Baptism of the Lord
January 11, 2026 | 10:00am
Rev. Mark Poyner, Pastor | Larry J. Carey, Director of Music
Thought for Worship
God’s voice speaks over the waters, naming, claiming, and sending.
Baptism reveals who we are, so that we may live for others. From baptism to ministry, God calls us into the life of Christ.
GATHERING
Welcome Acts 10:34-4 A Connection to History
Prelude
Call to Worship
Votum
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen
Opening Statement
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders.
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is king forever.
In the waters of baptism, God speaks: “This is my Son, the Beloved.”
And through Christ, we too are named, claimed, and sent.
Come, let us worship the Lord.
*Hymn of Praise O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Call to Confession
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Scriptures remind us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Trusting in God’s mercy, let us come before Him in humility and faith, and confess our sins. Let us pray:
Prayer of Confession
Gracious and holy God, You have called us your beloved, yet we confess that we often forget who we are. You name us in baptism, but we resist the call to follow. You empower us by your Spirit,
but we rely on our own strength. You send us into the world, yet we hesitate to serve, to heal, and to witness. Forgive us, O God, for the times we have separated faith from action, identity from obedience, and baptism from ministry. Renew us by your Spirit, restore us by your grace, and lead us once again into the life you call us to live, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news: God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed, and God was with him. In Jesus Christ, forgiveness is proclaimed to all. In him, we are forgiven, restored, and sent. Friends, believe the good news of the Gospel: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
Thanks be to God.
The Law of God
Hear what the Lord requires of us: Because God has named us beloved in Christ, we are called to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Because we have passed through the waters of baptism, we are called to live as people renewed—turning away from sin, seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God. Because we have been filled with the Holy Spirit, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves—to do good, to heal what is broken, to speak peace, and to serve with compassion. This is the Law of God for the people of God—not a burden to earn God’s love, but a calling to live out the grace we have received. Lord, write this law upon our hearts, and lead us from baptism into faithful ministry.
Amen.
*Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.
*Commitment to Peace Keeping and Peace Seeking
One: May the peace of Christ be with you!
All: And also with you!
Share a sign of peace with one another. After sharing the peace, let us all sing together:
Together, by grace, we witness and work, remembering Jesus, in whom we grow strong. Together we serve in Spirit and truth, remembering love is the strength of our song.
We Listen to God’s Word
Prayer for Illumination
Open our ears to hear what we might rather not hear. Open our eyes to see what we might prefer not to see. Open our hearts to be moved as you are moved. By your Holy Spirit, help us recognize your voice in these Scriptures— the voice that does not turn away from distress, but enters into it. Speak to us now. Change us by what we hear. Through Christ, the Word made flesh, who fled as a refugee and calls us to follow. Amen.
Old Testament Reading Psalm 29
*Hymn Breathe on Me Breath of God
Gospel Lesson Matthew 3:13-17
Sermon: “From Baptism to Ministry” | Rev. Poyner
*Affirmation of Faith (Apostles’ Creed)
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
Offering
Blessing on the Offering ...Your kingdom may come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus 'name we pray, Amen.
*Doxology Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him all creatures here below;
Praise him above ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen!
Prayer of Dedication
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession (ending with the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen.
SENDING
*Hymn Amazing Grace
Benediction
Postlude
DEAR FRIENDS
Welcome to worship here at Peapack Reformed Church! If you are visiting with us, welcome! If you are a member, welcome back! Our mission is to be a congregation called by God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. This mission is the catalyst for all that we do, and is our aim for who we want to be.
If you are visiting with us via Facebook Live and would like more information about our church, send us a message on Facebook or email office@peapackreformed.org and we will be in touch with you. Even under these odd and anxious circumstances, we would love to be your church home. Our virtual doors are always open wide and our hearts are always ready to welcome new faces into our fellowship.
FOOD PANTRY NEWS
Many thanks for all those who have shared their abundance with neighbors in need.
Our church refrigerators have plenty of space to hold even more!
Please consider making a weekly donation of eggs or milk to the P-G Food Pantry.
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and committed to being the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world.
CALLED • EMPOWERED • COMMITTED