Color: Purple
Scripture Readings: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15

Theme Ideas

The waters of grace flow through these scriptures: from God’s deliverance of Noah and all animals from the waters of the flood, to the baptism of Jesus in the waters of the Jordan, to our baptisms that bring us salvation. God made a covenant with all creatures in Genesis. The psalmist reminds us that we are to keep our covenant. And, in Jesus Christ, we find a new covenant of water and spirit. This is the good news: God is faithful, merciful, and full of steadfast love; God remembers creation and the everlasting covenant of forgiveness; God has come in Jesus Christ, Beloved Son and Savior of the world. Come back to God, for it is only here that we find true hope, true life, and true joy.

Call to Worship (Genesis 9)

Come, all you people, come and worship.
God has made a covenant with us.
Come, all creatures of the earth, come and worship.
God has made a covenant with all creatures.
Remember the covenant and be thankful.
God remembers the covenant and God will save us.

Call to Worship (Psalm 25)

We trust in you, O God, for you are faithful.
Show us your ways and teach us your paths.
We wait for you.
Lead us in your paths of truth.
Do not remember our failures.
Out of your merciful grace, forgive us.
You are faithful, O God. Your love is steadfast.
We lift up our souls to you,
and praise you always.

Call to Worship (Mark 1)

John baptized Jesus in the waters of the Jordan.
God said: You are my Son, the Beloved.
With you I am well pleased.
We are washed by the waters of our baptism.
God says: You are my beloved children.
With you I am well pleased.
We gather as God’s beloved children
to worship and to serve.
Let us tell the good news of God’s love!

Call to Worship (1 Peter 3)

Send the waters of your grace upon us.
We are your people.
Let the waters of your love wash us.
We are your forgiven people.
Let the waters of your blessing pour over us.
We are your beloved people.
Thanks be to God.

Call to Worship (Mark 1)

We are gathered to worship our God.
Send your Spirit upon us.
We come from many places, with many burdens.
Send you Spirit upon us.
We turn our hearts to you, O God.
Send your Spirit upon us,
and make us your beloved family.

Contemporary Gathering Words (Genesis 9, Psalm 25, Mark 1)

God said, “I will be your God.”
God has promised. God remembers. God is faithful.
God said, “I will lead you in the paths of truth.”
God has promised. God remembers. God is faithful.
God said, “I will forgive you.”
God has promised. God remembers. God is faithful.
God said, “My kingdom is near.”
God has promised. God remembers. God is faithful.

Praise Sentences (Psalm 25)

I lift my soul to you, O my God.
I trust in you, O merciful Lord.
You are my God.

Praise Sentences (Genesis 9)

God will not fail us.
God remembers us.
We are held in God’s love.

Praise Sentences (Genesis 9, 1 Peter 3, Mark 1)

God remembers us.
God saves us.
God calls us beloved.

Opening Prayer (Genesis 9, Psalm 25, Mark 1)

God of the covenant,
you are ever faithful.
Your love never ends.
Teach us your ways.
And guide us in your paths of love and forgiveness,
that we may witness to your grace
and salvation. Amen.

Opening Prayer (Genesis 9, Psalm 25, Mark 1)

Faithful God,
you called all creatures into being,
and you care for each one.
Send your grace upon your people gathered here,
that we may follow your ways of truth,
and walk in the paths of steadfast love,
proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer of Confession (Genesis 9, Psalm 25)

God of the rainbow,
you made a covenant with all creatures,
promising life and hope.
God of pathways,
you show us how we should walk.
Yet we forget our connection with one another
and think that we are the center of the universe.
We wander from your paths of truth
into paths of deceit and pride.
Forgive us and lead us back
into the arms of your love. Amen.

Words of Assurance

God is merciful and full of steadfast love.
God will not forget us.
God will wash us clean,
and lead us on paths of steadfast love
and faithfulness.

Benediction (Genesis 9, Psalm 25, Mark 1)

Walk in the paths of steadfast love and faithfulness.
Dwell under the rainbow of God’s love.
Proclaim the good news of God, for God’s realm is near.

Benediction (Genesis 9, Psalm 25, Mark 1)

Go and testify to God’s faithful promises.
God’s covenant is everlasting.
Go and follow God’s ways.
The ways of the Lord are steadfast love
and faithfulness.
Go and proclaim God’s good news.
The time is now. Turn to God.

Benediction (Mark 1)

We have received the Spirit.
We are blessed by God.
Believe the gospel.
Proclaim the good news.

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From “The Abingdon Worship Annual,” edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press.