(Image: “Baptism of Jesus” Scott, Lorenzo, 1987 Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC, United States)
©Order of Worship for Sunday January 11, 2026
Baptism of the Lord
For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)
The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am
Prelude.…..“Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord”……….Greg D.
Words and Music: Stephen Schwartz, 1971
Coming of the Light:
Greetings:………………………………………………..Pastor Liz
Announcements:…………………………………………Lorri B.
Call to Worship:……………………………………………Lusi R.
There are some days
when I need the reminder
that I belong to God.
Do you ever feel that way?
Yes. We do.
The world can be a harsh place;
we often need that reminder.
Well then, let us care for one another.
Let us speak the truth we each need to hear.
Church, you belong to God.
You are God’s beloved.
Friend, you belong to God.
You are God’s beloved.
Let us worship the God who knows our names.
Let us worship the God who calls us beloved. Amen.
Opening Prayer:…………………………………………..Lusi R.
Great God of waves and flames,
are we wet enough to burn brightly?
As we gather today to celebrate the baptism of our Lord
set your seal upon our hearts,
wash our sinstained robes righteous,
and cool our tempers and angers while fueling our desire for justice.
Make us be living water and living flames
to give relief to those who thirst
and to bring light to those who sit in darkness.
As you did in Elijah’s day, rain down flames upon us,
O God, so that we may be wet enough to burn brightly.
Amen. (Nathan Deker, © 2001)
Opening Hymns:“Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters” #605 UMH
Words: Ruth Duck, 1987, Music: Attr. B.F. White, 1844 Words © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
1. Wash, O God, our sons and daughters, where your cleansing
waters flow. Number them among your people;
bless as Christ blessed long ago. Weave them garments bright and sparkling; compass them with love and light. Fill, anoint them; send your Spirit, holy dove and heart’s delight.
2. We who bring them long for nurture; by your milk may
we be fed. Let us join your feast, partaking
cup of blessing, living bread. God, renew us, guide our
footsteps; free from sin and all its snares, one with Christ in
living, dying, by your Spirit, children, heirs.
3. O how deep your holy wisdom! Unimagined,
all your ways! To your name be glory, honor!
with our lives we worship, praise! We your people stand
before you, water washed and Spirit born. By your grace, our
lives we offer. recreate us; God, transform!
“Sweet, Sweet Spirit” #334 UMH
Words and Music: Doris Akers, 1962 © 1962 Manna Music, Inc.
There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, and I
know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord; there are
sweet expressions on each face, and I
know they feel the presence of the Lord.
Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove,
stay right here with us, filling us with your love;
and for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;
without a doubt we’ll know that we have been
revived when we shall leave this place.
Passing of the Peace:……………………………….Pastor Liz
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:…….“Glory Be to the Father”…….#71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, to
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Giving of our Tithes and Offerings:…………….Pastor Liz
AFUMC Online Giving Link: https://aventferryumc.org/give/
Offertory:…….“Shall We Gather at the River”………..Greg D.
Words and Music: Robert Lowry, 1864
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #94 UMH
Adapted © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674, adapted by Gilbert Vieira, 1978
Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, 1623; harmony by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer After Receiving:…………………………….Pastor Liz
The Prayers of the People:………………………..Pastor Liz
Anthem:……….“Crowded Table”…………….Drew/Phillip
Words and Music: N. Hemby, L. McKenna, and B. Carlile © 2019
Songs of Universal, Inc.
Gospel Lesson: ……………Matthew 3:13-17…..Lusi R.
Christ revealed as God’s servant
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented.
And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him.
And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Hymn of Preparation:…….“There’s a Spirit of Love in This Place” #3148 W&S
Words and Music: Mark A. Miller © 2003 Abingdon Press,
Admin. by The Copyright Company
1. There’s a spirit of love in this place, there’s a
spirit of love in this place. You can’t see it, but it’s
there just as precious as the air. There’s a spirit of
love in this place. O alleluia, sing alleluia! We bless
your holy name. O alleluia, sing alleluia! There’s a
spirit of love in this place.
2. There’s the presence of peace in this room, there’s
the presence of peace in this room. In god’s tenderness
is found peace that passes human bounds. There’s the
presence of peace in this room. O alleluia, sing alleluia!
We bless your holy name. O alleluia, sing alleluia! There’s
a spirit of love in this place.