Baptism of our Lord

Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021

Prelude

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise 310

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
the fountain of living water,
the rock who gave us birth,
our light and our salvation.

Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism,
we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.

We give you thanks, O God,
for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters
and by your Word you created the world,
calling forth life in which you took delight.
Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family.
Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.
At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons,
making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life,
and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit,
and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.

GREETING

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

HYMN OF PRAISE

Glory be to God in heaven      p. 204, stanza 1

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.
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.

WORD

Children’s Time

FIRST READING: Genesis 1:1-5

1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM: Psalm 29

1Ascribe to the LORD, you gods, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due God’s name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is upon the mighty waters.
4The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice; the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor. R
5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6the LORD makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the LORD bursts forth in lightning flashes.
8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. R
9The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare. And in the temple of the LORD all are crying, “Glory!”
10The LORD sits enthroned above the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forevermore.
11O LORD, give strength to your people; give them, O LORD, the blessings of peace. R

SECOND READING: Acts 19:1-7

1While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied—7altogether there were about twelve of them.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION  p. 175

GOSPEL: Mark 1:4-11

4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN OF THE DAY/SOLOIST

Wade in the Water 459

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.
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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need. We especially lift up those who dedicate their lives to the service and benefit of others, especially: medical professionals, first responders, members of the military, missionaries and other ministers of the gospel, those who work for justice and peace, and teachers. We give thanks for your baptismal calling to each of us, and pray for your guidance in living out that calling as faithful disciples.

For the church throughout the world and its leaders, that guided by the Holy Spirit they proclaim the forgiveness of sins, let us pray. Lord have mercy.

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. Lord have mercy.

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. Lord have mercy.

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, that God shower compassion, let us pray. Lord have mercy.

For the congregation scattered physically but gathered together here virtually, for students returning to school in person and remotely, for those seeking renewal in their daily work, that all the beloved of God experience grace and peace, let us pray. Lord have mercy.

For those who are lonely, isolated, or homebound. We pray for all of those who need to sense your presence with them, especially Nancy Beth, Dallas, Marge, Karen, Paul, John, Janet, Avis, Alexis, Dave, Chris, Elise, Patricia and Willie. Let us pray. Lord have mercy.

For all members of this congregation. We give thanks for their faithful presence among us and for the gifts that they share. Today we pray especially for (families for the week). Bless them and protect them. Help them to know your continual presence in their lives, and lift them up through the bonds of Christian fellowship through this congregation. Let us pray. Lord have mercy.

In thanksgiving for the faithful departed who now rest from their labors, that their witness inspire us in our baptismal vocations, let us pray. Lord have mercy. 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.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFERING PRAYER

Let us pray. God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.

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 forever. Amen.

BLESSING

The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus.
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The God of all grace ☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Postlude

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright 308