This morning’s service will be held via Zoom at 10.00 a.m.  The link for the service is https://bit.ly/3b2gtjz
Full details on how to access the Zoom service can be found here.

The Order of Service

Led by Revd. George Mwaura

Jesus’ Baptism

Gathering:

Greetings:

Opening words:

Come, my sisters and brothers and let us honour the powerful glory of our Creator God. Let us worship God’s majesty in the splendour of holiness. Amen.

1 Lord God, how awesome you are. Your voice is powerful and majestic.
2 Once, the earth was without shape, dark and empty.
1 Then you spoke, awesome God.
2 And light shone.
1 You separated the light from the darkness.
2 The whole world changed.
3 You later sent your Son, Jesus.
4 To live and walk among us on the earth.
3 His ministry heralded by John the Baptist.
4 Who baptized Jesus in the Jordan.
3 The whole world changed.
4 The sky split open.
3 And your Holy Spirit came down like a dove.
4 Then you spoke, awesome God. And continue to speak today through your Holy Spirit.
All: Majestic, awesome, all-powerful God, we adore your holy name. Amen.

Hymn:

On Jordan’s Bank ….YouTube clip

Payer of the week:

Lord of all wisdom, we pray for those searching for clarity and stability, for businesses adapting to new trade agreement, for farmers and fishermen, for teachers and students amid uncertain term times and new ways of learning, for those in industries unsure when they can re-open and struggling with new regulations, for scientists challenged by new variants of the virus, for those desperate to see their families again and for each one of us. We surrender them Lord and us to your will.

All: Gracious God bless us all with the gifts of hope and courage and may we find peace in you. Amen.

Prayers of thanksgiving and confession

God, through your mighty power, the world was created. That power continues to change the world daily. We read in the Scriptures of how you changed people’s lives. We hear it in the stories of saints old and new. We know it through the experience and lives of our own communities. We thank and praise you for all that you have done through the changes you have made – and are still making in our lives. When you came into the world, as the Messiah things changed: life became filled with a new sense of purpose and peace and so we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who gives us strength, and the blessing of peace. But, Lord, sometimes we let you down by doing wrong things or failing to do right things. Sometimes, through pride, stubbornness or fear we build barriers and keep others at arm’s length – even you, Lord.  We are sorry, Lord. Help us to learn from the past and, drawing on your strength and peace, make a better future in you.

Amen.

Silence is kept for personal confession…

Absolution:

Readings:

Genesis 1:1-5

The Beginning

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  4God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Mark 1:4-11

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Reflections

Silent meditation…

Intercessions & Lord Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.  For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

Amen

Dismissal and blessings

Lord, help us to be open to your prompting  as we seek to discover what you would have us be and do. Remind as again and again that you have promised to be our guide and companion on our journey. Help us to look forward with renewed commitment and bless our thinking, speaking, and doing. And the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit be with us today and always

Amen