WELCOME TO WORSHIP
BAPTISM
BAPTISMAL REMEMBRANCE
The congregation is invited to turn to page 50 in the hymnal and follow the congregational reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant. Following the liturgy, you are invited to come to the baptismal font, touch the water, remember your baptism and receive a shell, the Christian symbol for baptism. The altar rail is open for prayer as you remember the covenant made at your baptism.
BAPTISMAL RESPONSE Do you as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? We do. Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Wyatt, now before you, in your care? With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Wyatt with a community of love and forgiveness, that he may grow in his service to others. We will pray for him, that he may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life. HYMN
#191 Jesus Loves Me — JESUS LOVES ME
BAPTISM OF THE LORD • JANUARY 11, 2026 • 11:00AM
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
(Following the presentation, children, kindergartners through third grade, are invited to exit the Sanctuary for Children’s Worship. Children will return to reserved pews in the Sanctuary at the close of worship.)
Please stand as you are able
WE HEAR THE WORD PROCLAIMED
PRELUDE
SCRIPTURE — Luke 3:21-22 This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Gracious Spirit, Dwell With Me — K. Lee Scott
CALL TO WORSHIP Come, all you who thirst; come to the waters, says the Lord. We come seeking life, mercy, and truth. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders. The Lord blesses His people with peace. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. We belong to the Lord, who calls us beloved. God’s love never vanishes from us. Thanks be to God who is ever faithful to us.
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#500 Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart — MORECAMBE
BENEDICTION
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BENEDICTION RESPONSE The Lord Bless You and Keep You — John Rutter The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. Amen. (Numbers 6: 24-26)
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POSTLUDE
WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT OFFERTORY O Spirit All Embracing: Concertato on THAXTED - arr. Richard Proulx (The congregation is invited to stand and sing the third stanza.)
O Spirit all-embracing and counselor all-wise, unbounded splendor gracing a shoeless sea of skies: unfailing is your treasure, unfading your reward; surpassing worldly pleasure, the riches you afford. Come, stream of endless flowing, and rescue us from death; Come wind of springtime blowing, and warm us by your breath.
HYMN OF PROCESSION #152 I Sing the Almighty Power of God — FOREST GREEN AFFIRMATION OF FAITH I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
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GLORIA PATRI #71 Glory Be to the Father — GREATOREX Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Thank you for joining us in worship today.
SERMON — “A Defining Act”
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HYMN
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GREETING INTROIT
WE GO AS GOD’S PEOPLE INTO THE WORLD
PRESENTATION OF CONFIRMATION CLASS
Welcome to worship at Centenary! We are a church for everyone. As you prepare for worship, we invite you to greet your neighbor and share the love of Christ. Please silence all mobile communication devices. †
CLOSING PRAYER We give thanks for all that God has already given us. As members of the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church, we will faithfully participate in the ministries of the church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Amen.
O beauty ever blazing in the flower, field, and face, you show yourself amazing in unexpected place. We see you and remember what once our dreams had been; you fan the glowing ember and kindle hope within. Come, fire of glory gracious, bless all who trust in you; undying flame tenacious, burn in your Church anew. Come, passion’s power holy, your insight here impart, and give your servants lowly an understanding heart to know you more clearly when faith and love are tried, to seek you more sincerely when false ideals have died: for vision we implore you, for wisdom’s pure delight; in prayer we come before you to wait upon your light.
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DOXOLOGY #95 Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow — OLD 100th Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
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SERMON NOTES
___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ PARTICIPANTS IN WORSHIP PREACHING Reverend Lara “Willis” Greene Senior Minister LITURGIST Reverend Oliver Helsabeck Associate Minister for Congregational Care MUSIC Jonathan Emmons, Director of Music & Arts Joshua Sobel, Organist The Chancel Choir
CRUCIFER Reese Bonsall TORCHBEARERS Clark Bonsall Sloan Bonsall FLOWERS The Chancel flowers are given in loving memory of Nash E. Hardy, Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Reginald E. Parsons by Judy Hardy and family, and also in loving memory of William E. Caldwell by Mrs. William E. Caldwell. The Chancel flowers from January 4 were given in loving memory of Mary Elizabeth Boggan Palermo by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Boggan, Jr.
The anthem texts are printed with permission. One License A-707342 By entering the Sanctuary, you grant to Centenary United Methodist Church unrestricted right to use and publish, transmit or telecast photographs or likenesses that might be taken of you this day for use in communications related to the church.