Worship Bulletin – March 31, 2019

INTROIT—”Breathe on Me, Breath of God”

WELCOME AND TIME OF CENTERING
Gathered here in the mystery of the hour,
Gathered here in one strong body,
Gathered here in the struggle and the power,
Spirit draw near.

CALL TO WORSHIP
We come, for God gathers us here
Where the hungry and thirsty are fed and nourished.
We come, for God welcomes us here
Where the naked are clothed and the stranger is embraced.
We come, for God meets us here
Where we see and experience God in those around us.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Forgive us O God, if our eyes have been so fixed on priorities of our own making, that we have failed to look for Jesus in the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned. Forgive us all the times we fail to touch people’s lives with acts of loving and caring, justice and mercy. Remind us that we are empowered and enabled by your Spirit to witness to the values of your kingdom in and through all we do and say. Amen.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

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THE CELEBRATION AND SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Alara Mackenzie Stanley
Born: February 4, 2018
Baptized: March 31, 2019
Parents: Neeka & Amber Stanley
Sister: Kaitlin Stanley

Godfamilies: Josh and Krystal Graham and
Jeff, Elyse, Jared, & Jason Bankert

Grandmothers: Cathy Foster & Rev. Dale Stanley

GATHERING
The gospels tell us that “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked
them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them,
All: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
The Sacrament of Baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. In as much as the promise of the gospel is not only for us but also to our children, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of their participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of their growth into full Christian faith and discipleship.

This is the water of baptism. Out of this water, we rise with new life, forgiven of sin and one in Christ, members of Christ’s body.

PROMISES (by the parents)
Do you desire to have Alara baptized into the faith and family of Jesus Christ so that she may explore the dynamics of God, who created and loves her?
Parents:  We do.

Will you encourage Alara to live out her faith in response to the gospel, and to receive the freedom of new life in  Christ?
Parents:  We will, with the help of God.

Will you teach her the stories of our faith so that she may be led into relationship with Jesus Christ?
Parents:  We will, with the help of God. 

Do you promise by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciples, to follow in the way of our Savior, to be in right relationship with God, others and yourself, to show love and justice, and to share the work and word of Jesus Christ as best as you are able?
Parents: We do, with the help of God. 

Will you covenant to bring Alara into the life of the Christian community to worship, to hear the story of the roots of our faith, and to be in relationship with other believers as you all grow together and celebrate the Spirit’s presence?
Parents:  We will, with the help of God. 

PROMISE OF ASSURANCE (by the God Families)
Recognizing that there are many persons who touch the lives of children beyond their parents, do you covenant to give your time and yourselves to Alara, providing her with further opportunities to explore her growing experience of God and self?
God Family:  We promise, with the help of God. 

Do you covenant to love Alara unconditionally, supporting her, and helping her see the limitless possibilities of life in the Spirit?
God Family:  We promise our love and support.

CONGREGATIONAL ASSENT
Jesus Christ calls us to make disciples of all nations and to offer them the gift of grace in baptism. Do you as a congregation and as family and friends, promise your love, support, and care to Alara as she lives and grows in
Christ?
All: We promise our love, support, and care. 

Will you support these parents and this God family in their efforts to guide Alara in the way of the gospel and to the faithful service in Christ’s church?
All: We will, relying on God’s grace. 

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Let us unite with the church in all times and places in confessing our faith in the triune God.
Do you believe in God?
I believe in God.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit. 

PRAYER OF BAPTISM
The Lord be with you.
And also with You.
Let us pray…

ACT OF BAPTISM 

PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED 

PRESENTATION OF GIFTS

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SHARE

REFLECT

PREPARING OURSELVES FOR PRAYER
In moments like these, I sing out a song,
I sing out a love song to Jesus.
In moments like these, I lift up my hands.
I lift up my hands to the Lord.
Singing, “I love you, Lord.”
Singing, “I love you, Lord.”
Singing, “I love you, Lord. I love you.”

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and the LORD’S PRAYER
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.
CHORAL RESPONSE

THANK

TIME OF ANNOUNCEMENTS

*SENDING HYMN—C#461 “Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service” (v 1, 2, & 4)

*BENEDICTION
*BENEDICTION RESPONSE
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord.
We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord.
And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

POSTLUDE

Our worship has ended… Let our service begin!

Please join us for coffee and fellowship in Maxcy Hall following worship! 

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 The Oldtown Message
March 31, 2019
Pastor Kelly’s office hours are Wednesday & Thursday 10-2

OLDTOWN CALENDAR
Today: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
Apr 3: Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
– School Tours
Apr 6: Pork Loin Supper 6pm
Apr 7: Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
– Deacons Meeting after worship
Apr 9: Church Committee
Apr 10: Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
– School Tours
Apr 13: Church Clean-Up 9am-12noon
HOLY WEEK
Apr 14: PALM SUNDAY!
– Household Huddle 9am
– Worship 10am
Apr 17: Coffee Connection 10am-12noon
– School Tours
Apr 18: Maundy Thursday Worship 7pm
Apr 19: Good Friday Worship 7pm
Apr 20: Easter Egg Hunt
Apr 21: EASTER SUNDAY!
– (No Household Huddle)
– Worship 10am

IN NEED OF OUR PRAYERS
Mark, Ed, Sue, Steve, Kerri, Cindy, Gordon, Kristen, Susan, Maryam, Meena, Marjon, Brooks, Joseph, Perilene, Cyndy, Claire, Christina, Susan, Denise, Jay, Dylan, Shane, Teri, Jonathan, Tori, Valerie, Lisa, Lynn, Tracey, Gayle, Rob, Liz, Thomas, Lynne, Cindy, Kane, Dave, Deb, Ashley, Diane, Marisol, Darlene, Dave F., Madeline, Austin, Alexander, Steven, The McEvoy Family, Chrystal, Dennis, Jane, Pat, Jenn, Col,, Barbara, John, the family of Rosalyn Dix.
If you would like to add a name to our prayer list, please fill out a prayer card and drop it in the offering plate, or use our online prayer request form.

UNDY SUNDAY – NEXT WEEK!!
Our Missions Ministry has designated the 5th Sunday of March, June, September, and December (the months with a fifth Sunday) as Undy Sundays. On those Sundays, we will be collecting any size new (in the package) underwear and socks for those less fortunate in our community.

FAIR TRADE COFFEE
Do you enjoy the coffee that we served in Oldtown? Would you like to purchase some to have at home? During coffee hour, we will be offering individual bags (2.25 oz which makes 1 pot) for $2 a piece. We will have decaf and regular. Money raised will go to pay for coffee hour expenses.

STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Offering last week:	$966.80 $394.74 less than budget
Offering to date:	$200 less than budget
Fund Raising (end of February):	$500 more than budget
Total Budgeted Income (end of February):	$1,000 less than budget
Total Budgeted Expense (end of February):	$200 less than budget
CURRENT POSITION (end of February):	$7,000 loss

Did You Know?

• Holy Week is just around the corner, and on Maundy Thursday, we’re hoping to present our Last Supper reflection on the life of Jesus, but we need volunteers to read the parts. Please let Pastor Kelly know if you’re interested in being a reader. As with everything at Oldtown, we can’t do it without your help.
• “The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.”
  ~ Isaiah 1:31 (NRSV)