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THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

January 12, 2020

THEME:  The First Sunday after the Epiphany takes us in mind and heart to the Jordan River, where Jesus is baptized. This day, observed each year in the Church, is a reminder of the importance of Baptism in the life of every Christian, for it is in dying with Christ through Baptism that we are born anew to eternal life. Although we may have not been baptized in the Jordan, we share with our Lord the experience of being baptized. Through Baptism, we are connected to Christ and given a whole new way of living for time and for eternity. Knowing that we live daily in baptismal grace makes the difference in our lives as well.

RINGING OF THE BELL

After the ringing of the bell, we prepare our hearts and minds in silence for today’s worship.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING BLESSING

L: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. 

CONFESSION/FORGIVENESS

L: Almighty God, Who revealed Your glory when the Son became man,

C: I try to do Your job—I play God when I turn away from You.  I think I know what is best for me and for other people.  I try to control things over which I have no power, and I too quickly give up on things I need to change.  I’ve hurt You, myself, and the people around me.  I need help.  Only You can hear me, forgive me, and return me to peace with Yourself, with myself, and with the people around me. 

Time of Silence

L: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us and has given His only Son to die for us and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all.

C: Amen. 

CHORAL ANTHEM: “God Gives Us a Future with Hope”            

                                                                                           By: Pepper Choplin

Surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for harm.

Surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for a future that’s full of hope.

Our God lives, our God loves, and gives us a future with hope.

Our God hears, our God cares, and gives us a future with hope.

Our God gives a future.

Surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for harm.

Surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for a future that’s full of hope,

so full of hope.

Our God lives, our God loves, and gives us a future with hope.

Our God hears, our God cares, and gives us a future with hope.

If you call Me, I will answer.

If you pray to Me, I will hear.

When you search for Me, I will be there.

When you seek Me with all your heart, you’ll find Me, you will find Me.

We know our God lives, our God loves, and gives us a future with hope.

Our God hears, our God cares, and gives us a future with hope.

So look to the future, embrace the future,

God give the future, God give us hope!

PRAYER OF THE DAY

L: We pray. Gracious God, in the Baptism of our Lord Jesus in the Jordan River, You affirmed Him Your beloved Son. Grant that we, Your beloved children, ever remain connected to Christ and live each day in our baptismal grace as we await the joy of life in Your eternal presence. This we ask for the sake of Jesus, our Savior.

C: Amen! 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

EPISTLE LESSON:                                                  Romans 6:1-11

Buried and raised with Christ, we walk in newness of life.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

This is the Word of the Lord.

 CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

HOLY GOSPEL:                                                   Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus is baptized by John in the Jordan River.

When Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

 

SERMON HYMN: “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”  TOSB 33

Come, thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.

While the hope of endless glory Fills my heart with joy and love,

Teach me ever to adore thee; May I still thy goodness prove.

Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by thy help I’m come;

And I hope, by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger Wand’ring from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed his precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be;

Let that grace now like a fetter Bind my wand’ring heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love.

Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it; Seal it for thy courts above.

SERMON

CONFESSING OUR FAITH

C: 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 to the dead.

             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. 

 

OFFERINGS GATHERED

We give our offerings as a sign of our lives given to the Lord in humble service.

PRAYERS OF GOD’S PEOPLE

L: Sovereign God, when people anywhere are in conflict, are driven by hate, or are living in countries with cruel taskmasters or brutal regimes, surround them with Your love.  Use us to bring word of Your compassionate embrace so that they may endure until relief is realized.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C: hear our prayer. 

L: Lord Jesus, we pray for all who face this day in sadness or grief, are facing sudden crisis or long-term ill, or are mourning the loss of a loved one.  {We remember especially…}  Restore joy to them through those who care about them—professionals, family, and friends—all who know the joy of Your gracious presence.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C: hear our prayer. 

L: O Holy Spirit, open doors of opportunity for people of peace so that nations will not raise up sword against one another, societies may be ordered for the good of all, and Your kingdom of grace may be extended without persecution.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C: hear our prayer. 

L: Loving Lord, help us to act in gentleness toward the forgotten in society, the invisible poor, the forgotten in prison, those about to be born, and those nearing their end of days.  Open our eyes to opportunities to serve their needs in Your name.  Lord, in Your mercy,

C: hear our prayer. 

L: These and any other things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant to us for the sake of Your Son, Jesus, our Lord.

LORD’S PRAYER

CLOSING SONG: “They’ll Know We are Christians”               

We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord,

We are one in the Spirit, We are one in the Lord,

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by are love.

We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand,

We will walk with each other, We will walk hand in hand,

And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from Whom all things come,

And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

EXTENDING PEACE:                   “Child Evangelism Fellowship”

                                                                                                Cora Tucker

DISMISSAL

L: Go in peace!  Serve the Lord!

C: Thanks be to God!