November 5 2017 Welcome to OPC Chimes Cambridge

November 5, 2017 Welcome to OPC

Chimes “Cambridge Chimes” Welcome and Announcements Greeting Each Other Ringing of the Bell

Prelude “Marche Triomphale” ~Karg-Elert Lighting of the candles

*CALL TO WORSHIP L: Spirit of God, descend on our hearts today. P: God, send your Spirit to fill us with love and hope. L: From the moment of his Baptism by John, Jesus knew he was claimed by God.

P: May we know this day that we, too, are claimed by our Creator and God. L: Holy One of Israel, help us to remember our baptism this day. P: May we be filled with all the riches God has to offer.

L: Lord, open our hearts and spirits to hear your call to us. P: Give us wisdom and courage to follow you always. L: Let us worship God! P: Let us worship God!

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 1 O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end; Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my friend;

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 1 I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my guide.

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 2 O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near; I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 2 My foes are ever near me, around me and within; But, Jesus, draw Thou nearer and shield my soul from sin.

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 3 O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still, Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 3 O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control; O speak, and make me listen, Thou guardian of my soul.

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 4 O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be;

*Hymn #388 “O Jesus, I Have Promised” v. 4 And, Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, my Master and my friend.

*PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) God of compassion and caring, have mercy upon each of us this day. In our daily lives, we are committed to many people and things –

unfortunately you are not always one of them. Too often we choose our own needs and wants over your hope and way for us. You have claimed each of us as your own, yet we

ignore that claim. We look to other people and things to make us whole. Forgive us and strengthen us to live into your claim on our lives.

Help us to live and love as disciples and followers of your Son, Jesus the Christ. (Silence is observed for individual reflection and prayer)

ASSURANCE OF PARDON L: Sisters and brothers, God tears open the heavens and sends forgiveness into your lives. Feel the cleansing power and love of God in your heart this day and know that God has forgiven you.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON P: Thanks be to the God of Water, who cleanses us and forgives us our sins. Amen.

CHOIR ANTHEM “Communion Song” ~James Stevens Flute: Janine Resch

PROCLAIMING THE WORD SCRIPTURE READING: Isaiah 43: 1 -7

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life.

Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up’, and to the south, ‘Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from

the end of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. ’

SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 1: 4 -11

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him,

and were baptized in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I

is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. ’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by

John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. ’

L: This is the Word of the Lord. P: Thanks be to God!

“Claimed” Rev. Tedd Pullano

Presentation Hear the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. ” (Matthew 28: 18 -20)

Obeying the Word of Our Lord Jesus, and confident of His promises, we baptize those whom God has called. In baptism God claims us, and seals us to show that we belong to God frees us from sin and death, uniting us with Jesus Christ in his death and

resurrection. By water and the Holy Spirit, we are made members of the church, the body of Christ, and joined to Christ’s ministry of love, peace, and justice. Let us, each and everyone, remember with joy your own baptism, as we celebrate this sacrament.

Elder: On behalf of the Session, I present Mackenzie Emma Bigelow, daughter of Sherry and Jamie, to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Questions Sherry and Jamie, do you desire that Mackenzie be baptized? I do. Relying on God’s grace, do you promise to live the Christian faith, and to teach that faith to your child? I do.

Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to nurture Mackenzie; do you promise to tell her the good news of the Gospel, and by word and deed, with love and prayer, guide her, nurture her and encourage her to know and follow Christ,

to strengthen her family ties with the household of God and to be a faithful member of Christ’s church? Congregation: WE DO.

Profession of Faith Through baptism we enter the covenant God has established. Within this covenant God claims us as God’s own child and gives us new life, guards us from evil, and nurtures us in love.

In embracing that covenant, we choose whom we will serve, by turning away from evil, and turning toward Jesus Christ. I ask you, therefore, to reject sin, to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, and to confess the faith of the church, the faith in which we baptize.

