WELCOME to Westminster Church Online!

We are glad that you are here this morning. We hope this time of worship nurtures
your faith enlivens your spirit and engages your mind as we celebrate God’s
love and healing for the world with the resurrection of Christ, our Risen Lord.

Before you begin, remember to download and print the
01.10.21 – Worship Bulletin – Baptism of Our Lord
Then grab your Bible, a cup of tea or coffee, and prepare your heart for worship.

If this is your first Sunday with us, welcome! We’re glad you choose to worship with us.
Please take a moment to fill out the online Friendship Form and let us know.

We want every member (person or family) of Westminster to fill out the Friendship Form found below.

READ THE SERMON

Baptism of the Lord – January 10, 2021
Rev. Denise Clark-Jones

“THE POWER OF VOICES”

Voices are powerful. The Old Testament text for this week’s worship service is from the first five verses of the Bible. We read
that God’s voice brought order out of chaos to initiate Creation. The psalmist delivers an ode to “The Voice of the Lord,”
reveling in the power and glory of God’s creative acts. In Acts, Paul preaches to a people who had been baptized into
“John’s baptism,” having not heard of Jesus. Upon hearing Paul’s words about Jesus, they submitted to baptism in the
name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit came upon them and they voiced prophesy in tongues. Mark’s Gospel begins
with Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River. The veil between heaven and earth ripped apart and the Holy Spirit
rested upon him like a dove. His identity was confirmed with God’s voice announcing: “You are my Son, the Beloved.”
Each of our scripture passages for today affirms the power of the voice, with God’s voice being the one with the
ultimate power. This week, on January 6, we witnessed the power of human voices to render chaos out of order
and pollute peace with violence. God’s Word for us today challenges us to decide to whose voice we will listen.

Let us know that you joined us by filling out the Friendship Form below.
Then share with us your favorite part of today’s online worship experience!
Whether that was something from the music or the message, we’d love to hear.
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JOIN US AT 11 AM THIS MORNING FOR SOME CONVERSATION.
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Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed
him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all
who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made,
and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the
Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

“I belong to Westminster because of the splendid worship services, the caring pastor and the faith in action programs…. Westminster made me feel like a welcome part of the church family and allows me to share ‘time, treasure and talents.’ It is a very warm and inclusive congregation with great leadership.”