sunday (14th) Coffee and Juice in fellowship hall at 9:30 Sunday School at 9:45 Celebration of the Glory of God at 11 a.m.