Bulletins
01/11/2026
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    First Presbyterian Church of Weedsport
    January 11, 2026
    Baptism of the Lord Sunday
    Rev. Brian Copeland
    WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Liturgist
    PRELUDE
    OPENING SENTENCES (Responsive) Liturgist
    In the waters of baptism, God marks us as kindred in his name.
    In the waters of baptism, the heavens open up and the Spirit pours out love.
    In the waters of baptism, God names us Beloved.
    In the waters of baptism, God claims us as her own.
    HYMN #326 Spirit of God, Descend Upon my Heart
    CONFESSION AND PARDON (Responsive) Liturgist
    God has made a covenant with us and with our ancestors: to be a light to the nations,
    to bring freedom to captives, and to declare new and glorious things! In faith, let us confess our sin.
    Gracious God, you claim us and call us, you support us and uphold us, you save us and free us from our sin. Yet we slip into old habits, worshiping idols that have claimed our hearts, disregarding our impact on the earth and our neighbors. Forgive us. Meet us at the water again, that we might know we belong to you.
    SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION MAY BE OFFERED
    The good news has been passed down by prophets and priests: everyone who believes in Christ receives forgiveness in his name. We believe; help our unbelief.
    Wherever you are on your journey, you are redeemed, forgiven, and loved.
    SPECIAL MUSIC
    CHILDREN’S TIME (Children may leave to go to Sunday School after Children’s Time.)
    PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (Unison) Liturgist
    Saving God, source of our calling, your Word is full of power and glory. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us so that we may receive your grace and live as your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
    FIRST SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 29 Liturgist
    1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
    2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.
    3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.
    4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
    5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
    6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.
    7 The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
    8 The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
    9 The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
    10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
    11 May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!
    SECOND SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 3:13-17 Rev. Brian Copeland
    13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
     The word of the Lord.
     Thanks be to God.
    SERMON Rev. Brian Copeland
    HYMN #439 In Christ There is No East or West
    AFFIRMATION OF FAITH (Unison) Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.15
    God’s sovereign love is a mystery beyond the reach of the human mind.
    Human thought ascribes to God superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness.
    But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ by showing power in the form of a servant,
    wisdom in the folly of the cross, and goodness in receiving sinful men and women.
    The power of God’s love in Christ to transform the world discloses that the Redeemer
    is the Lord and Creator who made all things to serve the purpose of God’s love.
    JOYS AND CONCERNS
    PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THE LORD’S PRAYER
    We approach God in prayer not as strangers, but as beloved children, baptized in Christ Jesus, Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
    INVITATION TO THE OFFERING (Offering plates are not passed. Offering plates are on the front and back tables.)
    PRAYER OF DEDICATION (Unison)
    God of glory, as people brought gifts to the infant Jesus, we bring our gifts to you.
    May these gifts be used to lift up those who are oppressed, to bring deliverance to those who are in need, to support those who are poor, and to help those who are in trouble. Amen.
    HYMN #322 Spirit of the Living God (Sung twice)
    BLESSING AND CHARGE
    POSTLUDE
    *Large print bulletins are available. Please ask greeter.
    Reminders:
    Worship will be held in the Fellowship Hall through March
    Jan. 11 – Session and committee meetings following worship
    Jan. 12 – Committee reports due
    Jan. 25 – Congregational meeting
    Feb. 2 – SOUPer Bowl Sunday