Closing Worship Service / Reaffirmation of Baptism
Sunday, June 22, 2014 - 11:00am
Preacher: Bishop Young Jin Cho - Resident Bishop, Virginia Conference
Liturgist: Barbara Tate - Oakton UMC, Arlington District
Liturgist: Rev. Sung Il Yoo - Pastor, Regester Chapel UMC, Fredericksburg District
Musicians: Ebenezer UMC Worship Team, Fredericksburg District (Dave Bryant - Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Team Leader; Chris Baumann - Keyboard; Scott Camden - Lead Guitar; Mike Erdley - Vocals; Kristen Erdley - Vocals; Mike Johnson - Drums; Allan Pacquette - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin; Vicki Russ - Vocals; and Barry Titus - Bass)
GATHERING MUSIC Ebenezer UMC Worship Team
CALL TO WORSHIP Rev. Sung Il Yoo
Leader: Come, servants of God.
People: God’s Spirit descends upon us.
Leader: Come, servants of Love.
People: God’s Spirit anoints us to work for justice and peace.
Leader: Come, followers of Christ, baptized into this ministry together.
People: God’s Spirit compels us to seek reconciliation and offer love.
Leader: Come, beloved ministers of God.
People: God’s Spirit is a blessing for all.
SONG “Awake My Soul”
Please stand, as you are able, and join in singing the words on the screen
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Barbara Tate
Creator God, as your Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism in the river, so it surrounds us today, as we remember and reaffirm our own baptisms. We come together, united in our common ministry, as we seek to do your will for your church. Renew us, once again, with your cleansing waters. Wash away our fears and doubts, our hopelessness and pain. Open our minds that we may hear your word deep in our hearts, and that it may strengthen us as Christ’s body to minister to our own churches, our communities, and our need-filled world. Amen.
SCRIPTURE Psalm 137 Barbara Tate
1 By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. 2On the willows there we hung up our harps. 3 For there our captors asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!" 4 How could we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither! 6 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy. 7 Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem's fall, how they said, "Tear it down! Tear it down! Down to its foundations!" 8 O daughter Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall they be who pay you back what you have done to us! 9 Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock!
SERMON “Sing the Lord's Song in a Foreign Land” Bishop Young Jin Cho
SONG “I Surrender”
Please stand, as you are able, and join in singing the words on the screen.
During the song, attendants will proceed to their stations with basins and pitchers of water.
REAFFIRMATION OF THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT Bishop Young Jin Cho
Introduction
All standing in body and/or spirit.
Bishop: Sisters and brothers in Christ:
through the sacrament of baptism God's Spirit has been poured out upon water, water poured over and immersing us, water that flows freely for all who will receive it, water from the streams of God's saving power and justice, water that brings hope to all who thirst for righteousness, water that refreshes life, nurtures growth, and offers new birth. Today we come to the water to renew our commitment to the One who created us out of nothing and called us good, who delivered us from bondage and declared us free, and who promises to make all things new.
Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith
Bishop: And so I ask you:Will you turn away from the powers of sin and death?
People: We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of our sin.
Bishop: Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be?
People: We accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves
Bishop: Will you proclaim the good news and live as disciples of Jesus Christ, his body on earth?
People: We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior, put our whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as our Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races.
Bishop: Will you be living witnesses to the gospel, individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?
People: We will remain faithful members of Christ's holy church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world.
Bishop: Will you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
People: We affirm and teach the faith of the whole church as we put our trust in God, the Father Almighty, in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, and in the Holy Spirit, our breath and life, one God now and forever.
Thanksgiving Over the Water
Bishop: The Spirit of the Lord is with us.
People: Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Bishop: Let us pray.
Almighty God, the life you birthed in us by baptism into Jesus Christ will never die.
Your justice never fails. Your mercy is everlasting.
People: Your healing river flows. Your Spirit blows where you will.
We cannot stop you, God!
Bishop: But sometimes we try. We try to block the flow, we redirect the winds of the Spirit, or we walk so far away from the life-giving stream that we do not hear its sound, and we forget its power. We parch ourselves.
People: We are dry and thirsty, O God. Come, refresh us!
The bishop offers gestures of calling upon the Holy Spirit to come upon the people and the water.
Bishop: Come upon us, Holy Spirit!
People: Come upon us, Holy Spirit!
Bishop: Come upon these waters.
People: Come upon these waters.
Bishop: Let these waters be to us drops of your mercy.
People: Let these waters remind us of your righteousness and justice.
Bishop: Let these waters renew in us the resurrection power of Jesus.
People: Let these waters make us long for your coming reign.
Bishop: Most Holy God, Abba, Father!
People: Glory to you!
Bishop: Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord!
People: Glory to you!
Bishop: Spirit of fire, Spirit over the waters, Spirit of holiness!
People: Glory to you!
Bishop: Eternal God, One in Three and Three in One!
People: All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen!
Bishop: At this time, our ushers will come and direct you to the water. Let us be renewed by God's Spirit as we reaffirm our baptismal covenant.
All who have reaffirmed their baptismal covenant are invited to come to the water. As each person touches the water, another says to her or him: “Remember that you are baptized, and rejoice!” During this time, the congregation will join in singing the words on the screen.
SONG “Oceans”
SONG “Lay Me Down”
SONG "All My Fountains"
PRAYER Rev. Sung Il Yoo
Mighty God, you have known us from the beginning. You have called us by name. You have washed us in the waters of baptism. And now you have renewed us again, to return to our homes, our churches, our communities, to share your love and spread your news. Fill us with your Spirit, so that we may run the race before us with joy and hope, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE ADVOCATE
Bishop Cho will invite people to be seated and then call for copies of The Virginia United Methodist Advocate magazine to be distributed. During the distribution, the congregation will join in singing the words on the screen.
SONG “Your Love Never Fails”
FIXING OF APPOINTMENTS
SONG "Marching to Zion"
Please stand, as you are able, and join in singing the words on the screen.
DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING Bishop Young Jin Cho