Renunciations and Affirmations Sherry and Jamie, trusting in the gracious mercies of God, do you renounce evil, and its power in the world, which defies God’s righteousness and love? I renounce them.

Do you renounce the ways of sin that separate you from the love of God? I renounce them. Who is your Lord and Savior? Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love? I will.

Profession With this whole congregation, let us confess our faith. Do you believe in God the Father Almighty? I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ? I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he was raised; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water We give you thanks, Eternal God, for you nourish and sustain all living things by the gift of water. In the beginning of time, your Spirit moved over the watery chaos, calling forth order and life.

In the time of Noah, you destroyed evil by the waters of the flood, giving righteousness a new beginning. You led Israel out of slavery through the waters of the sea, into the freedom of the Promised Land.

In the waters of the Jordan, you claimed Jesus as he was baptized by John and anointed with your Holy Spirit. By the baptism of his own death and resurrection, Christ has set us free from sin and death and opened the way to eternal life.

We thank you, O God, for the Water of baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. From it we are raised to share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Gracious God, pour out your Spirit upon us and upon this water, that it may be your womb of deliverance and new birth for Mackenzie. Claim her through it so she may have the power to do your will, and continue forever in the risen life of Christ.

To you be all praise, honor, and glory; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns forever. Amen.

The Baptism Mackenzie, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen.

The Blessing O Lord, uphold Mackenzie by your Holy Spirit. Give her the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and

forever. Amen. Mackenzie, child of the covenant, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism, and marked as Christ’s own forever. Amen.

Welcome Mackenzie is now received into the one holy universal and apostolic church. Through baptism, God has made her a member of the household of God.

I charge you, the people of this congregation, to nurture and to love her, and to assist her to be a faithful disciple of Christ. Let us pray:

Almighty God, giver of all life, you have called us by name and claimed us, and you have pledged to each of us your faithful love. We pray for your child Mackenzie. Watch over her as she grows in faith, and help her to know you.

We also pray for her parents, Sherry and Jamie. Help them to know you, to love with your love, to teach your truth and to tell the story of Jesus to their daughter. And help us all, O God, to love and support her,

and to encourage her in the faith that together we may strengthen the entire family of God. Amen. With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome Mackenzie into Christ’s church to share with us in

his ministry, for we are all one in Christ. May God remind us of the promises given in our own baptism, and renew our trust in God that we may be made strong to obey God’s will,

and to serve God with joy; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

*HYMN #498 “Child of Blessing…” v. 1 Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit’s sign, With this water God has sealed you Unto love and grace divine.

*HYMN #498 “Child of Blessing…” v. 2 Child of love, our love’s expression, Love’s creation, loved indeed! Fresh from God, refresh our spirits, Into joy and laughter lead.

*HYMN #498 “Child of Blessing…” v. 3 Child of joy, our dearest treasure, God’s you are, from God you came. Back to God we humbly give you: Live as one who bears Christ’s name.

*HYMN #498 “Child of Blessing…” v. 4 Child of God, your loving Parent, Learn to listen for God’s call. Grow to laugh and sing and worship, Trust and love God more than all.

OFFERING OUR GIFTS TO GOD OFFERTORY INVITATION Offertory “Sarabande” ~Corelli

*DOXOLOGY #593 Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen (x 7)

*Prayer of Dedication (unison) Loving God, out of your great love you have claimed us and given us so much, including your very self. We respond by offering these gifts, and our lives,

to spread the Good News of Jesus’ life and love. We pray that you will empower us with your Spirit to be faithful witnesses, praising your name now and forever. Amen.

RESPONDING TO THE WORD JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PASTORAL PRAYER

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER All who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are invited to participate in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Table. With parental permission, baptized children are welcome to partake in the Sacrament as well.

*INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE L: Brothers and sisters in Christ, as we walk along the roads of our journeys, I invite you to come to this feast and be blessed. At this table we meet and experience Christ’s presence.

