11. Year B - First Sunday after Epiphany (The Baptism of Our Lord)

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VERSION: 9 April 2002

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY, YEAR B

BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

In 2003: 12 Jan

In 2006: 8 Jan

In 2009: 11 Jan

In 2012: 8 Jan

In 2015: 11 Jan

- - -

Note: For explanations and suggestions on the various resources provided, see the documents 'General notes and resources' and 'Epiphany season and time after' in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

LITURGY

SENTENCE

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

God said, 'Let there be light';

and there was light.

And God saw that the light was good;

and God separated the light from the darkness. (Gen 1:3,4 NRSV)

OR

John testified, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,

and it remained on him.  (John 1:32 NRSV)

OR

The Father's voice bears witness to the Son.

God has shown himself to us.

The Son bows his head beneath the waters of the Jordan.

God has  shown himself to us.

The Spirit descends  upon the Son like a dove.

God has shown himself to us.

And God's love is seen to the end of the world.

God has shown himself to us.

OR, use the standard Epiphany Sentence in the document 'Epiphany season and time after', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

OR, use one of the general Sentences in the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION

Conduct the entire opening section of the liturgy, from 'In the name' to the end of the absolution, from the baptismal font. At either 'In the name' or where the Triune name is declared in the absolution, the minister may scoop up water from the font as he names each of the three Persons.

In addition, these words from the Small Catechism may be used to introduce the confession.

Friends in Christ:

The catechism teaches us that because we have been baptised, we should keep on drowning the old nature we were born with; everything selfish and sinful in us has to die. This happens when day after day we are sorry for the wrong things we have done and ask God to forgive us. And the new nature God has given us in baptism should come to life day after day. We should live as new people, who do what is right and good and live with God forever.

Therefore, let us draw near to God our Father with a true heart to confess our sins, and ask him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.

AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM

In the place of the confession and absolution, or in the place of the creed, the congregation may be invited to affirm their baptism by using the form found in the Easter Vigil service in Church Rites, pp 301,302. This is reproduced here:

Brothers and sisters in Christ:

Do you renounce the devil

and all his works

and all his ways?

Yes, I do.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in God the Son?

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,

and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty,

from thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

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.

* or: Christian; catholic here means universal

Do you intend to remain firm in this faith and reflect it in love to God and your neighbour?

Yes, I do.

(May) God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given you new birth by water and the Spirit and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with his Spirit, so that you receive eternal life.

With due pastoral care and explanation, this affirmation may be enhanced by using the asperges (sprinkling) ceremony. After the affirmation (or after the absolution, if the affirmation is not used) the congregation sings a baptismal song or hymn, while the minister walks around the congregation and sprinkles them with water. An evergreen sprig and a small bowl of water are suitable for this purpose. (For more detail, see the document ‘Sprinkling (asperges) ceremony’ in the ‘Rites and services’ folder.)

LORD, HAVE MERCY

The following variation of the 'Lord, have mercy' may be used.

Lord Jesus Christ, God's beloved Son, hear our prayer and save us.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, God's chosen one, hear our prayer and help us.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ, God's anointed one, hear our prayer and give us peace.

Lord, have mercy.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Note: The traditional collect (given in two forms below) predates the three-year lectionary's emphasis on the baptism of our Lord on the First Sunday after Epiphany. For this reason, the traditional collect does not reflect this aspect of today's celebration. A second traditional collect (modernised) has therefore been added to the collects for use on this day in addition to the usual alternative collect.

Traditional

O Lord,

mercifully receive the prayers of your people

who call on you;

and grant that they may perceive

the things they ought to do,

and may have the power

faithfully to fulfil them;

through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, modernised traditional

Lord, in your mercy

listen to the prayers of your people who call on you.

Help us to see what we ought to do,

and give us the strength to do it.

We ask this through your Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, another traditional collect (modernised)

(Let us pray that God will keep us faithful to our baptismal calling. [silence])

Father in heaven,

you proclaimed Jesus as your dear Son

at his baptism,

and anointed him with the Holy Spirit.

May all who are baptised into Christ

remain faithful in their calling to be your children

and inherit eternal life with him.

For he lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new (revised alternative)

(Let us pray that we live as God's baptised children. [silence])

Loving Father,

you anointed Jesus at his baptism

with the Holy Spirit,

and revealed him as your dear Son.

Thank you for making us your children

by water and the Spirit.

Keep us faithful to you

throughout our lives.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST READING

Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God creates light

PSALM

Psalm 29

Antiphon:

The Lord sits enthroned as king forever. (Ps 29:10b NRSV)

OR

May the Lord bless his people with peace! (Ps 29:11b NRSV)

SECOND READING

Acts 19:1-7 Paul baptises believers in Ephesus

ALLELUIA VERSE (Luke 3:22 NRSV)

Alleluia, alleluia.

A voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the Beloved;

with you I am well pleased.'

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

Mark 1:4-11 The baptism of Jesus

The words 'Light of the world' could be added to the gospel acclamations, giving:

Glory to you, O Lord, Light of the world.

Praise to you, O Christ, Light of the world.

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of  the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ (, Light of the world).

Thank you, Lord Jesus,

for revealing yourself at your baptism as God's dear Son.

Fill us, your baptised children, with your Spirit.

Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER

Gracious God, we thank you for Jesus

and for being made your own children.

Teach us to live as your precious people,

filled with your Holy Spirit,

doing what you want us to do.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

As God's dear children through holy baptism, let us pray to our loving Father in heaven, trusting that he will hear us in his mercy.

The regular response, OR:

Lord, in your mercy,

hear the prayers of your children.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Father, you have sustained your whole church in faith by freely giving your Holy Spirit. Keep us in the power of your Spirit, so that we may always live with the freedom that comes from trusting your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You have sent your only Son

to appear among us as a human being,

and through him

you have fully revealed

the light of your presence to us.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

COMMUNION INVITATION

Jesus says:

'The bread that God gives

is he who comes down from heaven

and gives life to the world.'

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

A seasonal post-communion prayer for Epiphany may be found in the seasonal notes for Epiphany. If the fourth prayer given above under 'Prayer of the day' has not already been used, it may be used at this point in this modified form:

Loving Father,

you anointed Jesus at his baptism

with the Holy Spirit,

and revealed him as your dear Son.

Thank you for making us your children

by water and the Spirit.

As we have received Christ's body and blood

in this sacrament,

keep us faithful to you

throughout our lives.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SEASONAL BLESSING

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

God the Father

show you the light of his glory

in the face of his Son,

so that you may be a light to the world; . . .

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Live as new people, the baptised children of God.

Thanks be to God. OR In the  name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND  SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      G3, G4 . . . =        Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .

      GS =        Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading: Genesis 1:1-5

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: Acts 19:1-7

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: Mark 1:4-11

LHS

AT

TIS

PSALM 29

For musical settings of Psalm 29, see Music Packages 1, 4, 5 and 7. See also TIS 17 O give the Lord, you children of God.

The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 29 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to the tune Kremser (LHS 887, TIS 107). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Now honour the Lord, all you angels in heaven,

now honour the Lord with all glory and power,

now honour the name of the Lord with all due glory,

and worship in his temple of splendour with awe.

The voice of the Lord thunders over the waters;

the voice of the Lord is majestic and strong;

the voice of the Lord makes the cedars crack and splinter,

and Lebanon and Sirion dance to his song.

The voice of the Lord flames out lightning in flashes;

the voice of the Lord shakes the desert with storms;

the voice of the Lord rips up trees and flattens forests,

while all within his temple cry 'Glory!' to God.

The Lord was enthroned on the flood and the waters;

the Lord sits enthroned as our King and our God;

the Lord will give strength to his people in their trouble,

the Lord will give his people the peace of his word.

BAPTISMAL HYMNS

The first Sunday after Epiphany is often observed as a baptismal festival. If a baptismal emphasis is desired, the hymns from the baptismal sections of the Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement (275-80, 825-33) are appropriate, as are the following songs from the 'All Together' songbooks.

A selection could also be made from Together in Song. See the index of subjects, under the heading of Baptism, in the harmony edition of TIS (p 1035).

When Christ our Lord to Jordan came (LHS 748)

This excellent Luther hymn is not easy to sing. Congregations may find the following version easier. It has been adapted by David Sch¸tz from the text in the Supplement by Henry Proeve, and is sung to the tune of Greensleeves (LHS 746).

When Christ our Lord to Jordan came,

his Father's will obeying,

John baptised him beneath the waves,

his mission thus portraying.

This was his holy sign

to cleanse us from transgression,

and by his holy death

he frees us from oppression.

Hear then and mark the message well,

God's own clear declaration,

what we must learn baptism is

to keep from aberration.

With water we baptise -

this is God's will and pleasure -

connected with his word

and Spirit without measure.

To us this truth with ample proof

through words and signs is given.

From Jordan's banks we clearly hear

the Father's voice from heaven:

This is my own dear Son,

with whom I am delighted;

listen and follow him,

all you by him invited.

Now God's own Son himself is here

in youthful manhood standing;

we see the Holy Spirit too,

in form of dove descending.

Here Father, Spirit, Son,

makes promises compelling:

in those who are baptised

our God will make his dwelling.

