Service Sunday January 12, 2025
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward, B.A., M. Div.
Music Director: Melissa Stephens, B. Mus., B. Ed., A. Mus.
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Baptism of the Lord Sunday.
All are Welcome!
Watch a video recording of the whole worship service below using YouTube.
The Gathering
Welcome and Announcements.
Focusing Moment.
LIGHTING THE CHRIST CANDLE:
Fire and water are sustaining when handled with respect. Let us hold to our faith as the water of life and the light for our way.
Written by Karen Boivin, Osgoode-Kars U.C., Ottawa, Ont..
Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2024-2025, p.43. Used with permission.
Acknowledgement of Land
This land on which we gather is the Traditional land of the Anishinaabe people. They have lived and thrived here for thousands of years. We give thanks for the land and its people, and we pray that, in our worship and in our daily lives, we may honour the traditions and respect that is held for this land. Written by Peter Chynoweth, Cochrane, Alta.
Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2021-2022, p.43. Used with permission.
THE APPROACH
HYMN: “When Jesus Comes to Be Baptized” VU #100
1 When Jesus comes to be baptized,
he leaves the hidden years behind,
the years of safety and of peace,
to bear the sins of humankind.
2 The Spirit of the Lord comes down,
anoints the Christ to suffering,
to preach the word, to free the bound,
and to the mourner, comfort bring.
3 He will not quench the dying flame,
and what is bruised he will not break,
but heal the wound injustice dealt,
and out of death his triumph make.
4 O Spirit help us be like Christ:
to live in love and charity,
to walk in truth and justice now,
and grow in Christian dignity.
5 We praise you, God, source of all life,
we praise you, Christ, eternal Word,
we praise you, Spirit, gracious gift;
your triune presence fills our world.
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: With unfailing love, God calls us by name.
ALL: We long to be known and seek relationship with God.
One: Come, find refuge. Take rest and comfort in God’s shelter.
ALL: We eagerly come, seeking shelter and security. Let us worship God!
Written by Sandra Litt, St. James U.C., Waterdown, Ont.
Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2024-2025, p.43. Used with permission
OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison
Come to the edge of the sea, the barrier between you and new life, and pray for a path to freedom. Turn barriers into highways, Holy One! Come to the edge of a river, the obstacle between you and security in a new land. Turn obstacles into footpaths, Rock of Ages! Come to this time of worship and its challenge of meaning and belonging. Turn us into a people of the journey, willing to take the path, the highway to daring love. Amen.
Written by Robin Wardlaw, Toronto, Ont.
Gathering, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany 2024-2025, p.44. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC:
THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
Statement of Purpose
One: Sisters and Brothers, let us celebrate God’s gift of grace given to us in the sacrament of baptism.
ALL: There is one body and one Spirit; we have one hope in Christ.
One: There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, Creator of us all.
ALL: Before conscious thought or action on our part, we are born into the brokenness of this world. Before conscious thought or action on our part, we are surrounded by God’s redeeming love. Baptism by water in the name of the Holy Trinity is the means by which we are received, at any age, into the covenanted community of the church. It is the ritual that signifies our rebirth in faith and cleansing by the power of God. Baptism signifies the nurturing, sustaining, and transforming power of God’s love and our grateful response to that grace. [from A Song of Faith, a statement of faith of the United Church of Canada, adopted by the 39th General Council, August, 2006]
One: Out of the water of baptism we rise with new life, forgiven, renewed, and one with Christ, members of Christ’s body. Ephesians 4:4-6
Presentation of Candidate
On behalf of the congregation of Highland Hills United Church, I present this person for initiation into the body of Christ through baptism: Thomas Maxwell Austin-Ward, son of Max Ward and Amanda Austin.
Profession of Faith and Promises
Do you believe in God, who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, and who works in us and others by the Spirit?
Thomas: I do, by the grace of God.
Desiring the freedom of new life in Christ, do you seek to resist evil, and to live in love and justice?
Thomas: I will, God being my helper.
Will you proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, in your words and actions?
Thomas: I will, God being my helper.
Will you join with your brothers and sisters in this community of faith to celebrate God’s presence, live with respect in creation, and love and serve others?
Thomas: I will, God being my helper.
Congregational Commitment (please stand as you are able)
One: Let us pledge to this person our support and care.
ALL: As a baptized and baptizing people, we commit ourselves to support and uphold you within the community of faith. May God grant us all the grace to live out our baptism. Amen.
Affirmation of Faith A New Creed
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.
Prayer of Thanksgiving and the Pouring of Water
One: Gracious 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 baptized. 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.
