The Baptism of Our Lord
Gathering
Prelude
“Spirit of Gentleness”
James K. Manley
Opening Hymn
“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed”
1 Hail to the Lord’s anointed,
great David’s greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
your reign on earth begun!
You come to break oppression,
to set the captive free,
to take away transgression
and rule in equity.
2 You come with rescue speedy
to those who suffer wrong,
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying,
are precious in your sight.
3 You shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth;
love, joy, and hope, like flowers,
spring in your path to birth.
Before you on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.
4 Kings shall fall down before you,
and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore you,
your praise all people sing.
To you shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
your kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Blessed be the Holy One of Israel, the Word made flesh, the Power of the Most High, ☩ one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
P: Gathered in the name of Jesus, let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: Gracious God,
C: in Christ Jesus you come among us as light shining in darkness. We confess our failure to welcome this light. Forgive us and renew our hope, so that we may live in the light of your grace, and welcome the truth of Christ the Lord. Amen.
P: I bring you good news of great joy for all people: To you is born a Savior, Christ the Lord. Your sins are forgiven in ☩ Jesus’ name.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray. Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, 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: Let us pray. Gracious God, your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Send your Holy Spirit upon Linda 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.
First Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7
1 But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my sight,
and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;
6 I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
and my daughters from the end of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Psalm 29
“The Lord Will Bless His People With Peace”
Leader
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
All
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
Leader
Give to the LORD, you sons of God, give to the LORD glory and praise.
Give to the LORD the glory due his name; adore the LORD in holy attire.
All
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
Leader
The voice of the LORD is over the waters, the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
All
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
Leader
The God of glory thunders, and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood; the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
All
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
The Lord will bless his people, bless his people with peace.
Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 3rd chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
We sing as the children move to the baptismal font for the Children’s Sermon:
Children’s Hymn #193 (green hymnal)
“Cradling Children in His Arm”
Cradling children in his arm,
Jesus gave his blessing.
To our babes a welcome warm
he is yet addressing.
Take them, Lord, give life anew
in the living waters!
Keep them always near to you
as your sons and daughters!
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for reflection and meditation
Hymn of the Day
“This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now”
1 This is the Spirit’s entry now:
the water and the word,
the cross of Jesus on your brow,
the seal both felt and heard.
2 This miracle of life reborn
comes from the Lord of breath;
the sinless one from life was torn;
our life comes through his death.
3 Let water be the sacred sign
that we must die each day
to rise again by his design
as foll’wers of his way.
4 Renewing Spirit, hear our praise
for your baptismal pow’r
that washes us through all our days.
Come, cleanse again this hour.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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. Amen.
The 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.
Offering Prayer
A: Merciful God, receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
The Meal
The Great Thanksgiving
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
LBW Setting 2 (green hymnal, p. 89)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: Holy One, the beginning and the end, the giver of life: Blessed are you for the birth of creation. Blessed are you in the darkness and in the light. Blessed are you for your promise to your people. Blessed are you in the prophets’ hopes and dreams. Blessed are you for Mary’s openness to your will. Blessed are you for your Son Jesus, the Word made flesh.
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.
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
P: With this bread and cup we remember your Word dwelling among us, full of grace and truth. We remember our new birth in his death and resurrection. We look with hope for his coming.
C: Come, Lord Jesus.
P: Holy God, we long for your Spirit. Come among us. Bless this meal. May your Word take flesh in us. Awaken your people. Fill us with your light. Bring the gift of peace on earth.
C: Come, Holy Spirit.
P: All praise and glory are yours, Holy One of Israel, Word of God incarnate, Power of the Most High, one God, now and forever.
C: 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: The True Light has come into the World. Come to his table and be filled with light and life.
The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Hymn #189 (green hymnal)
“We Know That Christ Is Raised”
1 We know that Christ is raised and dies no more.
Embraced by death, he broke its fearful hold,
and our despair he turned to blazing joy.
Hallelujah!
2 We share by water in his saving death.
Reborn, we share with him an Easter life,
as living members of our Savior Christ.
Hallelujah!
3 The Father’s splendor clothes the Son with life.
The Spirit’s fission shakes the church of God.
Baptized, we live with God the Three in One.
Hallelujah!
4 A new creation comes to life and grows
as Christ’s new body takes on flesh and blood.
The universe restored and whole will sing:
Hallelujah!
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
A: O Morning Star, fair and bright, you have refreshed us again with heavenly food. You are our dearest treasure. Go with us now—today, tomorrow, every day—that we tell the story of your never-ending love and sing your praise both now and forever.
C: Amen.
Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Blessing
P: God the creator strengthen you; Jesus the beloved fill you; and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn
“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.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
“Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”
Heinrich Fleischer
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Terry McDowell, Assisting Minister
Linda Miller, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, January 9: The Baptism of Our Lord
9 am Sunday School and Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Evangelism Committee
Wednesday, January 12
**No bell choir**
Thursday, January 13
6 pm Scouts BSA troop meeting
Sunday, January 16: Second Sunday after Epiphany
**Annual Reports from committees/ministries due to office**
10:30 am Worship Service
After Worship: Strategic Plan Round Table Discussion (in-person & Zoom)
4 pm Matthew Petersen Consecration
5:30 pm Gather Cincy Young Adults Bible Study
Monday, January 17
7 pm Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 18
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
Wednesday, January 19
7 pm Bell Choir rehearsal
Thursday, January 20
10:30 am Bible study – Sunday’s readings
Copyright Notices
“Spirit of Gentleness”: Text and music © 1978 James K. Manley.
“The Lord Will Bless His People With Peace”: Music © 2021 Francesca LaRosa. The English translation of the Psalm Response from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc.
“Cradling Children in His Arm”: Text © 1976 Johannes H. V. Knudsen, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
“This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now”: Text © Thomas E. Herbranson, admin. Augsburg Fortress; Arr. © 2006 Augsburg Fortress
“We Know That Christ Is Raised”: Text © 1967 John B. Geyer.
“Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized”: Text by F. Bland Tucker © 1985 Church Pension Fund, admin. Church Publishing Incorporated. All rights reserved.
“Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”: Arr. © 1953 Concordia Publishing House, 3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63118-3968.
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 © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.