Order of Worship
Sunday, January 10, 2021
Baptism of Our Lord
Introduction to the day
Our re-creation in baptism is an image of the Genesis creation, where the Spirit of God moved over the waters. Both Mark’s gospel and the story in Acts make clear that it is the Spirit’s movement that distinguishes Jesus’ baptism from John’s. The Spirit has come upon us as upon Jesus and the Ephesians, calling us God’s beloved children and setting us on Jesus’ mission to re-create the world in the image of God’s vision of justice and peace. You may want to have a small bowl of water available to you for a portion of our worship.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized ELW 304
Christ, when for us you were baptized,
God's Spirit on you came,
as peaceful as a dove, and yet
as urgent as a flame,
as urgent as a flame.
God called you, "My beloved Son";
you are God's servant true,
sent to proclaim the reign of heav'n,
God's holy will to do,
God's holy will to do.
Straightway and steadfast until death
you then obeyed the call
to serve with free and willing heart,
to give your life for all,
to give your life for all.
Baptize us with your Spirit, Lord;
your cross on us be signed,
that likewise in God's service we
may perfect freedom find,
may perfect freedom find.
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, whose voice is upon the waters, and whose mercy is poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy God,
you search us and know us. You are acquainted with all our ways.
We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin –
our own sins and the broken systems that bind us.
We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love.
We distrust those who re not like us.
We exploit the earth and its resources
and fail to consider generations to come.
Forgive us, gracious God,
for all we have done and left undone.
Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them;
receive them in your divine mercy.
Amen.
How vast is God’s grace!
Through the power and promise of + Christ Jesus, our sins are washed away and we are claimed as God’s own beloved.
Indeed, we are forgiven.
In the wake of God’s forgiveness,we are called to be the beloved community
living out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace.
Amen.
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
First Reading Genesis 1:1-5
Out of chaos, God brings order. Out of the formless void, God brings light. This familiar story was good news for the Israelites, who experienced much chaos in their history. It remains good news for us. God created and continues to create new life.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 29
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3)
Second Reading Acts 19:1-7
In Ephesus, Paul encounters people who had received John’s baptism of repentance but had never heard of the Holy Spirit or of baptism in the name of Jesus. After Paul baptizes them, the Holy Spirit comes upon them and empowers them with gifts of the Spirit.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Mark 1:4-11
Mark’s gospel reports the story of Jesus’ baptism with some irony: the one on whom the Spirit descends is himself the one who will baptize others with the Holy Spirit.
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon (see attached)
Nicene Creed
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.</strong
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Affirmation of Baptism
Let us pray. Merciful God, we thank you that you have drawn us to yourself and to one another by water and the Word in our baptisms. You have called us to yourself, enlightened us with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished us in the community of faith here in this congregation and the others of which we have been a part. Uphold us in the gifts and promises of baptism and unit the hearts of all whom you have brought to new birth. We ask this in the name of Christ. Amen.
Thanksgiving at the Font
Blessed are you, O God, maker and ruler of all things. Your voice thundered over the waters at creation. You water the mountains and send springs into the valleys to refresh and satisfy all living things.
Through the waters of the flood you carried those in the ark to safety. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery to freedom. In the wilderness you nourished them with water from the rock, and you brought them across the river Jordan to the promised land.
By the baptism of his death and resurrection, your Son Jesus has carried us to safety and freedom. The floods shall not overwhelm us, and the deep shall not swallow us up, for Christ has brought us over to the land of promise. He sends us to make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Pour out your Holy Spirit; wash away sin in this cleansing water; clothe the baptized with Christ; and claim your daughters and sons, no longer slave and free, no longer male and female, but one with all the baptized in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Affirmation by the Assembly
You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God’s faithful people,
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,
and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?
I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.
People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life in Christ?
We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.
Now, in thanksgiving to God for the saving waters of our baptisms and for the persistent presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, I invite you to dip your hand in the water and make the sign of the cross on your forehead because you have been marked with the sign of the cross of Christ forever.
Prayers of the People
Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.
A brief silence.
For the church throughout the world and its leaders, that guided by the Holy Spirit they proclaim the forgiveness of sins, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For wilderness and water, wind and wild beasts, and all living things on earth, that God’s goodness is revealed through creation and faithful stewards care for all God has made, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the nations of the world and their leaders, for laborers busy both day and night, and for peacemakers amid strife, that God inspire all people to use their strength wisely, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the sick and those who provide medical care, for the imprisoned and those who show them mercy, for the lonely and those who provide companionship, for all who suffer, particularly Alena, Jenna, Louis, Marilyn, Jerod & Julia, Julie, Nick, Jean, Marcella, Dennis, Michael, JoAnn, Sandy, Beth, Johnny, Lorry & Allen, Betty, Dione, Theresa, Margaret, Bruce, Tim, Henry, Mary, Ann Joyce, Greg, & Shelby, that God shower compassion, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
For the congregation gathered here, for students returning to school, for those seeking renewal in their daily work, that all the beloved of God experience grace and peace, let us pray. Have mercy, O God. In thanksgiving for the faithful departed who now rest from their labors, that their witness inspire us in our baptismal vocations, let us pray. Have mercy, O God.
Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
Offering Prayer
Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be blessing for others. With the trees of the field, with all earth and heaven, we shout for joy at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Benediction
Go forth to the world in peace; be of good courage,
hold fast to that which is good.
Render to no one evil for evil.
Strengthen the fainthearted, support the weak,
help the afflicted, honor everyone!
Love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
And may the blessings of the Triune God, Father, +Son and Holy Spirit be upon you now and forever.
Amen.
Text: F. Bland Tucker, 1895-1984, alt. Text © 1985 Church Pension Fund, admin. Church Publishing Incorporated. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722272. All rights reserved.
