Our God-given Identity

Sunday April 16, 2023

 Worship Leader: Ferne

Speaker: Gary

Song Leader: Susan

Gift of Music: Ryan and Zachary

Story: Zachary

Technician: Jaimie

Order of Worship

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship

Hear the good news. Hope does not disappoint us, for God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us in baptism. VT 903 D

Introduction of today’s theme

Hymns:  VT 444 I Sing with Exultation

              VT 737 Breathe on Me, Breath of God

Prayer of Confession:

All: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned to our own way.  

Leader:  We have wandered in restlessness and busyness, far from your pastures and waters. Our souls are troubled.

People:  Gather us, Lord.

Leader:   We have preferred our own paths and put our own names first.

People:  Forgive us, Lord.                     

Leader:  Surely God’s goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we are invited into the house of God’s presence, this day, and forever.

All:       The Lord is our shepherd; we shall not want! Amen.

Adapted from Prayer of Confession by Nina Lanctpt in Words for Worship.  

Hymn: VT#640  My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Children’s story: “Bob and Otto”

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Message: Our God-given Identity

Hymn:  VT #557, Spirit of God! Descend upon my Heart. verses 1,3 and 5

Congregational Prayer 

Offertory Gift of Music: Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley

Prayer for the Offering

Sending hymn: VT #830 Go, My Children

Benediction

Loving God, You have baptized us into one body and made us to drink the one Spirit. Now grant us faithful hearts that we may serve one another diligently in love and find no cause to separate or divide. Call each of us to esteem others better than ourselves so we may remain together in peace and joy. Grant these mercies to us and to all your people. Amen. From VT#1001