“No matter who you are or where you are on life’s
journey, you are invited and welcome here.”
A Just Peace and Open and Affirming congregation
January 10, 2021
10:00 a.m.
First Sunday after Epiphany~Baptism of Christ
PRELUDEINTRODUCTORY REMARKS
• If you can have multiple tabs or windows open on your device, you can pull up the bulletin for this service by going to urbucc.org, words to the Prayer of Jesus and closing Hymn will be on your screen as we go through the service.
• If you want to take a moment to set up your space for whatever helps you pray, meditate, or be mindful of God’s presence, please do that. A candle or cross or Bible or whatever helps you. Also, minimize distractions, like phones or alarms.
• We will be asking you to jot some things down, which you may be able to do on the device you are using to watch this or get a pad of paper and pen/pencil.
• Later in the service we will read from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1, so if you have a Bible handy you might want to get it and turn to that passage. We will be reading from the Inclusive Bible, so you can compare it with your translation.
GREETING
“There will be days when you feel defeated, exhausted, and plain old beat-up by life’s whiplash. People you love will disappoint you - and you will disappoint them. You'll probably struggle with some kind of mortal appetite. Some days it will feel as though the veil between Heaven and Earth is made of reinforced concrete.”
Sheri L. Dew, author, publisher, and executive vice president of Deseret Management Corporation
CALLING OUR ATTENTION TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD
What gets in the way of perceiving God in your life? Are you too busy? Are you too distracted by other things? Are you afraid of what might happen if you become closer to God? Sometimes, it is our own preconceptions that get in the way. If we think of God only as “enforcer,” watching us to see if we break the rules, then we will probably miss God as “divine lover,” yearning for our devotion. If we think of God as a Puppet Master, pulling the strings of our lives, we will certainly miss God as Playful Parent, delighting in our growth and creativity. In any event, it is crucial that we stay open to the God who is yet to be revealed, instead of looking only for the God we already know. How, in these next moments of worship, will we set aside what we think we know, so that God may come afresh into our lives?
SONG OF HOPE “A Baptism Carol” Jane Foster Knox
Tom Rendon, Vocalist Mark Wilson TAKING STOCK OF OUR BLESSINGS AND RESOURCES
Urbandale
United
Church of
Christ
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PRAYER OF GRATITUDEGod of mystery and grace, revealed to us both in challenge and in blessing, We thank you for the paragons of faith who have demonstrated what is possible when we put our trust in you and our energies into the work to which we are called. We are grateful for the medical workers and the people whose work is essential and ask that you keep them safe. We thank you for the scientific knowledge that brings us vaccines, and the people who know how to administer them. We thank you for those who stand between us and chaos, who study tactics and skills needed when angry mobs wreak havoc in our cherished institutions. And we thank you for those who stand resolute in order to demonstrate the highest principles and values of our democracy. May we, as your children, cultivate the highest principles of our faith, practicing forgiveness, compassion, justice and inclusion even of those who seek our destruction. Amen.
SCRIPTURE Mark 1:4-11 (The Inclusive Bible)
4And so John the Baptizer appeared in the desert, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins. 5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to John and
were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6John was clothed in camel’s hair
and wore a leather belt around his waist, and he ate nothing but grasshoppers and wild honey. 7In the
course of his preaching, John said, “One more powerful than I is to come after me. I am not fit to stoop and untie his sandal straps. 8I have baptized you in water, but the One to come will baptize you in the
Holy Spirit.”
9It was then Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan River by John. 10Immediately upon coming out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on
him like a dove. 11Then a voice came from the heavens: “You are my Beloved, my Own. On you my
favor rests.”
Greek prepositions are notoriously vague. In verse 8 of this passage, the preposition “with” could also be translated “in.” That would seem to fit a baptism “in” a river, but it challenges our preconceptions to say that we will be baptized “in” the Holy Spirit. Yet for some, being immersed in the Holy Spirit is exactly how they characterize their experience of the Divine. What is the best way for you to describe how you experience God?
MEDITATION “Tore Apart!” Pastor David Sickelka
PASTORAL PRAYER
Take a moment now to check your own prayer list. Add the names that need to go on it, review the names of those for whom you have been praying. Has an answer or resolution come? If so, make gratitude known to others.
LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING HYMN “What Ruler Wades through Murky Streams” Hymnal 169
BLESSING
Carry your baptism now into the world that longs for God’s touch. Be free with God’s love and grace as God has freely bestowed them on you. And prepare for God to tear apart anything that stands between you and God, because the purposes of God cannot be denied by the feeble barricades we put in place to avoid God. God will tear heaven and earth to be in our midst, now and forever. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
O God, our heavenly Father and Mother,
may your name be sacred to us.
May your realm become a reality for us.
May your desires be fulfilled among us
as they are in your courts.
Give us today what we need for life.
And forgive us for our wrongs
as we forgive those who wrong us.
