Epiphany Sunday
Baptism of Our Lord – A
Jan. 8
This ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia is supported by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund.
Note: Prior Epiphany postings may be of help: From 2013, from 2012 and from 2011
Scripture (from the Revised Common Lectionary, with links provided by TextWeek.com – a source for thoughtful worship and preaching throughout the year):
Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:
Epiphany Texts
Baptism of Jesus Texts
Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17
Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal
97-Fairest Lord Jesus
171-God’s love made visible
173-As with gladness
172-We three kings
174-Brightest and best
151 The First Noel
426-The voice of Jesus calls his people
Baptism of Jesus:
177-What was your vow and vision
176-Sing of God made manifest
104-Of the Father’s love begotten
651-God who stretched the spangled heavens
183-We meet you, O Christ
365-Wash, O God, your sons and daughters
357-We call ourselves disciples
411-For the bread, which you have broken
The Oremus Hymnal offers many good choices for the lectionary (although this 2010 version will have incorrect calendar dates). Not all are available in Chalice Hymnal, but some may be helpful in congregations where there is not a Chalice Hymnal available. Visit the Oremus Hymnal.
More hymn suggestions, as well as helpful references for use of the arts in worship, are available from the United Church of Christ website.
Hymn of the Day from Rev. William Flewelling (© 2017, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
On Matthew 3:13-17
That now we fulfill righteousness
does Jesus come to John.
Out by the Jordan’s open flow
comes Jesus to the wash.
At recognition John protests;
yet Jesus stays to know,
know how the water bathes the soul
and washes free delight.
In rising form the flashing tide
with water draining free,
the Lord by Sprit is addressed,
by dove that comes to rest.
And in this moment too sublime
the heavens roar in joy:
this is the son, beloved well,
and pleasing in God’s sight.
CM Suggested tune: Wiltshire
Dealing with the Psalm of the Day:
Since Chalice Hymnal does not provide a complete Psalter, there will be occasions when suggestions may be made for alternate Psalm use (or hymn equivalent). A metrical version of the Psalter, for those Psalms not provided in Chalice Hymnal, is being prepared by Rev. David Chafin. Where practical, these may be offered here as well. You may also want to visit http://lectionarypsalms.org/
This week: Psalm 29 Chalice Hymnal p. 737; also see Call to Worship below for Psalm 29 or Psalm 72
Concerning the Following Items: Except where otherwise noted, items are created or adapted by the editor. If you are aware of source notations which are missing, please bring them to his attention. No copyright infringement is intended, but is sure to happen.
Call to Worship (adapted by the editor from Psalm 72)
L: Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel;
P: For God alone does wondrous things.
L: Blessed be God’s glorious name forever!
P: May God’s glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.
OR (adapted by the editor from Psalm 29)
L: Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
P: Ascribe to the LORD the glory of his name; worship the LORD in holy splendor.
L: The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters.
P: The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
L: May the LORD give strength to his people!
P: May the LORD bless his people with peace!
OR
L: We gather in the name of the living Christ to worship God.
P: Surely, God is in this place and calls us to worship in spirit and in truth.
L: God’s love is for you and for all people everywhere.
P: That we may share God’s love and life, may we be renewed in the refreshing Spirit of the living Christ.
L: The living Christ is with us.
P: Praise the Lord!
Invocation or Prayer of Approach
O Lord of all things bright and beautiful, may we begin this day in your name. Light of all light, our dayspring of hope, may we find warm reflections of your countenance in the face of each brother, sister, stranger and friend. As we work for your world this day, may our hunger be for justice and our thirst for peace. Feed us with your presence. Strengthen our hearts and steady our hands for the business of loving your creation. As children of the light, may we walk in your radiance this day. (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)
OR
Eternal and Almighty God, we praise you that you cause the sun to rise to bring us the light of this new day and that you raised Christ form the dead to bring us new life. May our lives always face his brightness so we may go wherever he leads, serving in gladness and peace (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)
OR
uMighty God, as your Spirit moving over the waters brought life from chaos in creation, the coming of Jesus Christ to this world has brought life to all who believe. Receive the praise and love of we who seek to live as his disciples, following him into the waters of new life. Give us now a fresh awareness of your presence here among us and in every place where Jesus walks today, for we pray in his name (who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”)
Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions
Eternal God, you have shown your glory to the nations in the coming of Christ. Guide the church that you have gathered on earth, preserve it in faith, that it may grow in witness and service to the world. Strengthen and uphold our pastors and leaders that they may faithfully strengthen and uphold the church, and help us all to faithfully join in partnership with you to do your work according to your will and example in Jesus.
