Worship Service: January 15, 2023

Baptism of Our Lord

Prelude

“We Shall Overcome”

Gathering

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

P:  In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:  Amen.

P:  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.

Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister gives thanks.

P:  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.

C:  Amen.

As a sign of our own baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection, we are sprinkled with water from the baptismal font during the opening hymn.

Entrance Hymn #690 (blue hymnal)

“Shall We Gather at the River”

1  Shall we gather at the river,
where bright angel feet have trod,
with its crystal tide forever
flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
the beautiful, the beautiful river;
gather with the saints at the river
that flows by the throne of God.

2  On the margin of the river,
washing up its silver spray,
we will walk and worship ever,
all the happy golden day. Refrain

3  Ere we reach the shining river,
lay we ev’ry burden down;
grace our spirits will deliver,
and provide a robe and crown. Refrain

4  Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
soon our pilgrimage will cease;
soon our happy hearts will quiver
with the melody of peace. Refrain

Greeting

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

C:  And also with you.

Kyrie

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 12)

L:  In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.

C:  Lord, have mercy.

L:  Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

C:  Amen.

Hymn of Praise

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 14)

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor, glory and might to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia.

For the Lamb, the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Amen

Prayer of the Day

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Let us pray.
O God our Father, at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful to their calling to be your daughters and sons, and empower us all with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:  Amen.

The Word

Blessing of the Lector

P:  Gracious God, your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Send your Holy Spirit upon Kathy as she proclaims the word, so that all who receive it will no longer dwell in the shadows, but will have the light of life.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated.

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
 my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
 he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
 or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
 and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
 he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
 until he has established justice in the earth;
 and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the LORD,
 who created the heavens and stretched them out,
 who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it
 and spirit to those who walk in it:
I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness,
 I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people,
 a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
 from the prison those who sit in darkness.
I am the LORD, that is my name;
 my glory I give to no other,
 nor my praise to idols.
See, the former things have come to pass,
 and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
 I tell you of them.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Psalmody: Special Music

“I Waited Patiently for Thee” (Psalm 40)
Stephen J. Pearson

Second Reading: Acts 10:34-43

34 Peter began to speak to Cornelius and his household: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Gospel Acclamation

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 17)

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17

P:  The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 3rd chapter.

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 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. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

P:  The Gospel of the Lord.

C:  Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Silence for reflection and meditation.

Hymn of the Day

“Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized”

1  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.

2  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.

3  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.

4  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.

Please stand as you are able.

Affirmation of Baptism

P:  I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.

The presiding minister addresses the assembly.

P:  Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?

C:  I renounce them.

P:  Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?

C:  I renounce them.

P:  Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?

C:  I renounce them.

P:  Do you believe in God the Father?

C:  I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

P:  Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

C:  I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

P:  Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

C:  I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

P:  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?

C:  I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.

P:  People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one another in your life in Christ?

C:  We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.

P:  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.

C:  Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

A:  Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

After each petition:

A:  Lord, in your mercy,

C:  Hear our prayer.

After the last petition:

A:  Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

The Peace

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

The ministers and congregation may greet one another with a gesture of peace.

Invitation to Offering

A:  God has called us in righteousness to be a light to all nations (Isaiah 42:6). Let us follow the Word of the Lord and be his light by giving our offering in Jesus’ name.

Presentation of the Gifts

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 21)

Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown,
that we may be fed, we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all;
unite them with the prayers we offer now.
Grace our table with your presence,
and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.

Offertory Prayer

A:  Let us pray.

C:  Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Meal

Dialogue

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Lift up your hearts.

C:  We lift them to the Lord.

P:  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C:  It is right to give our thanks and praise.

P:  It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. By the leading of a star he was shown forth to all nations; in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son; and in the miracle of water turned to wine he revealed your glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Sanctus

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 22)

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

P:  You are indeed holy, O God, the fountain of all holiness; you bring light from darkness, life from death, speech from silence. We worship you for our lives and for the world you give us. We thank you for the new world to come and for the love that will rule all in all. We praise you for the grace shown to Israel, your chosen, the people of your promise: the rescue from Egypt, the gift of the promised land, the memory of the ancestors, the homecoming from exile, and the prophets’ words that will not be in vain. In all this we bless you for your only-begotten Son, who fulfilled and will fulfill all your promises.

  In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

  Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.

  For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 24)

C:  Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

P:  Therefore, O God, with this bread and cup we remember the incarnation of your Son: his human birth and the covenant he made with us. We remember the sacrifice of his life: his eating with outcasts and sinners, and his acceptance of death. But chiefly we remember his rising from the tomb, his ascension to the seat of power, and his sending of the holy and life-giving Spirit. We cry out for the resurrection of our lives, when Christ will come again in beauty and power to share with us the great and promised feast.

