Table of Contents
The words in **black bold** are spoken or sung by the congregation. Please, no food or beverages are allowed in the Sanctuary. * Indicates when to rise in body or spirit.
UMH--United Methodist (Blue), TFWS--The Faith We Sing (Black), W&S--Worship & Song (Green)
Prelude
“Gather Us In”
#2236 TFWS
Welcome
Threshold Moment
P:John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire… His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary…" — Luke 3: 16-17
P:The seeds of hope for God's reign are sown in an infant before whom the wise kneel. Seeds of hope are what we must continually place in the ground where we cannot see their sprouting. Seeds of hope for God's future are watered in the symbol of the baptism of Jesus and our own baptisms. The early church believed that the season of Epiphany (besides Easter and Pentecost) was one of the most important times of the year for baptisms, making this a wonderful Sunday to reaffirm our baptism.
Opening Prayer
All:Generous God, Sower of Seeds in the New Earth, by your grace, our eyes glimpse new horizons and we are opened to your possibilities: where the oppressed know liberation, where the saddened know happiness, and where the broken world knows unity. Amen.
Passing the Peace
Pastor:The Peace of Christ be with you.
All:And also with you.
Pastor:You are invited to pass the peace among you, remembering to pass it to those joining us remotely.
Praising
“Everlasting God”
#3021 W&S
Young & Young at Heart Time
Contemporary Reading
Seeds of Hope
by Vanitha Dileep
For months, they rested in a little envelope
we brought home from the store,
waiting to be sown.
But the summer heat was fierce,
and we didn't dare let them touch the ground
alone.
We tried with a few —
but they met their end
in that relentless sun.
Last week, we finally took the chance,
tucked them into the soil,
and said a few prayers,
hoping they would grow.
And days later, we saw them —
whispers of green seedlings,
tiny sprouts rising from the earth,
making me feel hopeful,
my heart and soul brimmed with peace.
They are no longer seeds;
they are what my hope looks like.
I cannot let them wither.
Each morning, I lean in close,
sharing quiet moments only the soil can hear,
humming softly to these tender leaves
still discovering the way the wind moves.
The little green leaves reach for the sun,
and I rejoice in their effort to touch the sky.
Their tiny green stems,
fragile like…
I watch over them with care,
for they are not just seedlings —
they are promises,
they are dreams,
unfolding slowly.
COMMUNITY PRAYER ~ THE LORD'S PRAYER
Sung in Echo
Our Mother, Father, Our Mother, Father
Who art in heaven, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven, On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day, Give us this day
Our daily bread, Our daily bread
And forgive us all our sins, And forgive us all our sins
And lead us not, And lead us not
Into temptation, Into temptation
But deliver us from evil, But deliver us from evil
For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory
Forever, Forever
And ever, And Ever
Our Mother, Father, Our Mother, Father
Who art in heaven, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name, Hallowed be thy name
Ancient Readings
Psalm 72: 3-6
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
Luke 3:15-22
As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
So with many other exhortations he proclaimed the good news to the people. But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, added to them all by shutting up John in prison.
Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
We Sing
“This Is My Father's World”
#144 UMH
Message
“We'll Plant the Seeds of Hope”
Rev. Dr. Michele Robbins
Offertory
“Garden Song”
Offerings can be placed in the basket on the table, online at ukiahumc.org, or mailed to PO Box 323, Ukiah
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
#94 UMH
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise God, the source of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ, whose power uplifts!
Praise the Spirit, Holy Spirit!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Communion Setting
#2257 a, b, c, d TFWSLiturgist:Bring all the places you're weary, all the ways you're restless. Bring your hunger for peace, your thirst for justice. Bring it all -- and come! Jesus invites us to dine as friends! Come! God's welcome feast is set for us, for all!
Pastor:It's a good and joyful thing to open our hearts in thanks and praise to you -- always and everywhere. So, we join with all of creation, with people on earth and all the saints in their unending song of praise:
Liturgist:Creative God, You formed all that is. You created us in your image and breathed into us the breath of life. When we turned away, and our love failed, your love remained steadfast, calling us home. With Jesus, we take, bless, break, and share our daily bread. You fill us and heal us to send us into the world as a community of faith, hope and reconciliation. So, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Pastor:Holy One of Love and Mystery, you blessed your son, Jesus Christ, anointing him with your Spirit to preach good news to the poor, to announce freedom to all captives, vision to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to spread the word that help and healing were at hand.
Liturgist:Continue to pour out your life-giving Spirit, O God. Make us one body in Christ, one ministry to the whole world.
Pastor:On the night before he gave everything, Jesus took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body, given for you. Every time you share it, remember me." When the supper was over, Jesus took the cup, and again gave you thanks and praise. He gave it to his disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you. This is the cup of the new covenant, poured out for you and for all people, filled to overflowing with forgiveness for everyone. Whenever you share it, remember me."
Liturgist:And so, we do remember -- the movement of your powerful Spirit, and your amazing love in Jesus. As we eat this bread and share this cup, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving. In God, with Christ, and in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, almighty God, forever and ever.
Getting Strong
“Hymn of Promise”
#707 UMH
Opportunities for Ministry
Opportunities where you make a difference: A strong church has members who are actively taking part in ministry and service.
- ⤷Volunteer Opportunity: Help pick up food for distribution on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. This helps free up Pastor Michele to concentrate on clergy work. Please prayerfully consider connecting with Pastor Michele if interested.
- ⤷Recycling: Annie is collecting CRV bottles & cans, to benefit Ukiah UMC. So far this year $5,515.81 has been raised through CRV recycling! Text or call Annie 707-513-9634 for pickups and more information.
- ⤷Mendo Labor Co-op: Our church sponsors a worker-led co-op connecting underemployed and unhoused workers with people needing help around the house or yard. We need church members willing to hire workers with patience as we get started and work out the kinks. Call/text Cheryl at (369) 216-1512 to be matched. mendolaborcoop.ukiahumc.org
- ⤷The Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center: If you would like to donate to Building Bridges Homeless Resource Center, below is a list of needed items. All donations can be dropped at HRC M-F, 9-5 or to Trudy's front porch at any time. Thank you to everyone who donates! Trudy•Items needed are: ponchos, warm winter jackets Sweaters, hats, gloves, sleeping bags, blankets, umbrellas, towels, soap, lotion, hand warmers, and zip-lok bags.
Go For It!
South:Do all the good you can,
North:By all the means you can,
South:In all the ways you can,
North:In all the places you can,
South:At all the times you can,
North:To all the people you can,
All:As long as ever you can. Amen.
— John Wesley
Blessing
*STEPPING OUT
“They'll Know We Are Christians by our Love”
Carolyn Arends
WE ARE A WELCOMING & AFFIRMING CONGREGATION:
We welcome all persons into full participation in the life of the congregation regardless of age, gender identity, racial or ethnic background, sexual orientation, marriage status, or physical or mental condition.