Increase our faithfulness to you and bless us with new friends in our midst to share in the joy of discipleship. Increase the faith and understanding of those whose faith in you is new. Give to all in baptism a new birth as your children, and give us grace to nurture them in faith and in the communion of your saints.
Lord, you created humanity with a longing to know you, to be in fellowship with you and to have peace in you. Grant that, in spite of hurtful things that stand in their way, they may find in the unity of fellowship in Christ the tokens of your love and mercy, and grow to acknowledge you as God and Savior.
You, O Lord, are the champion of the poor, the oppressed, the lost and the lonely. Guide those in leadership toward the commonwealth of your justice, that in peace and freedom all may share in the goodness of your creation, and work with you in caring for it and for your creatures. You are the one who gives strength to the weary and new courage to the disheartened. Hear the prayers of all who call on you that they may have joy in finding you ever present to help…
Hear the prayers of your people, O God, for we lift them all to you in the name and Spirit of your Christ.
OR
O gracious and loving God, we come to you recognizing the wonders of life that you have given us. As winter falls around us, we pray that you will warm our hearts to your will and guidance in all of life, that we may truly live as your baptized people, continually working for the reign of your kingdom on earth.
Hear our prayers, O God, this day for all who are absent from us. Hear our concerns and hopes for them and all your people. Touch their lives with your grace that they may find healing, and peace, and love. May your Spirit touch us to ever reach out to them and to those around us that all may feel your generous love in their lives.
Hear our prayers for your world. May we see the beauty of creation and work for your peace throughout the world. These and all our prayers we lift to you in the name and Spirit of our life-giving Lord, Jesus Christ.
OR (from Oremus.org)
Lover of souls, you seal us by your Holy Spirit in baptism and claim us as your own forever: May our offering of beautiful worship be acceptable in your sight.
Lord, give strength to your people; bless us with peace.
Lover of souls, you sit enthroned as King for evermore: May the leaders of the nations do justice and govern with mercy.
Lord, give strength to your people; bless us with peace.
Lover of souls, you created the heavens and the earth: We praise you that you make holy such basic things of earth—water for baptism, grapes and grain to sustain our souls.
Lord, give strength to your people; bless us with peace.
Lover of souls, you forgive the sins of the penitent and care for the injured: Be with all victims of gun violence; heal and convert the hearts of the violent. May our city know peace.
Lord, give strength to your people; bless us with peace.
Lover of souls, your voice is a voice of splendor: speak healing and comfort to all the heartbroken and needy.
Lord, give strength to your people; bless us with peace.
Lover of souls, you called the light into being: Let light perpetual shine on those who have died. May we all rest in the hope of life eternal.
Lord, give strength to your people; bless us with peace.
God, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, mark us with your image, and raise us to live our baptismal vows empowered by the Holy Spirit and the example of Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Prayers from Common Worship*
Baptism of Christ
Collect Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Post Communion Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Additional Collect Heavenly Father, at the Jordan you revealed Jesus as your Son: may we recognize him as our Lord and know ourselves to be your beloved children; through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Epiphany Sunday
Collect O God, who by the leading of a star manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: mercifully grant that we, who know you now by faith, may at last behold your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Post Communion Lord God, the bright splendour whom the nations seek: may we who with the wise men have been drawn by your light discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Additional Collect Creator of the heavens, who led the Magi by a star to worship the Christ-child: guide and sustain us, that we may find our journey’s end in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Collect of the Day (from Book of Common Prayer, 1979**)
Epiphany
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son
to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by
faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to
face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Baptism of Our Lord
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River
Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him
with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his
Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly
confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Collect of the Day from Rev. William Flewelling (© 2017, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
Matthew 3:13-17
Displaced to find the Baptist’s hand,
Lord Jesus, come to fill all righteousness.