Guide us in tempting situations,
and protect us from the power of evil.
For the realm that is coming,
the power that is growing, and the glory
that is building, all belong to you forever.
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“What Ruler Wades through Murky Streams”
Hymnal 169
What ruler wades through murky streams and bows beneath the wave,
Ignoring how the world esteems the powerful and brave?
Refrain:
Water, River, Spirit, Grace, sweep over me, sweep over me!
Recarve the depths your fingers traced in sculpting me.
Christ gleams with water brown with clay from land the prophets trod.
Above while heaven’s clouds give way descends the dove of God.
Refrain:
Water, River, Spirit, Grace, sweep over me, sweep over me!
Recarve the depths your fingers traced in sculpting me.
Come bow beneath the flowing wave. Christ stands here at your side
and raises you as from the grave God raised the crucified.
Refrain:
Water, River, Spirit, Grace, sweep over me, sweep over me!
Recarve the depths your fingers traced in sculpting me.
This Week at UUCC
Sunday, January 10 10:00 am Worship
Special Music: Tom Rendon 10:30 am Fellowship Hour
11:30 am PreK-5th Grade Sunday School
Thursday, January 14 7:00 pm Leadership Team Saturday, January 16 9:30 am UUCC Women
Upcoming Sundays
Sunday, January 17
10:00 am Worship
10:30 am Fellowship Hour
Sunday, January 24
10:00 am Worship
10:30 am Fellowship Hour
11:30 am PreK-5th Grade Sunday School
ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING OF THE CONGREGATION, 2021
Mark your calendars for our congregational annual budget meeting
January 31
stimmediately following worship via Zoom. We will be voting on the 2021 budget.
Please register in advance for the meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lc-yvqDkoH9zkFISH2SI6kVGGSc6V346C
. After registering, you will receive a
confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Little Free Pantry
We need your help to restock the panty. You are also invited to use it, and let people know about it. Please DO NOT leave donations of food or clothing outside the building when no one is present. Call or email the church office to arrange a drop off time.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
UCAN Clothing Closet
Donation Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am-1pm; Saturdays 9-11am Drop off location: 75th St & Douglas Ave (old Palmers Deli)
Right now we are in need of new women’s and men’s underwear along with the children’s clothes. (No boys underwear currently needed).
Thx for contributing! The folks at UCAN
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URBANDALE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
3530 70
thStreet, Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone: 515-276-0625 ▪ Fax: 515-276-2451
www.urbucc.org
www.facebook.com/UrbandaleUCC
“We welcome into this community of faith, and affirm the participation in all aspects of church life, persons of every age, race, gender identity and expression, nationality, ability, and sexual
orientation. We will continue our efforts toward inclusiveness, and stand against all forms of discrimination. We will empower ourselves, our children, and one another to be fully present in the world, living in Christ’s image and striving for justice and peace.”
Staff
The Rev. David P. Sickelka, Senior Pastor ... david.sickelka@urbucc.org The Rev. Amy Murray, Ministry Program Coordinator ... amy.murray@urbucc.org Steven Linn, Music Program Director ... steven.linn@urbucc.org Bobby Stinnett, M.M., Organist,
Children/Youth Choirs and Handbell Director ... bobby.stinnett@urbucc.org Sophiap Eng, Office Coordinator... staff@urbucc.org Sadmir & Umihana Omerhodzic, Custodian ... sadmir.omerhodzic@urbucc.org
Ministry Leaders
Caregiving Ministries:
Caregivers, Homebound ... Rachel Siegel ... caregivers. 1 @urbucc.org Care Connectors ... ... care.connectors@urbucc.org Listening Room ... ... listening.room@urbucc.org Prayer Circle ... prayer.circle@urbucc.org Prayer Shawl Ministry ... prayer.shawls@urbucc.org
Leadership Team:
Moderator ... Jon Greising ... moderator@urbucc.org Vice-Moderator ... Diane Dornburg ... vicemoderator@urbucc.org Treasurer ... Jim Nervig ... treasurer@urbucc.org Financial Secretary ... Steve Looney ... financial@urbucc.org Recording Secretary ... Becky Swift ... uuccrecorder@urbucc.org Ad Ministry Liaison ... Adam Dirks ... ad.ministry@urbucc.oeg Christian Growth Liaison ... Chris Jordan ... christian.growth@urbucc.org Membership Team ... Carol Leadingham ... membership.team@urbucc.org Small Groups Liaison ... Rachel Siegel ... small.groups@urbucc.org Worship Team ... Patricia Goldberg ...worship.team@urbucc.org At Large Members: Kathy Marean, Jennifer Gardner, Wesley Keeler
Other Contacts:
Building & Grounds ... B&G.team@urbucc.org Social Media Team ... Sandy Gahn ... social.media@urbucc.org
For pastoral care, please contact Pastor Dave at 276-0625 (church office), 720-6389 (cell) or