C:  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

P:  Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we and all who share in this bread and cup may be united in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, may enter the fullness of the kingdom of heaven, and may receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

C:  Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

P:  Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.

C:  Amen, amen, amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

P:  Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

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 trespasses,
 as we forgive those
  who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
 but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
 and the power, and the glory,
 forever and ever. Amen.

Invitation to Communion

P:  Come and taste the joy of God!

Please be seated.

Agnus Dei

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 25)

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.

Communion

P:  The Body of Christ, broken for you.

  The Blood of Christ, shed for you.

Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.

Communion Hymn #205 (green hymnal)

“Now the Silence”

  Now the silence
Now the peace
Now the empty hands uplifted
Now the kneeling
Now the plea
Now the Father’s arms in welcome

  Now the hearing
Now the pow’r
Now the vessel brimmed for pouring
Now the body
Now the blood
Now the joyful celebration

  Now the wedding
Now the songs
Now the heart forgiven leaping
Now the Spirit’s visitation
Now the Son’s epiphany
Now the Father’s blessing
Now
Now
Now

Communion Hymn #647 (blue hymnal)

“When Jesus Came to Jordan”

1  When Jesus came to Jordan
to be baptized by John,
he did not come for pardon
but as the Sinless One.
He came to share repentance
with all who mourn their sins,
to speak the vital sentence
with which good news begins.

2  He came to share temptation,
our utmost woe and loss,
for us and our salvation
to die upon the cross.
So when the dove descended
on him, the Son of Man,
the hidden years had ended,
the age of grace began.

3  Come, Holy Spirit, aid us
to keep the vows we make;
this very day invade us,
and ev’ry bondage break.
Come, give our lives direction,
the gift we covet most:
to share the resurrection
that leads to Pentecost.

Table Blessing

P:  The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

C:  Amen.

Post-Communion Canticle

♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 26)

Thankful hearts and voices raise; tell everyone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice, rejoice and bear Christ’s holy name.
Send us, O God, with your promises, and lead us forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.

Post-Communion Prayer

A:  Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

Sending

Announcements for God’s Mission in the World

Please stand as you are able.

Blessing

P:  Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.

C:  Amen.

Closing Hymn #697 (blue hymnal)

“Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters”

1  Wash, O God, our sons and daughters,
Where your cleansing waters flow.
Number them among your people;
Bless as Christ blessed long ago.
Weave them garments bright and sparkling;
Compass them with love and light.
Fill, anoint them; send your Spirit,
Holy dove and heart’s delight.

2  We who bring them long for nurture;
By your milk may we be fed.
Let us join your feast, partaking
Cup of blessing, living bread.
God, renew us, guide our footsteps;
Free from sin and all its snares.
One with Christ in living, dying,
By your Spirit, children, heirs.

3  Oh, how deep your holy wisdom!
Unimagined, all your ways!
To your name be glory, honor!
With our lives we worship, praise!
We your people stand before you,
Water-washed and Spirit born.
By your grace, our lives we offer.
Recreate us; God, transform!

Dismissal

A:  Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Postlude


Worship Leaders

The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Donald Harris, Assisting Minister
Kathy Crosby, Reader
Donny Cathcart, Acolyte
Liam Cathcart, Book Bearer

Upcoming Events

Sunday, January 15: Baptism of Our Lord

**Annual Committee/Ministry Reports due to office**

9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
2 pm The Chosen Bible study
6:30 pm Worship & Music Committee (Zoom)

Monday, January 16

7 pm Council Meeting

Tuesday, January 17

5:30 pm Confirmation Class

Thursday, January 19

10:30 am Bible study (in-person / Zoom)
7 pm Cliques, Drama, and Gossip: Conflict in the Early Church Bible Study

Sunday, January 22: 3 Epiphany

9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
After Worship: Annual Meeting
2 pm The Chosen Bible study

Monday, January 23

**Epistle articles deadline**

Tuesday, January 24

6:30 pm Venture Scouts

Thursday, January 26

10:30 am Bible study (in-person / Zoom)
6 pm Scouts BSA
7 pm Cliques, Drama, and Gossip: Conflict in the Early Church Bible Study

Saturday, January 28

9 am Council Retreat

Copyright Notices

I Waited Patiently for Thee: Text and music by Stephen J. Pearson © 1996 Psalmistry Music.

Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized: Text by F. Bland Tucker © 1985 The Church Pension Fund.

Now the Silence: Text by Jaroslav J. Vajda and music by Carl F. Schalk © 1969 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

When Jesus Came to Jordan: Text by Fred Pratt Green © 1980 by Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters: Text by Ruth Duck © 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House, admin. Music Services, Brentwood, TN. Arr. © 1985 Augsburg Fortress.

Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.

Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.