Lectionary Readings
Genesis 1:1–5
Over the deep and formless waters, God speaks: Let there be light.
Psalm 29
Give glory to God; the voice of the Lord is over the waters.
Acts 19:1–7
Paul baptizes new believers in Jesus’ name; they receive the Spirit.
Mark 1:4–11
Jesus is baptized; the Spirit descends; a voice says: You are my Son.
— Gathering —
Call to Worship
In the beginning a wind from God
swept over the waters.
Beloved children, gather at the font.
Again and again people have gathered
at the waters of grace.
Beloved children, gather at the font.
God’s Holy Spirit pours out upon us.
Beloved children, gather at the font.
Prayer of the Day
Gracious God,
we give thanks that in baptism
you give us new birth,
for baptismal water marks the beginning of life
for those who follow Jesus Christ.
Inspire us to hear the good news
declared at Jesus’ baptism,
to heed your voice from heaven proclaiming
that Jesus is your beloved,
and to believe that with Christ you are pleased.
Teach us to remember our baptism
and receive the Holy Spirit again and again.
Though we cannot earn your pleasure,
we desire your grace.
Speak to us words of mercy
and guide us with your love,
that our lives might declare your glory
in action, word, and deed.
In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving For Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the faith, hope, and love you give to us
through the blessing of our baptism—
claiming us as your beloved children,
calling us to the path of discipleship,
revealing to us the light of your glory.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
help us to follow you with faith,
to trust in you with hope,
and to serve you with love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Nothing can be hidden from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth,
whose wisdom is endless,
whose mercy is great.
Isaiah 40:27–28
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
God whose spirit moved over the waters,
you have washed us in your mercy,
claimed us as your own,
bound us in community,
and called us to lives of baptismal grace.
Forgive us, O God, for we have not lived
as if we were your baptized people.
We stumble over opportunities for forgiveness.
We prioritize our own selfish interests.
We are slow to disrupt the status quo,
even when it means ignoring our neighbors’ suffering.
Forgive us, O God, and by your forgiveness,
lead us back to your waters of transformation.
Lifting water from the font:
Those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will rise up to fly like eagles,
they will run and not be weary,
they will walk and not grow faint.
Isaiah 40:31
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Saving God, source of our calling,
your Word is full of power and glory.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
so that we may receive your grace
and live as your beloved children;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Speak to us, Lord,
for your servants are listening.
1 Samuel 3:9–10
After the readings:
A new teaching, with authority!
Thanks be to God.
Mark 1:27
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
To the Lord who speaks to us,
and strengthens us,
and blesses us with peace,
be all glory and honor forever. Amen.
Psalm 29:1, 11
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Time after Epiphany
God’s sovereign love is a mystery
beyond the reach of the human mind.
Human thought ascribes to God
superlatives of power, wisdom, and goodness.
But God reveals divine love in Jesus Christ
by showing power in the form of a servant,
wisdom in the folly of the cross,
and goodness in receiving
sinful men and women.
The power of God’s love in Christ
to transform the world
discloses that the Redeemer
is the Lord and Creator
who made all things
to serve the purpose of God’s love.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.15
Prayers of Intercession
Triune God,
hear us as we pray.
We pray for your church . . .
Keep your children, born of water and the Spirit,
faithful in your service.
Triune God, hear our prayer.
We pray for peace . . .
Let justice and mercy rule
in the hearts of world leaders.
Triune God, hear our prayer.
We pray for our nation . . .
Do not let pride blind us to the needs of others.
Triune God, hear our prayer.
We pray for our neighbors . . .
Help us to overcome differences
with love for one another.
Triune God, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are sick and lonely . . .
Visit them and bless them with your presence.
Triune God, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have lost heart . . .
Restore them and lift them up.
Triune God, hear our prayer.
Triune God,
your voice thunders over the waters.
Send your Spirit to rest upon us
so that we, like Jesus your Son,
may live into our baptism.
To you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
be glory now and forever. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
There is only one Lord and God,
from whom all things come
and for whom we live.
Let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 8:4–6
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
We praise and thank you, Lord God,
for the majesty of your work,
the wisdom of your word,
and the generosity of your grace.