*HYMN #516 “Lord, We Have Come” v. 1 Lord, we have come at Your own invitation, Chosen by You, to be counted Your friends;

*HYMN #516 “Lord, We Have Come” v. 1 Yours is the strength that sustains dedication, Ours a commitment we know never ends.

*THE GREAT PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING L: May God the Creator, God the Redeemer, God the Healer be with you. P: And also with you. L: Lift up your hearts! P: We lift them up to the Lord!

L: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P: It is right to give God thanks and praise. L: Lord God Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, foundation of all there is, you formed us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life.

When we turned away and our love failed, your love remained steadfast and you continued to instruct us in your holy ways. You delivered us from captivity, made a covenant with us to be our sovereign God, and spoke love to us through your prophets.

So with your people on earth and all the company of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: P: Holy, holy Lord, God of love and hope, heaven and earth are full of your glory and love. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. L: In sending Jesus the Christ, the obedient one, you revealed to all how your love works. He preached and restored and redeemed. He brought healing everywhere he went. He put total trust in you –

trust even unto death. For that we are deeply thankful. So, here in this holy time of celebration, here at the sacred feast you prepared for us, we would speak of that mystery we call faith: P: We remember Christ’s death; we remember Christ’s resurrection; We remember Christ will come again in glory.

L: God of Light, let your Holy Spirit move in power and love over us and over these earthly gifts of bread and wine. By our sharing of them may we experience the mystery of the true communion of the body and blood of Christ, and may we be strengthened to carry his healing to all who are in need.

The Lord’s Prayer (unison) Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come; thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

*WORDS OF INSTITUTION L: On the night he was arrested, while they were eating, Jesus reached over, took some bread, and gave thanks to God. Then he broke it, and gave it to his disciples and told them,

*WORDS OF INSTITUTION “Take this and eat it. This is my body, given for you. Do this remembering me and my example. ” In the same way he took the cup from the table and said, “This cup I have here is the new covenant, new hope,

*WORDS OF INSTITUTION which will be sealed in my blood, which I will shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Whenever you drink it, remember me. ” Jesus tells us boldly: “I am the bread of life. If any of you come to me, you won’t be hungry;

*WORDS OF INSTITUTION if any of you believe in me, you will never be thirsty. ” Friends, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the saving death of the risen Lord until he comes – and you experience the grace of God.

SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP Distribution of the Bread (bread is gluten free) (to symbolize our common experience of God’s grace, please retain the bread until all have been served).

SHARING OF THE BREAD AND CUP Distribution of the Cup (to symbolize our individual experience of God’s grace, please drink the cup as it is served).

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION All: Gracious God, we give you thanks for satisfying our longing hearts with this holy meal shared in the Spirit with Jesus, your Son, our Lord. Strengthened and refreshed,

we go from here to be his restoring presence in the world through sincere words, healing peace, and service to others, shaped by unconditional love. This we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BEARING AND FOLLOWING THE WORD INTO THE WORLD

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 1 Today we all are called to be Disciples of the Lord, To help to set the captive free, make plowshare out of sword,

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 1 To feed the hungry, quench their thirst, make love and peace our fast, To serve the poor and homeless first, our ease and comfort last.

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 2 God made the world and at its birth ordained our human race To live as stewards of the earth, responding to God’s grace.

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 2 But we are vain and sadly proud, we sow not peace but strife, Our discord spreads a deadly cloud that threatens all of life.

*BENEDICTION

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 3 Pray justice may come rolling down as in a mighty stream, With righteousness in field and town to cleanse us and redeem.

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 3 For God is longing to restore an earth where conflicts cease, A world that was created for a harmony of peace.

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 4 May we in service to our God act out the living Word, And walk the road the saints have trod till all have seen and heard.

*Hymn #434 “Today We All Are Called to Be…” v. 4 As stewards of the earth may we give thanks in one accord To God who calls us all to be Disciples of the Lord.

Postlude “A Joyous Air” ~Purcell