ALL: Amen.
The Act of Baptism and Marking with the Sign of the Cross
Thomas, I baptize you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thomas, with the sign of the cross, you become one with Christ, the Anointed One.
Laying On of Hands
The Holy Spirit be upon you and within you, Thomas, child of God, disciple of Christ and member of the Church. Amen.
Declaration and Congregational Welcome
ALL: We welcome you as a member of God’s family.
We welcome you with love that you may learn to love. We welcome you with joy that you may learn of Christ’s joy. We welcome you by your name that you may know who you are. We welcome you in Christ’s name that you may know whose you are. You are a part of our family and will always find a welcome place here.
Prayer
One: O God, who loves and encourages us like a parent, be with this young man as he seeks to live out the promises he has made here today. Be his strength during long nights, his courage during trying times, his wisdom in challenging times, his hope when chaos reigns, and his forgiveness when things have gone wrong. May we surround him with love and encouragement as he journeys in faith. May we provide a supportive community as he nurtures the gift of faith within his family and as he offers God’s unconditional love to all. As followers of the way of Jesus we pray.
ALL: Amen.
HYMN: “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” VU #644
1 I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
2 I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
in a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.
3 When you heard the wonder of the word,
I was there to cheer you on;
you were raised to praise the living Lord,
to whom you now belong.
4 If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk till rising sun.
5 In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young.
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
6 When the evening gently closes in
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.
7 I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
THE WORD
Scripture: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE
“Standing on Tiptoe”
Listen to an Audio recording of the Message below or read it at the bottom of this page.
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and The Lord’s Prayer
(spoken VU #921)
HYMN: “I Am a Child of God” MV #157
1. I am a child of God,
I am a glimpse of God’s new creation.
I am a child of God,
I am a child of God.
2. I am an endless prayer,
I am a yearning for contemplation,
I am an endless prayer,
I am an endless prayer.
3. I am an angry voice,
I am compassion and consternation,
I am an angry voice,
I am an angry voice.
4. I am a cry for peace,
I am commitment and dedication,
I am a cry for peace,
I am a cry for peace.
5. I am a song of joy,
I am the moment of jubilation,
I am a song of joy,
I am a song of joy.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER:
Congregations used to pass the offering plate around, O God. That required us to reach out with hands, as if we were offering ourselves to you, showing that we are all participants in this Body-of-Christ movement called church. Reaching out with hands would remind us of our reliance upon one another and upon you, our God. In this way, we would invite you to hold on to us in our baptism, to hold on to us with grace and tender purpose. Open hands and open hearts would allow you to raise us up in the flow of the Spirit you freely pour out upon your people. Bless the work of our lives and the love of our hearts this day, offered now in so many ways. We share your desire to create better lives and a better community. Let the soul of the world be restored in an ocean of your love. Amen. Written by Jeff Werner, Trinity U.C., Acton, Ont.
Gathering, Advent 2024, page 44. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING: (VU #87 vs 2)
Refrain 'I am the light of the world!
You people come and follow me!'
If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be.
2 To find the lost and lonely one,
to heal the broken soul with love,
to feed the hungry children with warmth
and good food,
to feel the earth below, the sky above! Refrain ©
Sending Forth:
One: As you go forth from here, remember who your are:
ALL: I am (offer your name here)
One: As you go forth from here, remember whose you are:
ALL: I am a child of God and a disciple of Jesus, the Christ.
One: As you go forth, never forget to give thanks to the God who accompanies us on our journey.
ALL: Thanks be to God, for we never have to journey alone. Amen
Written by Beth W Johnston, Bridging Waters P>C., Nipawin, Sask.
Gathering, Advent, 2024, p.45. Used with permission.
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches.
Sermon 2025 01 12
“Standing on Tiptoe”
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Gracious God, be with us today in this place, in the Scriptures and in our words.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts praise your Holy name. Amen.
Luke’s account of the baptism of Jesus begins
“The people were filled with expectation.”
The New English Bible says, “the people were on tiptoe.”
Have you ever tried to stand on your tiptoes?
You can’t do it for long unless you are a ballerina.
Sooner or later you will fall in one direction or another.
You can’t just stand there on tiptoe; something will happen.
That is how the people were.
They were on their tiptoes.
They were on the edge of their seats.
Something was about to happen and they knew it.
And “What were they expecting?” you may well ask.
Why, the Messiah of course.
God had promised to send them one.
Things had gotten so bad for God’s children.
Unrighteousness was at an all-time high.
They needed a Messiah now more than ever.
It seemed that the time was right for God to send one.
