Stout Memorial United Methodist Church 3329 Broad Street | Parkersburg | West Virginia | 26104 www.stoutmemorial.org | (304) 428 - 1179 | stoutmemorial@gmail.com ...suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove… Matthew 3:16,NRSV January 11, 2026 - Traditional Worship Ministers The congregation Pastor Helen R. Oates Ministers through Music Terri Bush ~ Choir Director Bonnie Leonhart ~ Organist Ministers Though Service Andrew Mommessin ~ Sound Coordinator Sarah Sisson—Communications Director Danny Stemple—IT Specialist Order of Worship Baptism of the Lord Sunday January 11, 2026 Welcome and Announcements Rev. Helen R. Oates Prelude Praise the Lord on High by Sawyer Bonnie Leonhart Choral Introit Bless the Lord, O My Soul Chancel Choir by John Carter Call to Worship Alex Olson Come! Let us follow Jesus to the edge of the Jordan River to be baptized. We come to be cleansed and made whole. Come! Let us witness John’s confusion and Jesus’ insistence that John baptize God Incarnate. We come to join Jesus in choosing life in the kingdom of God. Come! Let us hear God declare the truth of Jesus’ identity and the truth of our identity as baptized people. We come to remember and embody who we are as beloved children of God. Come! Let us worship God who leads us into the baptismal waters and salvation life. We come to worship God who empowers us through divine presence to live together as the family of God Hymn Fairest Lord Jesus UMH 189 Opening Prayer Alex Olson Eternal God, ,at the baptism of Jesus, you revealed him to be your Son, and anointed him with the Holy Spirit, Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful to their calling as your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Old Testament Reading Isaiah 42:1-9 Alex Olson Message for the Young At Heart Mission Minute Tom Woods Joys and Concerns Morning Prayer & The Lord’s Prayer Anthem We Enter Here This Holy Place Chancel Choir by Howard Helvey Gospel Lesson Matthew 3:13-17 Sermon “Claiming the Name” Pastor Helen Congregational Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant Page 50 Music Video Down to the River to Pray Allison Krauss Offertory Peace With God by Parker Bonnie Leonhart Thank you for continuing to support the ministries of Stout Memorial. Those joining us online can take time to give as well. Giving can be done on our website at www.stoutmemorial.org/give. Doxology UMH 94 Prayer of Dedication Faithful and Calling God, continue to draw us into community, into covenant, and into new life through waters of grace and acts of justice. Just as Jesus stepped into the river to stand with us and for us, we bring these gifts today to stand with others Amen. Hymn Spirit Song UMH 347 Benediction Postlude Let There Be Peace on Earth Bonnie Leonhart Congregational Appreciation Unless otherwise noted on the Sponsor Sheet located on the welcome table in the Gathering Space, silk flowers will be used by the Altar Guild. If you would like to help place flowers on the Altar, consider a donation to the flower fund. The altar guild would like to invite you to sponsor the altar flowers. Each vase costs $25. When you sponsor the altar flowers, you may do so in memory or in honor of someone or a special event or anniversary. Go to stoutmemorial.org/altarflowers for more information. The Stout Memorial Altar Flower ministry needs smiling faces to deliver Sunday flowers. A sign-up sheet is on the welcome desk in the Gathering space along with directions for delivery. Presenting flowers helps to create smiles. Our Mission: We exist to see all people find Hope, Healing, and Wholeness through Jesus Christ. Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price. Through the reaffirmation of our faith we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and affirm our commitment to Christ’s holy church. Baptism is an outward and visible sign of an internal and spiritual grace.