January 12, 2025 – A New Year, A New Journey: Answering God’s Call

Opening & Announcements

Liturgist: Kathy Earl

• Annual Meeting Reminder:
  
  • Held immediately after worship in Davis Hall with coffee and treats.
• Upcoming Events:
  
  • Kids’ Food Basket Service – January 13
  • Church Council Meeting – January 15
  • Book Club – January 16 at Carol Jorgenson’s home
  • Euchre Night – January 18
• Volunteer Needs:
  
  • Liturgists & Ushers – Sign-up available.
  • Offering Counters – Volunteers needed to assist.
• New Monthly Theme: Hope
  
  • A survey was provided in the bulletin for congregants to give feedback.

Welcome & Call to Worship

• Responsive Reading: Isaiah 43
• Opening Hymn: “We Gather to Ask the Lord’s Blessing”

Prayers & Concerns

• Prayers for those in recovery, those awaiting medical results, and families mourning recent losses.
• Joyful Updates:
  
  • Matt is home and recovering well.
  • Denita suffered a mild stroke but is improving.
  • Alice is being transferred to Mission Point for continued care.
• Special Prayer Requests:
  
  • A liver biopsy for a congregation member’s grandson.
  • The family of Andy, found unresponsive.

Children’s Moment: A Clean Slate for a New Year

• Object Lesson: A new calendar vs. an old calendar—how the new year represents a fresh start.
• Message:
  
  • Jesus wipes away our past mistakes, just as a new year brings new opportunities.
  • When we follow Jesus, we are forgiven and renewed.
• Prayer: Gratitude for God’s endless grace and fresh starts.

Scripture Readings

• Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 – John the Baptist foretells Jesus’ coming, and Jesus is baptized, receiving God’s blessing.
• Acts 8:14-17 – Peter and John bring the Holy Spirit to believers in Samaria.

Sermon: A New Year, A New Journey – What is God?

Key Themes:

1. Baptism as Transformation:
   
   • John the Baptist speaks of a baptism of fire, a purification that burns away ego and reveals our authentic self.
2. Seeking Authenticity:
   
   • Inspired by Jacob Needleman’s book What is God?, the sermon explored how we can lose ourselves in achievements, status, and materialism, yet still feel empty.
   • True fulfillment comes from looking inward—not just asking Who am I?, but What is God?
3. The Inner Journey of Faith:
   
   • Just as Jesus went into the wilderness after his baptism, we must journey inward to discover our true connection with God.
   • Like Needleman’s realization, faith requires moving beyond intellect and embracing mystery.
4. Baptism as a New Beginning:
   
   • Just as a new year wipes away the old, baptism is an invitation to let go of the past and step into a new life of faith.

Hymn of Reflection

• “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun”

Offering & Prayer of Thanksgiving

• Prayer: A blessing for the gifts given to support the church and its mission.

Silent Reflection & Pastoral Prayer

• Guided Reflection: “You are mine, and I have called you by name.”
• Prayers for healing, wisdom, and peace.
• The Lord’s Prayer was recited together.

Closing Hymn & Benediction

• Final Hymn: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
• Benediction: Encouragement to embrace new beginnings, trust in God’s guidance, and journey forward in faith.

Key Takeaways from the Service:

✔ Baptism is not just a ritual—it is a transformation, a new beginning in faith.
✔ Faith requires looking beyond the surface to discover our authentic selves in God.
✔ God calls each of us by name, offering renewal, hope, and guidance.
✔ The inner journey is just as important as the outer journey—asking ‘What is God?’ brings us closer to understanding our purpose.
✔ Every day is a fresh start—God’s grace wipes away the past, just as a new year brings new possibilities.

Final Thought: As we begin a new year, may we step forward in faith, leaving behind the past and embracing the journey ahead with hope, renewal, and trust in God’s call.