On top of that, John came out of the desert where he lived a pious life of self-denial and looking like the great prophet Elijah.
And he started telling people to get ready because the kingdom was coming.
It was natural for the people to wonder, “Is John the Messiah?”
He certainly was religious and many people followed him.
John set them straight, but he also heightened their expectations.
He said, “I am not the king, but the king is coming.”
The one coming after me is much greater than I am.
I am baptizing with mere water, but the Messiah will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire.
The people were right to expect the Messiah, because God was preparing Christ and the way for Christ.
It was while the people were expecting him that John was telling them to get ready for him.
During this time Jesus was living and growing.
God the Father was waiting for the right time to call his Son into action.
The people were ready too, they were on the edge of their seats, attentive, watching and waiting to see what God would do.
They were on tiptoe!
So God responded.
God called Jesus to begin his earthly ministry of teaching.
Many believe that Jesus’ Baptism was his calling into ministry.
John the baptiser was calling the people to repent and prepare for the Messiah.
Jesus set an example for the people by responding to that call through a sign of repentance.
The Jewish ritual of Baptism was a symbolic washing.
Jesus was showing the people that they should respond to God’s call to repentance as he did.
After Jesus’ baptism a voice came from heaven.
God’s voice from heaven was a sign to Jesus that he should begin his earthly ministry.
God was saying, “Jesus you are my son, now do what the Son of God was sent to do: Save the world.”
God was pleased with the example that Jesus gave the people.
Like a proud father God said,
“Jesus, you are my son and I love you.”
And the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove.
Times haven’t changed much, people still stand on tiptoe, expecting and waiting to see what God will do.
Isn’t that why so many people get excited about predictions of the end.
They think, if there is a God he must do something.
Even religious leaders are often found to be unrighteous.
Jesus had promised to come again.
And so people expect it soon.
People are standing on tiptoe, waiting to see what will happen.
They are unsteady.
The slightest movement could push them in either direction.
Something is about to happen.
What will God do?
People look at the unrighteousness in the world and they wonder how long will God wait to do something.
They look in the streets and see the homeless.
In a world of plenty people die of starvation and exposure.
And they wonder when will God do something about this.
They look in the AIDS wards.
They see people isolated and cast off.
And they wonder when will God do something about this.
They look into the fields and they see the crosses of anger and hatred burning.
In country after country people hate one another for little or no visible reason.
Then their hatreds and prejudices are instilled in young people’s hearts and in their social structures.
And they wonder, when will God do something about this?
They look into homes and they see broken lives.
The very place where people should find refuge they find pain.
Spouse abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, families abusing one another.
And they wonder when will God do something about this?
Discouraged some even wonder if God will ever do something.
God has done something already and God will do something yet.
Our Heavenly Father called Jesus.
Jesus, God’s Son, came to preach good news to the poor; to bring sight to the blind and liberty to the oppressed.
God called Jesus to overcome death.
God will establish eternal justice and peace.
In the meantime, God has called us.
God has called us to follow Jesus.
Follow him into repentance, into cleansing and into prayer.
Then Jesus calls us to follow him into the world to live righteously.
He calls us into the streets to feed, clothe and house the needy.
He calls us into the hospital wards filled with the unwanted to show God’s mercy.
He calls us into the fields to put out the fires of hatred.
He calls us into the homes to bind the broken lives.
He calls us into the darkness of human life to bring the light to Christ.
But how can we do all that; ministering to the brokenness of the world.
We are often broken ourselves.
How can we overcome brokenness when we are often powerless?
Jesus could do it because he was God, but how can I follow him?
The answer is in a little detail in Jesus’ baptism.
After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove.
When we respond to God’s call, as Jesus did, the Spirit descends on us.
When we repent and ask God to cleanse our lives, God empowers us to minister as Christ did.
Jesus didn’t need any more power than he already had, but we do.
We need the Holy Spirit’s power.
Baptism is a symbol of God’s action of adopting us as God’s children.
As his children God assigns us certain chores.
I don’t really want to call them chores because God’s calling is a joy.
Just as God called his only begotten son to minister so God calls us adopted sons and daughters.
The task that God calls us to is too big for us alone.
But God does not abandon us as children.
God is with us through the Holy Spirit’s presence.
When you give yourself to God, the Creator will anoint you with the Holy Spirit and make you a spirit-breathing child of God.
John said, “The one who comes after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”
That is a promise from God.
Believe it!
Expect it!
Wait for it!
Stand on the tip of your toes looking for God to be at work in your life.
And as surely as the Spirit descended on Jesus, it will empower you to love others.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
