Worship Service for January 12, 2025 – Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church

January 12, 2025 – First Sunday After The Epiphany / Baptism of The Lord

A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, January 12, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, January 12.

Previous livestreams and other worship and musical content is available on our YouTube channel. You can also check out our entire worship services archive. Our SoundCloud channel has yet more music and worship content.

Introit

Prelude

Lighting of the Christ Candle

This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.

Call to Worship

One: Beloved, God chooses us and calls us by name.
All: We belong to God. Alleluia!

One: Our lives have purpose because we belong to God.
All: We are called to be like Christ and follow him.

One: We will find joy, peace, and restoration through God’s amazing grace.
All: Let us worship God who claims us and loves us! Praise be to God!

Opening Hymn

“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 174). Words by Irish Anglican clergyman John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811–1875). Music (tune: “Moredun”) by English composer Henry Thomas Smart (1813–1879). Words and music public domain.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Creator of the sun and moon and stars, you stir in our midst to reveal your light. By the work of your Spirit, you lead us in new directions. Your beloved Son has called us to new life and by his grace, reconciles the divisions among us. Holy One, we praise you for the blessings you give us in our baptism into Christ, and through your love that surrounds us day by day. To you we give all praise, glory and honor, through Jesus Christ, who is one with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and always.

Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, but we confess that we prefer our old, familiar ways. We cling to destructive habits, we harbor grudges, and we are reluctant to welcome a stranger or forgive one another. Nostalgia for the past prevents us from exploring new possibilities. In your loving kindness, forgive us. Have mercy upon us and move among us so that we might pursue new life in Christ together.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.

Declaration of Pardon

Do not be afraid, for Christ has redeemed you. Baptized in the deep waters of death, he has washed away your sins. Risen from death, he invites you to be washed in the cleansing tide of God’s mercy. Your sins are forgiven; be at peace with God, with yourself, and with each other.
All: Thanks be to God.

The Peace

One: May the peace of Christ be with us all.
All: And also with you.

GCPC Senior Choir presents

“What a Wonderful World” Words and music (1967) by American record producer Robert “Bob” Thiele (1922–1996; credited as “George Douglas”) and American composer and arranger George David Weiss (1921–2010). This arrangement (1995) by American choral and handbell composer Ruth Artman (–2010 at age 91). Words and music copyright © 1967 Range Road Music Inc.and Quartet Music Inc. This arrangement copyright © 1995 Range Road Music Inc. and Quartet Music Inc.

Note from Music Director Brooks Gorst

“What a Wonderful Word” is that well-known song made famous by the illustrious voice of Louis Armstrong. When I hear this, I have an image of a senior citizen sitting at a park bench on a beautifully sunny day, watching children at play; I’m sure he or she has a contemplation of what life is all about, for this song is certainly a “glass half-full approach” to the gift of life. As we all look back on the year that has passed and the year that is to come, perhaps we can reflect on aspects that make this still, what a wonderful world.

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

“Jesus loves me, this I know“ (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions, and music in the public domain.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

Scripture Reading

Luke 3:15–17, 21–22 <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

Luke 3:15–17, 21–22

15 As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus

21 Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Sermon

Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, in person or on-line, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“To show by touch and word” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 763). Words (1975) by Anglo-Dutch clergyman Fred Kaan (1929–2009). Music (1974; tune “Lodwick”) by Canadian composer Ron Klusmeier (1946–). Words copyright © 1975 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music copyright © 1974 Ron Klusmeier, administered by Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Offering

The season of Epiphany begins January 6, the day celebrating the journey of the Magi to greet Christ, the new-born king. They brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. Our gifts are not so exotic, but what we offer today and throughout the year honours Jesus as Lord of our lives and Saviour of the world.

Offering – Musical Reflection

We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.

Dedication of our Gifts

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th“ with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

God our Maker, we bring our gifts to you in thanksgiving for your gifts to us in Christ and in creation. Bless what we bring and who we are, so that our gifts will bless the world you love in Christ’s name. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope

God of time and eternity: as the new year stretches before us, we thank you for the time you give us and for all those things that are still possible and precious in this gift.

We thank you for each new day and its possibilities; for each night, its rest and reflection.

We thank you for words of forgiveness and the chance to make a new start, for word of invitation to explore new opportunities.

Give us the courage to try something new and the conviction to finish things leftover from last year. Make time spent this year your time, O God. Bless our time with you.

God of moments and memories we remember before you people facing difficult times in the months ahead.

We pray for those struggling with illness, and for those facing treatment or surgery with uncertain results….

We pray for those who are grieving the loss of dear ones and for all who remember what used to be but can no longer be….

Make time spent this year your time, O God. Bless our time with you.

God of hopefulness and helpfulness, we remember those who are seeking new opportunities this year:

Those training for new employments and those looking for work;
Those developing new businesses and seeking the right employees;
And those who provide services to improve life in our communities
amid the uncertainties around us….

Give us wisdom and perseverance in what we undertake as a congregation in the face of all the changes in our community.

Make time spent this year your time, O God. Bless our time with you.

As we work together with the vision of your kingdom before us this year, fill us with love and generosity that can change the world because of your blessing. We pray we can make a difference in even the most challenging situations. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Through all the changing scenes of life” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 18). Words are a paraphrase of Psalm 34, first published in Tate and Brady’s New Version, (1696). Music (1797; tune “Wiltshire (Smart)”) by English musician George Thomas Smart (1776–1867). Words and music public domain.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

Benediction

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.

Blessing

Postlude

Last updated 2025-01-12 00:55– First version.