November 18th, 2001 -“Baptism & Membership Sunday”
The passages today assure us that God continues to create the world even in the face of war, famine, plagues, or conflict. We may not know the specifics of what’s next but we do know that God meets us there. We are also reminded that we experience God now and we are working with God, co-creating the future.
Prelude
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship Responsive from the back of the bulletin
Prayer of Approach Unison from the back of the bulletin
Jr. Choir “Come Lord Jesus” by Carey Landry
Hymn #644 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” vs. 1-4
Baptismal Elder, Margaret Taylor: On behalf of the Board of Westminster United Church, I present Ethan Lee Noble for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism:
Ethan Lee Noble
Son of
Cori and Ted Noble
“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 Ethan and to journey
along side him in search of ever deepening spiritual realities?
…I will, God being my helper.
Baptismal Promises of the Congregation (Please stand)
Do you receive this child with love and concern?
…Yes, we do
As a baptised and baptising church, do you commit yourselves to support and nurture Ethan 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 this child who seeks 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 Ethan are asked to stand where they are seated in the pew).
Ethan Lee “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.”
People Respond: “Amen.”
Laying on of Hands
(The parents, elder, and minister place their hands on Ethan to indicate the action of the Holy Spirit.)
Ethan, “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.”
The Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord’s face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you
The light of the Lord’s countenance be upon you, and give you peace.
Hymn #644 “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” vs. 5-7
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
We Remain in God’s Presence Through Confession
Compassionate and merciful God, we confess that we sometimes ignore our responsibilities to you and to humanity. If ever we trample on the rights of others while asserting our own right forgive us. If ever we sit by on the sidelines, doing nothing, but criticizing those who do, forgive us. If ever, by our example and deed, we hurt little ones or cause them to do wrong, forgive us. Grant that our lives might be flavoured with the Spirit of Jesus, as salt flavours food…(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
God’s word to us is a world of forgiveness, a word of assurance, a word of grace. We are loved and accepted because we are we and God is God and nothing can finally separate us from God. Amen.
Reception of New Members By Transfer
& Reaffirmation of Faith
Alice Brehmer, Chair of Visitation & Membership: We now welcome into this congregation persons who are already members of the United Church of Canada and have served within another congregation or come to us from another denomination.
I present to you: Lesley Berg, Sandra Oancia & Jeanette Merrick so that they may be received into this congregation.
James: I ask you, therefore, before God and these people, Do you profess anew your faith in God who has created you, in Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, and in the Holy Spirit, your Teacher and Guide?
Answer: I do.
James: Do you declare your intention to join with the people of Westminster United Church as we seek the presence of God among us through study and prayer; and do you now express your hope to enter into the life and work of this church as you support it with your gifts and share in its mission to all people?
Answer: I do, God being my helper.
James: Let us rise to receive these new members.
Cong: In the name of Jesus Christ we welcome you to the privileges and responsibilities of membership in this congregation. Be among us as eager participants in worship, join with us as seekers after truth and walk with us as co-workers in the struggle for the kingdom of God.
All: As God has called us, we pledge to you our friendship,
our help and our prayers.
One: God who makes all things new, affirming your promises and renewing our hopes, we give thanks for Lesley Berg, Sandra Oancia & Jeanette Merrick, who have been moved this day to declare again the faith that stirs within them. Give us all a renewed vision of your purposes and use our strengths and our weakness as our gift to you. For the promise of the gift of peace that we meet in your presence we give you thanks and praise through Christ who makes us one. Amen.
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
Biblical Notes
The New Creation
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 From the Epistle Pg. 258
Pray for Us
Hymn #589 “Lord, Speak to Me”
Troubles and Persecutions (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Chris
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
For the gift of creation, the gift of your love, and the gift of the Spirit by which we live, we thank you and give you the fruit of our hands. May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.
Thank you, God, for the opportunity to share in your creative and restorative work among people. These offerings express our gratitude and our aspiration to be more fully your own loyal community. Amen.
Hymn #326 “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”
Commissioning (One)
Go gladly into the world. Be filled with the love of God. Dance to the song of the Spirit. Befriend the Christ in each new day.
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
Thought For Today
“Things turn out best for the people who make the best out of the way things turn out.”
by Art Linkletter