Virtual Service for January 10, 2021
Baptism of Our Lord
GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
Our re-creation in baptism is an image of the Genesis creation, where the Spirit of God moved over the waters. Both Mark’s gospel and the story in Acts make clear that it is the Spirit’s movement that distinguishes Jesus’ baptism from John’s. The Spirit has come upon us as upon Jesus and the Ephesians, calling us God’s beloved children and setting us on Jesus’ mission to re-create the world in the image of God’s vision of justice and peace.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
the fountain of living water,
the rock who gave us birth,
our light and our salvation.
Amen.
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.
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.
Amen.
GATHERING SONG
Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized (ELW 304)
Performed by Bev Haines and Nanette Lutz
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.
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
FIRST READING
Acts 19:1-7
In Ephesus, Paul encounters people who had received John’s baptism of repentance but had never heard of the Holy Spirit or of baptism in the name of Jesus. After Paul baptizes them, the Holy Spirit comes upon them and empowers them with gifts of the Spirit.
A reading from Acts:
1While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied—7altogether there were about twelve of them.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL
Mark 1:4-11
The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.
4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
Is Baptism Important? Really?
Pastor Harkness
HYMN OF THE DAY
When Jesus Came to Jordan (WOV 647)
Performed by Bev Haines and Nanette Lutz
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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION\
Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.
A brief silence.
The response to “Lord in your mercy” is “hear our prayer.”
The prayers conclude:
Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen.
OFFERING
ANTHEM
Fairest Lord Jesus, Traditional, arr. by Sue
Performed by Laurie and Michael Elia, Handbell Duet
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
O God,
receive these gifts as you receive us:
like a mother receives her child, with arms open wide.
Nourish us anew in your tender care,
and empower us in faithful service
to tend to others with this same love,
through Jesus Christ, our saving grace.
Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
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.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
God the creator strengthen you;
Jesus the beloved fill you;
and the Holy Spirit the comforter ☩ keep you in peace.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Be the light of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
SENDING SONG
God, Whose Almighty Word (ELW 673)
Performed by Bev Haines and Nanette Lutz
1. God, whose almighty word
chaos and darkness heard
and took their flight:
hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light.
2. Christ, who once came to bring,
on your redeeming wing,
healing and sight;
health to the troubled mind,
sight where illusions blind;
oh, now to humankind
let there be light.
3. Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy dove,
speed forth your flight;
move on the water's face
bearing the lamp of grace,
and in earth's darkest place
let there be light.
4. Holy and blessed three,
glorious Trinity,
Wisdom, Love, Might:
boundless as ocean's tide,
rolling in fullest pride,
through the earth, far and wide,
let there be light.
From sundaysandseasons.com.
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