First Sunday after the Epiphany: Baptism of the Lord
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
*Opening Hymn No. 138 Holy, Holy, Holy
*Prayer of Invocation and Joy (unison)
God of all people and all places. Like the magi we would journey into the presence of Jesus. There we would offer our gifts: before Christ, we would lay the realities of our lives, good and bad. We offer our joy, love, and laughter that they might be made holy; we relinquish our fears, our hatred and our worry that we might be made whole once more, through the living Spirit of Christ. Amen
Scripture Reading Isaiah 43:1-7
*Children’s Time Wendy Donnell
*Children proceed to Church School My Soul is Anchored in the Lord Douglas Miller
Gospel Reading Mark 1:4-11
Morning Meditation Rev. June Cooper
Musical Selection God is Good Jonathan Mc Reynolds
Pastoral Prayer/Lord’s Prayer (“Our father and mother… trespasses”)
*Hymn of Departure (insert) Oh How I Love Jesus
*Assurance and Blessing
Postlude
*Please stand if able
During this time of covid caution we welcome all
to safe, cautious congregational assembly.
It is good to worship together.
To care for one another we wear masks
(except for worship leaders while they are speaking/singing)
and note that all of our leaders are vaccinated.
Cleaning has increased and we welcome your questions.
We have a touch-free offering today
That is, you may leave a gift in the basket,
deliver an envelope after worship, send a gift
via email or online, or any touch-free method you wish
Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC
54 Lincoln Street, Newton, MA
www.nhcc.net 617 527 3898
Thanks to worship leader Rev. June Cooper, Wendy Donnell, guest musicians Myran and Kenneth Brass, deacons Carol Jensen, Isabelle Draper and
Amanda Ketchpaw Palés.
NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.