September 17th, 2000 - “Baptism & Recovenanting”
How we understand the person and ministry of Jesus is central to Christian self-understanding. How can we follow as disciples when we are not clear about the One who is leading? Yet the gospel passage reminds us that the struggle to understand the real significance of Jesus is as vital for us as it was for the first disciples. Like Wisdom, Jesus calls his disciples into a relationship of learning that is as life-long as it is life-giving.
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude “Children of the Heavenly Father” by R. Hughes
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Good morning and welcome! We say hello to old friends and we say a very friendly welcome to all who have come to this church for the first time.
All: We are all part of God’s family, united in God’s love and ready to do God’s work!
One: Let us celebrate being together, and with our songs and prayers let us celebrate God’s presence in our midst.
God of all the seasons, we give you thanks for the beginning of another school year and for another year with our church family. Help us to remember that there are no favourites in your sight, we are all welcome in this place. Amen.
Hymn #644 “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry”
(During the singing of this hymn – those sharing in the service of Baptism please join James on the Chancel. Children, please come forward and sit at the front, on the floor so you can share in the baptismal service.)
Baptismal Elder Margaret Taylor: On behalf of the Board of Westminster United Church, I present the following children for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism:
Jocelyn Clara Kohls Walters Kyla Sierra Smith Taylor Ashley Hanson
daughter of daughter of daughter of
Shauna Kohls Walters & Brian Walters Shantele & Troy Smith Kimberly & Warren Hanson
“Do you desire to have your child baptised and do you accept the responsibility of acting and speaking on your child’s behalf?”
…I do, by the Grace of God.
“Do you believe in the love of God?
…Yes, I do.
Do you believe that God is made known to us in Jesus of Nazareth, who lived and died and lives again?
…Yes, I do.
Do you believe that the Spirit of God is active in the world to direct and
strengthen you?
…Yes, I do.
Will you endeavour to explore the Christian life with your child and to journey along side your child in search of ever deepening spiritual realities?
…I will, God being my helper.
Baptismal Promises of the Congregation (Please stand)
Do you receive these children with love and concern?
…Yes, we do
As a baptised and baptising church, do you commit yourselves to support and nurture these persons within a community which worships God, resists evil and seeks justice?
…I do, God being my helper
Do you promise to assist in the Christian education of the children who seek the spiritual guidance and nurture of this church by providing the learning, resources, leadership and opportunities that will be required?
…Yes, I do so promise, God being my helper. (Please be seated)
Let us Pray
Benevolent and holy God, we bless you for the gift of life, and, within it, the gift of water. Over its unshaped promise your Spirit hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth. Through water you led the children of Israel to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan your Child, Jesus, was baptised. Now may your Spirit be upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all of new life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
The Baptismal Elder pours the water.
The Baptism (All relatives and friends of the children who are being baptised are asked to stand where they are seated in the pew).
_____________________, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit, the God who has created and is creating; Jesus Christ, the word made flesh; and the Holy Spirit who works in us and others. With the sign of the Cross, you are marked as Christ's forever.”
Laying on of Hands
(The family, elder, and minister place their hands on the person baptised to indicate the action of the Holy Spirit.)
__________________, “the power of the Holy Spirit work within you, that
being born of water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ.”
People Respond: “Amen.”
In the name of Jesus Christ, who was baptised as you are now, I affirm that you
are baptised into the struggle for the shalom of God.
Hymn # 340 “Jesus, Friend of Little Children”
Recovenanting
One: Let us now make a covenant together with God and with each other as we begin another year as a church family and as a community of faith. We offer the gifts of those who give us their time and talents of music, by singing in the choir and playing musical instruments; to our minister of music who gives musical leadership each week; and to everyone whose hearts sing of the joy of music that touches young and old.
All: We promise to support you with love as we all try to live God’s Way.
One: We offer the gifts of those who take up God’s call by leading Sunday School classes, youth groups, mid-week programs or study groups; and everyone who journeys in life and faith.
All: We promise to support you with love as we all try to live God’s Way.
One: We offer the gifts of those who give their time and wisdom by serving on committees that help make decisions about the life and witness of the church; those who offer their money for the work of the church; and everyone who offers their dreams and visions for how the church might be in the world today.
All: We promise to support you with love as we all try to live God’s Way.
One: We offer the gifts of those who read and greet and make coffee; those who take care of our church building; those who look after and prepare the things we use in worship; and everyone who worships with us.
All: We promise to support you with love as we all try to live God’s Way.
One: We also make covenant with you, God, and with each other, to make sure that in our circle, everyone is welcome and that no one is excluded, and everyone’s gifts are received with love.
All: We promise to be loving, respectful and welcoming of all your people as we all try to live in your Way.
Children leave for their Sunday School Classes
We Remain in God’s Presence Through Confession
Prayer of Confession (Unison)
God, Many have gone before us who have put everything on the line for you. They have withstood doubt and fear, persecution, poverty, and despair because they believed in your leadership and loved your law. Forgive us when we put our trust in powers and
promises other than your own. Help us to fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith…(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
God loves us and forgives us. God gives us the chance to begin again. Thanks be to God.
Biblical Notes
Wisdom Calls
James 3:1-12 From the Epistle pg. 286
The Tongue
Peter’s Declaration about Jesus & Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
Hymn #567 “Will You Come and Follow Me”
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb, if I were a wise man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him – give my heart.
God, we offer you these gifts as a symbol of the covenant we have made with you to share all that we have with one another. We ask that you accept the gifts of our time and talent as another church year begins, that we may build your church, that our dreams and visions of justice and peace may become a reality. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Hymn #713 “I See A New Heaven”
Commissioning (One)
One: As we leave this place and time of worship, may we go, ready to offer
all that we have, may we go with faith, ready to do your work, for you have called us once again to follow in your Way of love and justice for everyone.
All: And may the blessing of God, our end and our beginning, be with us now and always.
Choral Amen
#298 “When You Walk From Here”
When you walk from here, when you walk from here. Walk with justice, walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.
Postlude “On This Glad Day” by C. Nordman