 |
| Baptism of the Lord |
The Sunday Lectionary Readings
Sunday, January 8, 2023 — Baptism of the Lord
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17
"In The Beginning ... God Created"
Opening Statement
In the very beginning, God separated the darkness and the light. God called the Light "Day" and the Darkness, God called "Night". We were once people who dwelled in darkness, but God has given us the true Light, Jesus Christ. God has blessed us and adopted us as God’s own beloved children, through the sacrament of Baptism. The water of baptism brings to us healing and reconciliation; it is a symbol of nourishment and cleansing. This day is the day of the remembrance of Jesus’ Baptism. As we hear the words of his baptism, let us be reminded of our own adoption by God and celebrate the joyous connection to the Almighty God.
Opening Prayer
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 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. In our world, there is war, oppression, hunger, and alienation. We have not been good stewards of the world. We have not cared for one another. 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. Amen.
The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)
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.
Prayer of Confession
We are incredibly stubborn, O Lord. We have entered the season in which Your Light has been given to the world, your blessings have been poured out on the world, and yet all we can think about is our own problems, our own needs, our own desires. Help us to desire you, Lord. Help us to yearn for your presence. Pour your baptismal waters over us again, cleansing us from our self-pity and arrogance. Nourish and heal us so that we may joyfully serve you. Wash away our jealousy, greed, and all negative thoughts and behaviors that stand in the way of our truly being the people you have called us to be. Again let us receive the blessings offered in creation, in the birth and baptism of Jesus, and in the ministry of the saints of light. We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Words of Assurance
The love of God is always offered to us, freely, joyfully, for all eternity. Rejoice, dear friends, this is the Good News of our Lord. Amen.
Prayer of the Day
O God our Father, at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful to their calling to be our daughters and sons, and empower us all with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Reading
The servant of God brings justice
1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
2 He will not shout or cry out,
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
who gives breath to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
to be a covenant for the people
and a light for the Gentiles,
7 to open eyes that are blind,
to free captives from prison
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in
darkness.
8 “I am the Lord; that is my name!
I will not yield my glory to another
or my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce them to you.”
A Psalm and A Prayer
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 29
Afferte Domino
Responsive Readings from the Psalms and Prayers
for Public Worship and Private Devotions
Psalm 29
Afferte Domino
Leader: Ascribe to the LORD, you gods,
People: ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Leader: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his Name;
People: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Leader: The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders;
People: the LORD is upon the mighty waters.
Leader: The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice;
People: the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.
Leader: The voice of the LORD breaks the cedar trees;
People: the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
Leader: He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,
People: and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
Leader: The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;
People: the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
Leader: The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees writhe
People: and strips the forests bare.
Leader: And in the temple of the LORD
People: all are crying, “Glory!”
Leader: The LORD sits enthroned above the flood;
People: he LORD sits enthroned as King for evermore.
Leader: The LORD shall give strength to his people;
People: the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.
O God, You alone are worthy to be praised. You sit enthroned in the beauty of holiness. You reign as King of the universe and our Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, we praise You; for You gave Your life that we might be freed and cleansed from sin. And now, You reign at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Fill us with the Holy Spirit and empower us to serve You as we pray:
“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.”
Second Reading
Jesus’ ministry after his baptism
10:34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. A voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved,with whom I am well pleased." Alleluia. (Matt. 3:17)
The Gospel
Christ revealed as God’s servant
3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Here end the Lessons
Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]
The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Sunday Lectionary and Prayers for Sunday, January 8, 2023
Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43; Matthew 3:13-17
No comments:
Post a Comment