Baptism of Jesus B
Jan. 10
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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:
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11
Suggested Hymns from Chalice Hymnal
280-God is here
2-Joyful, joyful, we adore thee
86-Great is thy faithfulness
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
565-If you will trust in God to guide you
426- The Voice of Jesus Calls His People
411-For the bread, which you have broken
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 (© 2021, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
On Genesis 1:1-5
You spoke, O God, when all was waste
and all the Deep lay void.
You spoke and Spirit hovered low
and blew across Deep’s face.
You spoke of light when darkness reigned
to signal order there.
You spoke: Let there be light to shine
and split the darkness fair.
We find the light directs us now,
the Deep resounds with grace.
And over all the Spirit breathes
to catapult delight.
Upon the Deep, where waters steep,
you breathe to bless and cure.
You ready now the bathing Deep
to welcome life to shine.
Into the waters do we lie
and from the Deep we rise.
Your blessing by the Spirit’s breath
speaks life upon this face.
CM Suggested tune: Horsley
OR
On Mark 1:4-11
Into the wilderness, to John,
our Savior goes alone.
Unto repentance preached he comes,
the One more worthy yet.
The water of the Jordan waits
to part for his descent,
to welcome in the hastened tide
the Lord of all in love.
Unworthy to let loose a shoe,
John baptizes in turn,
prepares the One who brings to us
the Holy Spirit fire.
Fresh from the water Jesus hears:
Beloved Son you are,
my pleasure in your coming soars
as heaven lifts its joy.
Austere and chiseled by the sun,
John stands in river’s flow
to welcome in forgiveness’ grace
the fine, redeeming face.
CM Suggested tune: Albano
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 is on p. 737
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
In the waters of baptism, we die to ourselves and are recreated through the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ. Water can be threatening (a flood or a powerful current), refreshing (a cool drink on a hot summer day), or invigorating (a morning shower or a swim in cool water). How do we receive the gift of our baptism, in the light of the baptism of Jesus? And what are the gifts that are ours because of it?
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 adapted from MinistryMatters.com
L: Darkness is gone. New Hope has arisen for each of us.
P: We are forgiven and blessed.
L: We are marked by God as disciples
P: God has entrusted us with God’s own message of hope.
L: Come, Spirit of God, and rest upon us.
P: Enable us to be people of hope and peace.
OR adapted from ministrymatters.com
L: Creator God, Holy One,
P: you have made us in your image, and we are precious in your sight.
L: Jesus Christ, Son of God,
P: we stand at the river, ready to share in your baptism.
L: Holy Spirit, Dove of Peace,
P: set us on fire with the power of your love.
OR from ministrymatters.com
L: From the waters of Creation, the earth sprang forth.
P: From the waters of a womb, God’s blessed Son was given to us.
L: From the waters of a river, people were baptized and marked as God’s Children
P: Praise be to God, whose loving gifts and presence have called us together.
L: Let us shout our love to God for God’s abundant love
P: Amen.
Invocation or Prayer of Approach
Mighty 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…”)
OR adapted from ministrymatters.com
Lord of Hope and Light, in the midst of darkness you offered light to people who lived in fear. Today that light comes to us as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Open our hearts this day and remind us that you have marked us as people of hope and light. Prepare us to serve you by serving your world (in the spirit of Christ our Lord, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father…”)
OR adapted from ministrymatters.com
Holy God of glory and majesty, you have called us by name. We pray in this moment for the courage and the strength to answer your call. As we open our ears to hear the story of your Son’s baptism, open our hearts also, that we may experience again the renewing power of rebirth in the Holy Spirit. Inspire us in this time of worship, that we may claim our own identity as your beloved children. We pray in the name of our brother, Jesus Christ (who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father…”)
OR from ministrymatters.com
Almighty God, parent of all who call upon your name, in the waters of baptism you have transformed us, marking us as your children, and recreating us through the work of your Son and the power of the Holy Spirit. Shower us once more with your grace that we might be renewed in your spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior (who taught us to pray, saying, “Our Father…”)
Pastoral Prayer – Prayers of the People – Intercessions
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.
OR from ministrymatters.com
Creator God, when everything first began, water became a symbol of refreshing, of washing away, of renewing. Through the waters of creation you brought forth abundant life. We have gathered this day to remember Jesus’ baptism, how when he came up out of the water your Spirit proclaimed that He was your beloved Son in whom you were very well pleased. Our spirits resound with that proclamation. In His baptism, Jesus’ ministry was initiated. He dedicated his life to you completely and without reservation. Help us to dedicate our lives to you, to offer our best for you, to be of service to you by serving in your world. As we have lifted before you the names of people near and dear to us who need your healing touch and your tender mercies, we have also lifted ourselves up as people in need of your grace. Our world is in the midst of strife; wars, oppression, famine, hunger, alienation, situations in which we have abused the world and each other. Heal us and this world, Lord. Renew us with your life-giving waters and re-affirm our baptisms as your children. Let us go forth to be people of peace and mercy. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name.
Prayers from Common Worship*
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**)
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 (© 2021, William Flewelling; All rights reserved)
Mark 1:4-11
Unto the Baptist’s hands you come, Lord Jesus;
unto his hands you do submit in baptism.
As you arise, you hear the word:
A son, well pleasing to our God.
Confirm in us the coming to our God
that as we do submit, we find
your pleasure in our offered hearts, our lives.
Service of Table
While all of our congregations navigate the Sacred Board in a different way, it seems, there are common elements in most, which are provided here. We would love to hear if your congregation has variations to these elements which we might address in the future.
Offertory / Invitation to Give
We hear again the story of Jesus giving himself more deeply into our lives through baptism, and the opening of heaven’s blessing upon him as he offered his life to God in prayer. Together, we who have heard the call to follow him in baptism, are also offering ourselves to the world, and opening ourselves to God’s blessing, every time we give of ourselves more deeply to others. Through our tithes and offerings, as we approach the Table of Christ’s self-giving, we renew our baptismal vows, and affirm God’s reign in our own lives as stewards of God’s gifts. Come, let us bring our lives before God in the gifts we bring today.
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
God, who is the Lord and giver and all of life, draws us back toward a moment that marks all of our moments in baptismal faith. We come to the Table of Christ, we renew our covenant with God, who is always reaching to give to us all the gifts of earth and heaven. Here, we find in the bread his body, and in the cup his blood, all given that we might truly live as his body in the world, empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow him faithfully from the water and into the world. Let us come to the Table with open hearts, ready to receive from God’s hands the nourishment to move at God’s direction.
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)
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.
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…’”
MORE…
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 2019. Calendar for 2020
Sun 1 Dec 2019. CW* Almanac and Lectionary 2019-20. Common Worship Almanac and Lectionary. for the year beginning Advent Sunday 2019. Compiled by Simon Kershaw August 2019 from the Common Worship Calendar and Lectionaries
using Almanac Maker. compilation © Simon Kershaw 2019 Almanac Maker © Simon Kershaw 2010-2019.
Book of Common Prayer (1979), Public domain.
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