South Stormont Pastoral Charge

  As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. […] Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”             Today is “The Baptism of the Lord” Sunday, a time for us to reflect on Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Through this reflection...

*Gathering Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (#220 VU|vs.1&4) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: With unfailing love, God calls us by name. All: We long to be known and seek relationship with God. One: Come, find refuge. Take rest and comfort in God’s shelter. All: We eagerly come, seeking shelter and security. Let us worship God! * Sandra Litt . Gathering ACE 2024-2025. Page 43. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn When Jesus Comes to Be Baptized (#100 VU | vs. 1,2,3) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Creator God, we remember the waters of creation, where your voice brought light from chaos. We confess our faith in you, acknowledging the times we forget our sacred connection. In the waters of Jesus’ baptism, your Spirit descended, saying to him, "Beloved." Renew us, O Lord, that we may live as your beloved, ever in harmony with your will. ( a time of silent confession) Amen . Words of Assuran...

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:      ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,      are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;      for from you shall come a ruler      who is to shepherd my people Israel.’ ”  Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, ...

*Gathering Hymn Go, Tell It on the Mountain (#43VU) Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Lighting the Christ Candle Call to Worship One: A star shining brightly in the East, All: discovered by those who have eyes to see the unusual and the challenging. One: A journey into unknown territory, All: taken by those who have courage and curiosity. One: An encounter with an evil presence, All:evil faced, yet resisted with care. One: The Holy One recognized, in spite of humble origin, All: the glory and the gifts given, to God’s Chosen Child. One: Let us worship God! *Celebrate God’s Presence. Opening Prayer *Opening Hymn Arise, Your Light Is Come (#79 VU) Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison) Gracious God, you call us to be the light of the world. Yet sometimes our light flickers like a candle, threatened by the storms of life. We are frightened that if we don’t protect the light, it will go out and leave us in the shadows. So instead of sharing your ligh...

One common misunderstanding about the Christian faith is that God’s love is conditional. Many think that people must be good enough to be accepted by God. However, the Bible teaches the opposite. God’s love is not based on what we do. God loves us even before we know God, and with that love, God never gives up on us, even when we have no room for God. When God created the world, it was dark, chaotic, and empty. But God spoke, "Let there be light!" And with those words, the world began to fill with beauty, life, and harmony. God did not create the world because humanity deserved it, but because God so loved the world. God’s love always comes first. Later, when the Hebrew people were enslaved in Egypt, they cried out to God, and God heard them. From a burning bush, God called Moses to liberate them. This act of salvation was not because the people followed God’s commands perfectly, but because God loved them unconditionally. God’s mercy and love came first before they did anyth...

  * Indicates please stand, in body or in sprit *Gathering Hymn O Come, All Ye Faithful (#60 VU|vs. 1-4) Welcome & Announcements Lighting Advent & Christ Candles One: On Christmas Eve, the eve of Jesus’ birth, we light each candle. We light the candle of hope as we embrace the light brought into this world by the Christ child. <The first candle is lit.> All Sing: VU 6 “A Candle is burning” verse 1 One: We light the candle of peace that brought to us by the Prince of Peace. <The second candle is lit.> All Sing: VU 6 “A Candle is burning” verse 2 One: We light the candle of joy as we delight in welcoming baby Jesus. <The third candle is lit.> All Sing: VU 6 “A Candle is burning” verse 3 One: We light the candle of love as we celebrate God’s great gift of love, the birth of Jesus on this holy night. <The fourth candle is lit.> All Sing: VU 6 “A Candle is burning” verse 4 One: We bring together the light of all the candles to light the Christ candle in c...