January 19, 2025
Sunday Gathering

. . . . . . . . . .

-PRELUDE-
“Down to the River to Pray”
Timmy Smallwood & Kenny Bihsop

-ACKNOWLEDGEMENT-
We acknowledge that the place where we are gathered today is the ancient and ancestral homeland of more than twenty Indigenous tribes. We mourn the loss of their lives, livelihoods, homes, and cultures, and acknowledge the legacy of violence against them. 

We acknowledge that the space where we worship today was established and built by those whose Black ancestors were also abused and mistreated - some even bought and sold as enslaved people right here in our city. 

We acknowledge the women who’ve faced unfair treatment and misogyny throughout the ages and we acknowledge those who identify as LGBTQ or other who’ve been mistreated and misunderstood. 

We acknowledge our role and responsibility as professed followers of Christ to stand for and alongside all of these and others who have been and continue to be oppressed.

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"The Family of God”

I’M SO GLAD WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY OF GOD;
AS WE DRINK FROM GOD’S FOUNTAIN
AND FEAST ON GOD’S LOVE.
WALKING WITH JESUS AS WE TRAVEL ALONG.
WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY,
THE FAM’LY OF GOD.

-WELCOME-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"The Family of God”

YOU WILL NOTICE WE’RE LIKE SIBLINGS
AND LOVED ONES ‘ROUND HERE,
IT’S BECAUSE WE’RE A FAMILY
AND WE HOLD EACH ONE NEAR.
WHEN ONE HAS A HEARTACHE,
WE ALL SHED THE TEARS
AND REJOICE IN EACH VICT’RY
IN THIS FAMILY SO DEAR.

I’M SO GLAD WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY OF GOD;
AS WE DRINK FROM GOD’S FOUNTAIN
AND FEAST ON GOD’S LOVE.
WALKING WITH JESUS AS WE TRAVEL ALONG.
WE’RE A PART OF THE FAM’LY,
THE FAM’LY OF GOD.

-CALL TO WORSHIP-
God's voice speaks to our chaos,
echoing in our empty hearts.
GATHERING US TOGETHER
TO REMEMBER OUR BAPTISM
AND TO FEAST AT THE TABLE.

God's voice flows like

the living waters of grace,

OUR NEW NAME, 'BELOVED,'

RESOUNDING IN OUR SOULS.

God's voice stirs

the waters of baptismal hope,

CALLING US TO BE BEARERS OF PEACE

TO A WORLD OF BROKEN HOPES.

Let us worship God, who calls us by name.

-PRAYER-

-GREETING ONE ANOTHER-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” 

YOU HAVE COME DOWN TO THE LAKESHORE
SEEKING NEITHER THE WISE NOR THE WEALTHY,
BUT ONLY ASKING FOR ME TO FOLLOW.

O JESUS, YOU HAVE LOOKED INTO MY EYES;
KINDLY SMILING, YOU’VE CALLED OUT MY NAME.
ON THE SAND I HAVE ABANDONED MY SMALL BOAT;
NOW WITH YOU I WILL SEEK OTHER SEAS.

YOU KNOW FULL WELL MY POSSESSIONS.
NEITHER TREASURE NOR WEAPONS FOR CONQUEST,
JUST THESE MY FISHNETS AND WILL FOR WORKING.

O JESUS, YOU HAVE LOOKED INTO MY EYES;
KINDLY SMILING, YOU’VE CALLED OUT MY NAME.
ON THE SAND I HAVE ABANDONED MY SMALL BOAT;
NOW WITH YOU I WILL SEEK OTHER SEAS.

YOU NEED MY HANDS, MY EXHAUSTION,
WORKING LOVE FOR THE REST OF THE WEARY-
A LOVE THAT’S WILLING TO GO ON LOVING.

O JESUS, YOU HAVE LOOKED INTO MY EYES;
KINDLY SMILING, YOU’VE CALLED OUT MY NAME.
ON THE SAND I HAVE ABANDONED MY SMALL BOAT;
NOW WITH YOU I WILL SEEK OTHER SEAS.

YOU WHO HAVE FISHED OTHER WATERS;
YOU, THE LONGING OF SOULS THAT ARE YEARNING:
AS LOVING FRIEND, YOU HAVE COME TO CALL ME.

O JESUS, YOU HAVE LOOKED INTO MY EYES;
KINDLY SMILING, YOU’VE CALLED OUT MY NAME.
ON THE SAND I HAVE ABANDONED MY SMALL BOAT;
NOW WITH YOU I WILL SEEK OTHER SEAS. 

-SCRIPTURE-
Luke 3: 21-22 (MSG) 

After all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized. As he was praying, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my [Beloved Child], chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life.”

-SERMON-
“Claimed by Love”
Pam Lee-Miller

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Child of Blessing, Child of Promise” 

CHILD OF BLESSING, CHILD OF PROMISE,
BAPTIZED WITH THE SPIRIT’S SIGN,
WITH THIS WATER GOD HAS SEALED YOU
UNTO LOVE AND GRACE DIVINE.

CHILD OF LOVE, OUR LOVE’S EXPRESSION,
LOVE’S CREATION, LOVED INDEED!
FRESH FROM GOD, REFRESH OUR SPIRITS;
INTO JOY AND LAUGHTER LEAD.

CHILD OF JOY, OUR CLEAREST TREASURE,
GOD’S YOU ARE, FROM GOD YOU CAME.
BACK TO GOD WE HUMBLY GIVE YOU:
LIVE AS ONE WHO BEARS CHRIST’S NAME.

CHILD OF GOD, YOUR LOVING PARENT,
LEARN TO LISTEN FOR GOD’S CALL.
GROW TO LAUGH AND SING AND WORSHIP;
TRUST AND LOVE GOD MORE THAN ALL. 

-BAPTISMS-

-SPECIAL MUSIC-
“Child of God”
Daniel Beasley

-COMMUNION-
“Prayer” – arr. J. M. Stevens

-OFFERING-

-THANKS TO THOSE WHO SERVE-

-ANNOUNCEMENTS-

-INVITATION TO RESPOND-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Rain Down” 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

FAITHFUL AND TRUE IS THE WORD OF OUR GOD.
ALL OF GOD'S WORKS ARE SO WORTHY OF TRUST.
GOD'S MERCY FALLS IN THE DAY AND THE NIGHT;
FULL OF GOD'S LOVE IS THE EARTH.

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

ALL WHO REVERE AND FIND HOPE IN OUR GOD
LIVE IN THE KINDNESS AND JOY OF GOD'S WING.
GOD WILL BE WITH US THROUGH DARKNESS AND DEATH;
GOD WILL NOT LEAVE US ALONE.

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

-BLESSING & BENEDICTION-

-SINGING TOGETHER-
"Rain Down” 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE.
RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN,
RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

. . . . . . . . . .  

-THE TEAM-

ACCOMPANIST: Brenda Gardiner,  Lisa Loeffler, Timmy Smallwood

BUILDING CARE: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson

FACILITIES CARE: Edmond Edwards, Lisa Loeffler, Kathy Lyons, Steve Melton, Barry Thompson, Seth Tuska

NURSERY: Linda Netherton

PHOTOGRAPHY: Cynthia Buckner

PROPERTY CARE: West Gillium, Lee Hamilton, Morgan Hamilton, Lorie Yaste

SERVICE PREPARATION: Travis Hines, Keith Reid, Barry Thompson

SONG LEADER: Chris Prichard, Lisa Loeffler, Chris Cook

TECH: Nancy Alspach, Mason Bishop, Dale Hamilton,  Morgan Hamilton, Timmy Smallwood