The First Sunday after the Epiphany:

The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ

11 January 2026


8 AM Spoken Worship

10 AM Worship with music - Holy Baptism

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Processional Hymn: #121

Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized!

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.

2 God called you his beloved Son,
called you his servant true,
sent you his kingdom to proclaim,
his holy will do to.

3 Straightway and steadfast until death
you then obeyed the call
freely as Son of Man to serve
and 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.

Celebrant:  Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People:  And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day, p.214

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.

A Reading from the Book of Isaiah 42:1-9

Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;

a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.

He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,

who gives breath to the people upon it
and spirit to those who walk in it:

I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;

I have given you as a covenant to the people,
a light to the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind,

to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am the Lord, that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.

See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

The Response is Psalm 29

We will speak it responsively by verse.

1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, *
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his Name; *
worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; *
the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; *
the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; *
the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; *
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe *
and strips the forests bare.

9 And in the temple of the Lord *
all are crying, "Glory!"

10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; *
the Lord sits enthroned as King for evermore.

11 The Lord shall give strength to his people; *
the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

A reading from the Book of Acts 10:34-43

Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

The Word of the Lord

Thanks be to God

Gradual: Hymnal #295

Sing Praise to Our Creator

1 Sing praise to our Creator,
O you of Adam's race
God's children by adoption,
baptized into his grace.

2 To Jesus Christ give glory,
God's co-eternal Son;
as members of his Body
we live in him as one.

3 And praise the Holy Spirit
poured forth upon the earth;
who sanctifies and guides us,
made strong in our rebirth.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew

3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon

Presentation and Examination
of the Candidate, p.301

The Celebrant says

The Candidate(s) for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

Parents and Godparents

I present ________ to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

The Celebrant asks the parents and godparents

Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?

Parents and Godparents

I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?

Parents and Godparents

I will, with God's help.

Then the Celebrant asks the following questions of the parents and godparents who speak on behalf of the infants and younger children

Question:

Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?

Answer:

I renounce them.

Question:

Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?

Answer:

I renounce them.

Question:

Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?

Answer:

I renounce them.

Question:

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?

Answer:

I do.

Question:

Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?

Answer:

I do.

Question:

Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?

Answer:

I do.

The Celebrant addresses the congregation, saying

Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support this person in his life in Christ?

People

We will.

Renewal of Baptismal Covenant, p. 304

The Celebrant then says these or similar words

Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.

Celebrant

Do you believe in God the Father?

People

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

    creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People

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

    He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

        and born of the Virgin Mary.

    He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

        was crucified, died, and was buried.

    He descended to the dead.

    On the third day he rose again.

    He ascended into heaven,

        and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

    He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People

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.

Celebrant

Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?

People

I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People

I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?

People

I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

People

I will, with God's help.

Celebrant

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

People

I will, with God's help.

Prayer for the Candidate

The Celebrant then says to the congregation

Let us now pray

A Person appointed leads the following petitions

Leader:

Deliver him, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.

People:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:

Open him heart to your grace and truth.

People:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:

Fill him with your holy and life-giving Spirit.

People:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:

Keep him in the faith and communion of your holy Church.

People:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:

Teach him to love others in the power of the Spirit.

People:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:

Send him into the world in witness to your love.

People:

Lord, hear our prayer.

Leader:

Bring him to the fullness of your peace and glory.

People:

Lord, hear our prayer.

The Celebrant says

Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water, p.306

The Celebrant blesses the water, first saying

The Lord be with you.

People

And also with you.

Celebrant

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Celebrant

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water.
Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.


At the following words, the Celebrant touches the water

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Baptism, p.307

The candidate is presented by name to the Celebrant, who then immerses, or pours water upon, the candidate, saying

________, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When this action has been completed the Priest, at a place in full sight of the congregation, prays, saying

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon your servant the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.


Then the Priest places a hand on the person's head, marking on the forehead the sign of the cross [using Chrism if desired] and saying

__________, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever. Amen.


Celebrant says

Let us welcome the newly baptized.
Celebrant and People

We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

The Peace

All stand.

Celebrant:  The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:  And also with you.

Then the Ministers and People may greet one another in the name of the Lord.

The Announcements

Offertory: Instrumental

Doxology:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer B

+All Baptized Christians are welcome to come forward for communion.

+If you are not Baptized, you are welcome to come forward for a blessing.

Gluten-free wafers are available upon request.+

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People:  And also with you

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People:  We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People:  It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Celebrant: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.

Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Hymnal #S 129:  

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

                                                                                                                 

We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in you Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.

On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Therefore, according to his command, O Father,

We remember his death,

We proclaim his resurrection,

We await his coming in glory;

And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you from your creation, this bread and this wine.

We pray you, gracious God, to send you Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under you Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where with ask your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.

By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

The 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,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Fraction Anthem: #S 155 Christ Our Passover

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; 
therefore let us keep the feast.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Celebrant:  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:  Therefore let us keep the Feast. 

Celebrant:  The Gifts of God for the People of God.

Communion: Hymnal #339

Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness

1 Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness,
leave the gloomy haunts of sadness;
come into the daylight's splendour,
there with joy thy praises render
unto him whose grace unbounded
hath this wondrous banquet founded:
high o'er all the heavens he reigneth,
yet to dwell with thee he deigneth.

2 Sun, who all my life dost brighten;
Light, who dost my soul enlighten,
Joy, the best that any knoweth;
Fount, whence all my being floweth,
at thy feet I cry, my Maker,
let me be a fit partaker
of this blessed food from heaven,
for our good, thy glory, given.

3 Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray thee,
let me gladly here obey thee;
never to my hurt invited,
be thy love with love requited;
from this banquet let me measure,
Lord, how vast and deep its treasure;
through the gifts thou here dost give me,
as thy guest in heaven receive me.


Post-Communion Prayer, p.365

Let us pray.

Eternal God, heavenly Father,

you have graciously accepted us as living members

of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ,

and you have fed us with spiritual food

in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood.

Send us now into the world in peace,

and grant us strength and courage

to love and serve you

with gladness and singleness of heart;

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Birthdays: 

Let us Pray: 

O God, our times are in your hand:  Look with favor, we pray, on your servants as they begin another year.  Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Prayer for those we love:

Let us Pray: 

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Blessing for Epiphany Season

Recessional: Hymnal #616

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed

1 Hail to the Lord's Anointed,
great David's greater Son!
Hail, in the time appointed,
his reign on earth begun!
He comes to break oppression,
to set the captive free;
to take away transgression,
and rule in equity.

2 He comes with succor speedy
to those who suffer wrong,
to help the poor and needy,
and bid the weak be strong;
to give them songs for sighing,
their darkness turn to light,
whose souls, condemned and dying,
were precious in his sight.

3 He shall come down like showers
upon the fruitful earth,
and love, joy, hope, like flowers,
spring in his path to birth;
before him on the mountains
shall peace, the herald, go;
and righteousness in fountains
from hill to valley flow.

4 Kings shall bow down before him,
and gold and incense bring;
all nations shall adore him,
his praise all people sing;
to him shall prayer unceasing
and daily vows ascend;
his kingdom still increasing,
a kingdom without end.

5 O'er every foe victorious,
he on his throne shall rest;
from age to age more glorious,
all blessing and all blest;
the tide of time shall never
his covenant remove;
his Name shall stand for ever,
his changeless Name of Love.

Dismissal

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