No matter who, no matter what, no matter where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome.

Welcome and Announcements

A Time for Gathering

* Opening Hymn #172 (Black) Jesus Calls Us, o’er the Tumult

* Call to Worship

One: A voice of power and majesty calls out to us:

I am your God; I have called you in righteousness.

Many: We are amazed that God knows us and calls us.

By God's breath and spirit, we receive life.

One: God takes us by the hand and leads us.

In covenant with God, we extend light to the world.

Many: Eyes are opened and prisoners are freed.

Justice and peace prevail, by God's strength.

One: Worship with joy and give glory to God's name.

Listen for the new thing God declares.

Many: We remember that we have been baptized.

May we live as those with whom God is pleased.

* Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, to dwell in us and among us. Make us more than dimly burning wicks, that we might share enough light to make a difference in your world. Amen

*Call to Confession: Confession allows us to turn around and rediscover the paths God intends for us.

*Prayer of Confession: God of glory, we confess that our lives have not glorified you. God of justice, we admit our complicity with systems of injustice. God of light, we are aware of the shadows we create that keep others from seeing you. All-inclusive God, we repent of our narrow vision and our tendency to exclude. Amen.

* Assurance of Forgiveness: We believe that Jesus is that beloved messenger, with whom God is well pleased. Through this One on whom God's spirit was poured out, like a descending dove, we know ourselves to be beloved by God, forgiven and freed from the bonds of sin.

* Gloria Patri (Brown hymnal: back page)

A Time for Stewardship

Offertory Invitation: How can we share the message that God is impartial, that justice and peace are God's intention for all humankind? We combine our individual efforts through the church, joining in programs, projects, and outreach that reflect God's light into the world. Our gifts of gratitude are one way of sharing.

Reflection: Nancy Parker

Presentation of our Treasure: The offering is collected at this time.

* Doxology

* Prayer of Dedication: We pray, O God, that our offerings delight you. We bring them to encourage all who work for justice and peace on our behalf - that they may not grow faint or be crushed by opposition. May the oppressed find healing, the discouraged receive hope, and those who are bound discover freedom, through and beyond our efforts. Amen

Scripture Readings:

Hebrew Scriptures: Isaiah 42:1-9

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

Hymn #285 (Black) O Holy Dove of God Descending

Sermon: Where is God in the Book of Esther?

A Time for Prayer

Sharing Our Joys and Concerns

Pastoral Prayer – followed by the Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Commission and Blessing

*Hymn #539 (Black) Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant?

One: Let your lives testify to the goodness of God.

Ascribe to God glory and majesty and power.

Many: We are witnesses from the baptized community.

God sends us out to embrace others in Christ's name

Amen. Amen

A Time to Depart

* Fellowship Circle Let There Be Peace on Earth

* Benediction

*Please stand in body or in spirit.

Bold print indicates unison.