Let the gifts of our lives bear witness
to your goodness and mercy,
your faithfulness and justice,
and your steadfast love for all. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
When earth was dark and a formless void
you spoke and there was light to shine upon the earth.
Your voice is over the waters and you bless us with peace.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan, your Spirit descended
and your voice came from heaven, proclaiming him your beloved child.
Through him we are born of water and the Spirit and called your own.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation (e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Your Spirit empowers us to be bold disciples,
giving us courage to proclaim your love and grace to all people
and making us one with all who share this feast.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
We give you thanks and praise, O God,
that you have fed us with your mercy
and poured out your Spirit in this place.
Continue to nourish and fill us each day,
that we may live as your beloved people;
in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
Beloved children of God,
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
the grace of Jesus Christ,
and the blessing of the Lord forever. Alleluia!
Mark 1:11, 9:7
As Jesus called the first disciples,
so he calls to us this day:
Follow me. Amen.
Mark 1:17, John 1:43
Baptism of Jesus
Lorenzo Scott, 1987
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Morning Has Broken (BUNESSAN) GTG 664 (O)
- Queerly Beloved SFHO (G)
- Spirit of the Living God (LIVING GOD) GTG 288 (E)
- Let All Things Now Living (ASH GROVE) GTG 37 (O)
WORD
- O Day of Rest and Gladness (ES FLOG EIN KLEINS WALDVÖGELEIN) GTG 393 (O)
- Praise the Spirit in Creation (JULION) EH 507 (OE)
- You Have Put on Christ (BAPTIZED IN CHRIST) GTG 491 (E)
- Preparen el camino del Señor (PREPAREN EL CAMINO) HP 69
EUCHARIST
- God of the Sparrow (ROEDER) GTG 22 (O)
- Thee We Adore, O Hidden Savior, Thee (ADORO TE DEVOTE) GTG 495 (E)
- Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song (BRIDEGROOM) GTG 285 (EG)
- Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (SPIRIT) GTG 291 (G)
SENDING
- Womb of Life and Source of Being (RAQUEL) GTG 3 (O)
- Crashing Waters at Creation (CRASHING WATERS) GTG 476 (OE)
- On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry (WINCHESTER NEW) GTG 96 (G)
- The Play of the Godhead (PERICHORESIS) GTG 9 (OEG)
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 29
Metrical
- All Glory, Laud, and Honor [VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN] GTG 196
- Joyful Is the Dark, Holy Hidden God [GEAR7] GWA 96
Responsorial
- Your Voice, Lord, Is a Voice of Splendor PSA 29D
- Praise the Lord PSA 26
Organ Music
- “Deep River,” from Jazz Hymns and Spiritual Songs, arr. Marianne Kim, LOR (M)
- “Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam,” BWV 684, Clavier-Übung III, J. S. Bach, IMSLP (A)
- “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise,” SALZBURG, The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series, Christmas, vol. 6, Johann Pachelbel, CON (E)
- “Children of the Heavenly Father,” TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA, Augsburg Organ Library: Baptism and Communion, arr. Robert A. Hobby, AF (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Let There Be Light,” Ana Levy-Lyons and Adam Todd, Podd Brothers Music, SATB, pno (E)
- “Ascribe to the Lord,” Rosephanye Powell, GP, SATB, pno (M)
- “Once Led to Your Font,” arr. Stephen Folkemer, AF, SAB, org, fl (E)
- “Take Me to the Water,” arr. Alice Parker, GIA, SAATB, acap (A)
- “Come to the Water,” Anna Laura Page, LOR, SATB or 2 pt mx, pno (E)
- “The Baptism of Jesus / Jesus Autem Hodie,” Peter Hallock, GIA, SATB, acap (A)
- “The One Who Clothes Himself with Light,” Brent Weiland, GIA, SATB, acap (M)
Art
- Baptism of Christ, Joachim Patinir (VDL)
- Baptism of Jesus, Lorenzo Scott (VDL)
- Bayou Baptism, Lauren Wright Pittman (VDL)
- River, John August Swanson (VDL)
