'Immersed in God's love.' - Tanya Cook

​Call to Worship
Beloved of God, come, turn to Christ.
When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan
and the Holy Spirit descended upon him,
he knew he was loved by God his Father.
Let each one of us know and feel the warmth of God’s love today.

StF 20 Be still for the presence of the Lord. Music & Words: David J. Evans. Sung by Matt Beckingham.

​Prayer
Loving God, You knew us by name long before we heard your call. Your welcome and your love were always there and always will be. May we always be secure in that knowledge and be willing to follow where you lead us. Thank you that we can come to you in prayer and speak with you as a friend, that we can open our hearts to you and know that you are there to listen and understand. Our lives are open to your gaze – you see the bad as well as the good, our doubts as well as our faith, our sorrows as well as our joys, our despair as well as our hope. We bring you our anger as well as our peace, the hatred as well as the love, the confusion as well as the certainty, the fear as well as the trust. All of these exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic around us leave us feeling lost and exhausted.
Forgive us for doubting you, loving God, for wanting short cuts, instant results and seeking gratification elsewhere. Help us to be truthful to ourselves and to you so that we can be immersed in the love which only you can give – love which frees us to live as you would have us live and be the people you want us to be. Hear our prayer, loving God, in the name of Jesus, your dear son. Amen.
May we always know that by your Grace we are forgiven, in your peace our lives are lived.
By your touch we know healing, in your strength we are made whole. Thanks be to God. Amen

​Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever.
Amen

​Reading: Isaiah 43 v 1 -7

​Reading: Luke 3 v 15 – 17 and v 21 - 22

​Stf 233  When Jesus came to Jordan with BSL, v1. Words Fred Pratt Green. Music by James William Elliot.  Sung by members of the Oxford Methodist Circuit.

​Message

​StF 558 Lord, you have come to the seashore. Congregational singing recorded at South Cliff Methodist Church

​Prayers for others
Gracious and loving God, our creator, who knew each one of us from conception to our birth. We give thanks for the gift of baptism and for parents and Godparents and others who have given Christian teaching to many of us so that we have come to know you and to journey with you.

Gracious God, immerse all people in your love today.

We pray for your church throughout the world as we consider the effects of the pandemic on so many Christians. We remember especially those Christians in parts of the world where both persecution and poverty are a combined threat and ask your blessing upon them.
We give thanks that, despite church closures and difficulties, modern technology has allowed worship both to continue and to reach out to others far outside of our church buildings in virtual environments. We are thankful, too, for all those who have used their skills to draw us close to you and to each other in these new ways.

Gracious God, immerse all people in your love today.

We pray for this world which seems so troubled. Forgive us that we have failed to care for this amazing planet of your creation. We pray for all those who are striving to find ways to solve the problems caused by global warming and pollution and ask your guidance as we each individually seek to change our own behaviour and lifestyles in the knowledge that we are a part of the problem.
We pray for countries that continue to be affected by conflict, war, and terrorism, thinking especially of Afghanistan and the Yemen at this time. We pray for leaders, governments, and politicians throughout the world that they may lead with honesty and integrity, and rule without prejudice and with justice and fairness for all people whatever their race, colour or creed.

Gracious God, immerse all people in your love today.

Finally, we pray for ourselves. Help us to share your love with all who need it. We pray for those who are frail, those who are sick and suffering, for refugees and those who have no home to go to. We think of doctors, nurses, carers and all hospital workers as they continue to struggle with staff shortages and long hours due to the pandemic. We pray that communities around where they work will support them and do all they can to minimize risk of further spread of the virus.
We also give thanks and pray for all who continue to provide our public services during these difficult times – the shop workers, refuse collectors, bus and taxi drivers. We pray, too, for our young people and all those who teach them as they return to schools, colleges, and universities. Uphold and strengthen them all as they face the challenges ahead.

Gracious God, immerse all people in your love today.
​
In the name of your dear son, Jesus, who is our rock, our friend, our Saviour, and our guide. Amen

StF 673 Will you come and follow me. Music: Traditional Scottish Folk Song Words: John L. Bell & Graham Maule  Piano and vocal: Matt Beckingham Vocal: Morven Adey Guitar: Chris Dyer Bass: James Peterson

​Blessing
Holy Spirit, go with us into the world.
Re-source us with your power and your presence.
Father, help us to know your love,
and that we are your beloved sons and daughters.
Lord Jesus Christ, help us to learn from you,
and to follow your example,
that we may share your love with everyone we meet. Amen