Calendar

Order of Worship

Service for the Lord’s Day

Gathering around the word

Prelude: Nearer, My God to Thee, arr. Dan Forrest

† Call to Worship

We gather to worship God, the Lord and Giver of Life.
God, give us the waters of new life.

In the deserts of our lives, in the wilderness within,
God, give us the waters of new life.

To give us hope when our lives run dry,
to give us strength when the world seems barren,
God, give us the waters of new life.

To let peace flow like a river and love spring forth like a fountain,
God, give us the waters of new life.

To make justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a living stream,
God, give us the waters of new life.

To give us—and our world—a second chance and a new beginning,
God, give us the waters of new life.                                                                    

Come, people of God, open your lives to receive God’s new life.
Let us open our hearts and sing God’s praise.

† Hymn #9, “The Play of the Godhead”

Prayer of Adoration and Thanksgiving

God of the deep ocean and the tiny brook, we praise you and adore you for the gift of water that sustains all life. At this time of worship we remember with thanksgiving the many signs of your grace through the gift of water.

We remember Massah and Meribah, when your people were thirsty in the wilderness—
We praise and thank you, for you are the God of gracious provision.

We remember the healing waters of the pool of Siloam—
We praise you and thank you, for you are a God of ceaseless compassion.

We remember Christ’s baptism in the waters of the river Jordan—
We praise and thank you, for you are a God of transformation.

Today we worship and adore you, God of provision, compassion, and transformation.
May our worship enable us to be responsible stewards of your provision, channels of your compassion, and agents of your transformation. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Call To confession

Prayer of confession

O God, we pray:

Let justice roll down like rivers, and let rivers roll out in justice.

God who brought water out of the rock, God who quenched the thirst of those dying in the wilderness, God who in Jesus gave the living waters so that those who taste them would never thirst, God who in Jesus died on the cross thirsty, for there was none to quench his thirst,

Listen to all those who truly confess and grant us forgiveness so that we act responsibly in our use of water, become sensitive to the desperate needs of those without water, and gain wisdom in conserving and preserving water so that rivers roll out in justice among all nations and peoples.

Silent prayer of confession.

Assurance of Pardon

Listen for a word from God:

I, who whispered and worlds crept out of timeless tides;
I, who called and creation croaked back;
I, who breathed and nothingness emerged as abundant life;
I have heard your cry.
I receive your tears as ransom for your sin.
My kiss of forgiveness and welcome home shall moisten your lips
to sing my praise.

You, whom I love, rejoice in my bounty.
Blossom, like a well-watered garden:
that world may know the Merciful God you serve;
that the world may sorrow no more.

In the waters, our sin is washed away. Thanks be to God!                                   

† Response: Hymn #581, “Glory Be to the Father”

† Passing of the Peace

Life in Community

Come in your faith, and in your doubt! If you are joining us for the first time, we invite you to share your information by scanning the QR code. We would love to connect.

Upcoming events and recent announcements are available in the back of the bulletin and on our website at catonsvillepres.org.

Proclaiming the Word

Children’s Message

Prayer of Illumination

Spirit of Glory, Spirit of God, bless us with a word of life this day to restore, support, and strengthen us, that we might know you, love your creation, and do your will. In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Sermon: “The Spiritual Healing of Water”, Ruling Elder Kevin Flis

Responding to the Word

† Hymn #623: “I’ve Got Peace Like a River”

Call to Offering

OffertorY: Down to the River / Shall We Gather by the River, arr. Pepper Choplin

† Doxology #607, “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Christ, all people here below;
Praise Holy Spirit evermore;
Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

† Prayer of Dedication

God of all we are, and have, and will become, receive our offerings. Transform them by your grace into hope and salvation to all who thirst in body or spirit. Make them like a gentle rain on parched lands, so the world may see and believe your life-giving love endures forever.

Prayers of the people & 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 and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen.

† Hymn #37, “Let All Things Now Living”

† Benediction

Postlude: Great is Thy Faithfulness, arr. Larry Shackley

Sources

Image: Grinnell Lake, Glacier National Park, photo by Dianne Graham

Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2013).

Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-734388; CCLI Copyright License B 20481088 + Streaming License B 481071

Announcements

Fellowship Hour

Thank you to the Flis family for hosting today’s Fellowship Hour.

Pastor’s Sabbatical

Ken Kovacs is on sabbatical through Wednesday, September 4, and will return to worship on September 8. Dorothy Boulton is acting Head of Staff while Ken is away. For more details, visit catonsvillepres.org/news/sabbatical.

Staff Schedules

Joyce Danzig will be out of the office on Friday, June 28.

Michael Cuppett will be on vacation beginning Wednesday, July 3, and will return on Thursday, July 11. The office will be closed during that time. You can directly reach other staff members by calling the office at (410) 747-6180 and selecting the appropriate option from the menu.

Dorothy Boulton will be on vacation beginning Friday, July 12, and will return for worship on Sunday, July 21.

Scout Camp

Lift up Scout Troop 306 in your prayers as they spend time at Camp Heritage in western Pennsylvania. 34 Scouts and 6 adults departed yesterday and will return this Saturday.

Fellowship Survey

The Fellowship Committee hopes to provide more opportunities for connection with other friends and members! Give the committee a head start by answering a 30-second survey at catonsvillepres.org/fellowship-survey.

Stephen Ministry Interest Meeting

The Stephen Ministers are holding an information meeting after worship on Sunday, June 30, in the Church House and via Zoom. If you’ve thought about becoming a Stephen Minister or would just like to hear more about the program, please join us. The current Stephen Ministers will share their experiences with you during the first two years of their service. We plan to start training a new class of Stephen Ministers in early 2025. Join via Zoom: tinyurl.com/stephen-interest.

Kids’ Summer Meet Up

Elementary age children (K-5th grade) and their parents are invited to a playground meet up on Sunday, July 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. We’ll enjoy the Slip ’N’ Slide, sprinkler, and plenty of popsicles! Bring your bathing suit and meet in the pavilion. Feel free to bring any other sports equipment or yard games. Contact Megan Long (410-952-9407) or Betsy Hall (443-838-0277) with questions.