The Lord to his disciples says:

Go out, teach every nation

that lost in sin, they must repent,

to flee from condemnation;

believe and be baptised -

you shall be saved forever;

the kingdom now is yours -

newborn and dying never.

If lacking faith, we still reject

this grace so freely given,

we stay in sin, condemned to death,

and to despair are driven.

Good works will count for naught;

whatever holy things we do,

sin dwells in everyone;

ourselves we cannot rescue.

Our mortal eyes can only see

mere water as we pour it,

but faith in spirit sees the power

of Jesus' blood and merit.

Here flows the crimson flood,

dyed with the blood of Jesus;

this washes Adam's heirs

from all our sin and frees us.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

GENESIS 1: 1-5: It is good for us to be reminded in the words of this reading that there is purpose in all of the creation, that it didn't just come about by blind chance. By his almighty word God has brought matter to be from nothing. He has ordered the universe out of chaos. Over against darkness he has brought light into being. Morning always follows evening. Our lives also make sense, despite the surrounding chaos and darkness.

ACTS 19 :1-7: St Paul spent a fruitful two and a half years preaching and teaching in Ephesus. Early in this stay a remarkable incident occurred. He came across twelve 'disciples', believers in Christ, who had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit. They had been baptised only with John the Baptist's preparatory baptism for repentance. After instruction, Paul baptised them in the name of Jesus. Together with the laying on of hands by Paul, they received the Holy Spirit in a very visible way. Congregations need constantly to instruct and equip members further where there are deficiencies in faith and life.

MARK 1: 4-11: The first part of this selection deals with John (the Baptist) calling people to prepare for the long-expected Messiah. Hearts and lives are to be turned around completely in repentance. Baptism with water brought the cleansing of forgiveness. The second part of the selection describes the baptism of Jesus. He had no sin but took his place alongside sinners in this act. Immediately Jesus sees heavenly things; the witness of the Holy Spirit's presence for his earthly ministry becomes visible (the dove). The voice of the Father attests and approves Jesus' divine sonship. Here is a clear revelation of the Trinity; yet the Triune God is always encountered through the Christ.

VISUAL

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or visual symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. For instance, the first reading could be accompanied by a picture of light shining  through clouds; and the gospel could be accompanied by a picture of Jesus being baptised or the Spirit coming down on him, eg like the illustration in TEV for John 1:32. Alternatively, a symbol of baptism (eg a shell with three drops) could be displayed during the reading of the gospel.

SYMBOLS

The following symbols for the baptism of Jesus may be made into a banner (placed near the baptism font) or displayed on the overhead projector:

FLORAL DISPLAY

A simple white vertical arrangement could be set up, perhaps including a dove in the arrangement.

DECORATION OF THE FONT

The font may be dramatically emphasised by draping a blue (for water), red (for the Spirit), or white (for purity) length of material from the ceiling of the church above the baptismal font down to the font itself.

If the font is moveable and not normally in a central position in the church, it be moved to the centre in front of the sanctuary for this service.

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'

See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

DRAMATISING THE READINGS

The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the second reading could be read by three readers: narrator, Paul, believer; and the gospel could be read by three readers: narrator (the pastor), John, God's voice from heaven. Alternatively, the story could be acted out, perhaps by children.

CHILDREN

CHILDREN AND THE READINGS

Chidren could be involved in making and displaying pictures/symbols (see above under 'Visuals for the readings' and 'Symbols'). They may act out the gospel.

TALKING WITH THE CHILDREN

A talk with the children could refer to being made God's children through baptism. They could be shown the font, preferably with water in it.

BAPTISM

The children could take part in the Catechism dialogue (see below under 'Catechism'). If there is a baptism, they  may be invited to come near the font to watch (but make sure the baptism party is asked first).

'COME AND SEE JESUS'

The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

This week's story is: 'The baptism of Jesus' (to be found in both the original and RCL editions, 1 Epiphany, year B).

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

BAPTISMS

This Sunday is one of several in the church year that is especially suitable for baptisms or baptismal remembrance. You may plan to schedule baptisms on this date. Alternatively, you may wish to invite all those who have been baptised in the past year to come to church for a special baptismal service.

HOLY BAPTISM AS A SEPARATE SERVICE

In 1998, the Commission on Worship prepared an outline for a service in which baptism is the main event. This outline may be found in the document 'Holy baptism as a separate service' in the 'Rites and services' folder.

CATECHISM

The following dialogue from the Small Catechism may be used in several ways: as a question and answer between pastor and congregation, or by two or more readers, or by a Sunday school or Kids Club group. It might even be dramatised. However, avoid giving the congregation long sections to say, since this is often difficult. It may be best if the congregation ask the questions in the dialogue.

      This message is certainly true.