Submit as we to hands that cleanse
and rise to find the Spirit bathe
the measure of this life,
that we in grace abandon all
unto your calling touch, O God.
Service of Table
Offertory / Invitation to Give
The giving and receiving of gifts at Christmas time is born of the ancient Church’s celebration of this very day. At Epiphany, the story is told again of those who come before the young Christchild, seeking to give, eager to present the very best to this young king. In the process, they proclaimed what the religious world could not conceive: that this one Child, of humble birth and stature, has come to bring God’s saving love to all. May we consider well how our giving proclaims God’s love for all as we present our tithes and offerings.
Offertory Prayer
Thank you, God of Love, for the promise of this season. We are grateful for the generosity aroused in us by Christ’s coming into the world. May these gifts represent a new spirit of joyous sharing among us, for the sake of all your children everywhere. Amen.
Invitation to the Table
Friends, this is the joyful feast of the people of God. They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit at the table in the kingdom of God. This is the Lord’s table. Jesus invites all who seek to trust him to share in the feast which he has prepared. Let us come to his table now with hope and confidence as God’s children.
Prayer of Thanksgiving (Prayers for Bread and Cup)
(The following may be offered as one prayer, or broken between two Elders, if that is the tradition to be followed)
Holy One, you speak to us in silence, yet all languages interpret you. Because you call us into this community, we are able to become a gift to one another. We pray for your Holy Spirit to descend upon us and upon this bread and cup, that in sharing them we may discern your presence which becomes our life. Together, we celebrate Christ’s gifts, even as we bring our own, rejoicing in your presence, loving God, now and always.
OR
Gracious, life-giving God, as we who follow Jesus remember his baptism long ago, may our lives be renewed and our baptisms confirmed afresh. And as we gather at his Table, may we receive from your hands the gifts of earth and heaven. May this bread be for us his Body, and this cup his Blood, so that we who seek to live as his body in this world might be empowered by your Holy Spirit to follow him faithfully – from the water and into the world. Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever.
OR
- Loving and life-giving Lord, in remembrance of all your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we take this bread and give you thanks and praise. Pour out your Spirit upon us, that it may be for us the body of Christ, and that we, and all who share this feast, may be one with Christ and he with us.
- Fill us with eternal life, mighty God, as we receive the gift of this cup with hope and gratitude. May it be for us Christ’s blood, refreshing our spirits, that with joy we may be your faithful people until we feast with him in glory.
Conclusion: Through him, with him, and in him, in the power of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen.
If not previously offered: “And now with the confidence of your children, we offer the prayer our Savior taught us, ‘Our Father…’”
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Resources from the Jubilee Fund: This stewardship ministry serving the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) offers weekly emails for each Sunday’s service. Visit http://www.thejubileefund.com/ to learn more.
Rev. Tim Graves offers Liturgy Bits with valuable, culturally sensitive and creatively contemplative works, well worth your time.
You may also want to visit Worship Connection at MinistryMatters.com, which offers numerous helps, including electronic versions of print resources for worship and preaching planning.
Intercessions and other helpful planning materials geared to the Lectionary (using Roman Catholic version, but normally quite useful for all traditions) for preaching and worship are supplied for several weeks in advance at The Sunday Website of St. Louis University.
Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2016. Compiled by Simon Kershaw August 2016 from the Common Worship Calendar and Lectionaries using Almanac Maker; compilation © Simon Kershaw 2016; Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010. The Revised Common Lectionary is copyright © the Consultation on Common Texts 1992. The Daily Eucharistic Lectionary is adapted from the Ordo Lectionum Missae of the Roman Catholic Church reproduced by permission of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy. Adaptations and additions to the RCL and the DEL, together with Second and Third Service lectionaries and the Weekday Lectionary for Morning and Evening Prayer are copyright © the Archbishops’ Council 1997-2010. http://almanac.oremus.org/lectionary
Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.
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