St Stephen Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Holy Communion on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, 10:30 a.m.

January 9, 2022

The Baptism of Our Lord

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

FIRST READING: The reading from Isaiah emphasizes that the people of God are beloved. God will protect and lead them ‘through the waters.’ Christ, as Son of God and Son of Man, is heir to these promises of guidance and protection, and shares them with all who are baptized in his name.

PSALMODY: Psalm 29 is no doubt chosen for the water imagery, together with the voice of God: ‘The voice of the LORD is upon the waters.’ Such imagery hearkens back to the creation narrative as well.

SECOND READING: The descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus marks him as the one who ‘will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’ Acts 18:4-7 shows us a group of believers who have been baptized, but at the laying on of hands of the apostles, receive the Holy Spirit. The Church today still lays on hands after the water baptism, praying for the Holy Spirit to be sent upon the newly baptized: ‘the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in [God’s] presence’ (Isaiah 11:2-3)

GOSPEL: A ‘theophany’ is an appearance of God to human beings. Jesus is revealed in the presence of ‘all the people’ who had been baptized with him as the Beloved Son, with whom God is well-pleased. In addition, at the baptism of Christ the Holy Trinity appears clearly to us for the first time: the Father’s voice is heard from heaven, the incarnate Son stands in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descends upon him in the form of a dove.

OPENING MUSIC

When Christ’s Appearing Was Made Known - Hugo Distler

Baptized into Your Name Most Holy - Max Reg

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Stand

In the name of the Father, and of the X Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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.

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father,

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 condemned the wicked

and saved those whom you had chosen.

Through the sea

you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom.

In the waters of the Jordan

your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

By water and the 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

THE HOLY COMMUNION

XHYMN Baptized into Your Name Most Holy Green LBW 192

1 Baptized into your name most holy,

O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

I claim a place, though weak and lowly,

among your seed, your chosen host.

Buried with Christ and dead to sin,

I have your Spirit now within.

2 My loving Father, here you take me

henceforth to be your child and heir;

my faithful Savior, here you make me

the fruit of all your sorrows share;

O Holy Ghost, you comfort me

though threat’ning clouds around I see.

3 O faithful God, you never fail me;

your cov’nant surely will abide.

Let not eternal death assail me

should I transgress it on my side!

Have mercy when I come defiled;

forgive, lift up, restore your child.

4 All that I am and love most dearly,

receive it all, O Lord, from me.

Oh, let me make my vows sincerely,

and help me your own child to be!

Let nothing that I am or own

serve any will but yours alone.

Text: Johann J. Rambach, 1693-1735; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878, alt.

APOSTOLIC 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.

KYRIE ELEISON

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,

and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,

for the well-being of the Church of God,

and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,

and for all who offer here their worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen

HYMN OF PRAISE

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father;

We worship you, we give you thanks,

we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,

Lord God, Lamb of God:

You take away the sin of the world;

have mercy on us.

You are seated at the right hand of the Father;

receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,

with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen

PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful in their calling to be your children and inheritors with him of everlasting life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice;

the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor. Psalm 29:4

Let us hear the Word of the Lord.

Sit

FIRST READING Isaiah 43:1-7

¹But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
³For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
⁴Because you are precious in my sight,
and honored, and I love you,
I give people in return for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
⁵Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you;

⁶I will say to the north, “Give them up,”

and to the south, “Do not withhold;
bring my sons from far away
and my daughters from the end of the earth—
⁷everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

PSALM 29

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.

¹ Ascribe to the | Lord, you gods,*

ascribe to the Lord glo- | ry and strength.

² Ascribe to the Lord the glory | due his name;*

worship the Lord in the beau- | ty 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 pow- | erful 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 ce- | dars 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 wilder- | ness 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 a- | bove the flood;*

the Lord sits enthroned as | king forevermore.

¹¹ The Lord shall give strength | to his people;*

the Lord shall give his people the bless- | ing of peace. R

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters.

SECOND READING Acts 8:14-17

¹⁴Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit ¹⁶(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). ¹⁷Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Stand

VERSE Sung by the choir

Mark 1:11 Setting by Robert Wetzler

Alleluia. You are my beloved Son; I am well-pleased with you. Alleluia.

Gospel Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

¹⁵As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, ¹⁶John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
²¹Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, ²²and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And 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.

Sit

X ANTHEM Sung by the choir.

The Baptism of Our Lord

Text/ Anonymous; Music/ Charles Callahan

From wilderness to Jordan came

The final Prophet to proclaim

That judgment soon was to begin

To punish Israel for their sin.

Although of Abraham’s descent,

Since all have sinned, all must repent,

And, like the Gentiles, undergo

A baptism, and its import show.

But when Christ came, no judgment dire

Did he pronounce with venting fire;

Himself the baptism underwent,

The sinless, perfect penitent.

On him the Spirit as a dove

Descended, and the Father’s love

Voiced his approval that the Son

Mankind’s salvation had begun.

All glory, Lord, to you we pay

For your Epiphany today;

And to the Father tribute bring,

As by the Spirit here we sing.

SERMON

Stand

X Hymn of the DaY

When Christ’s Appearing Was Made Known Green LBW 85

St. 1, 3, 5

1 When Christ’s appearing was made known,

King Herod trembled for his throne;

but he who offers heav’nly birth

seeks not the kingdoms of this earth.

3 Within the Jordan’s sacred flood

the heav’nly Lamb in meekness stood,

that he, of whom no sin was known,

might cleanse his people from their own.

5 For this his glad epiphany,

all glory unto Jesus be;

whom with the Father we adore,

and Holy Ghost forevermore.

Text: Coelius Sedulius, c. 5th cent.; tr. John M. Neale, 1818-1866, alt.

CONFESSION OF FAITH

The pastor and people confess the faith of the Church in the words of the Nicene Creed.

X At the words ‘For us and for our salvation,’ and continuing through ‘and was made man,’ a solemn bow is appropriate to praise the incarnation of our Lord.

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.

X 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. X

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

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

Holy God, in the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, you revealed him as your Son, the one filled with the Holy Spirit to bring good news and salvation to your people. We give you thanks that in our baptisms you have united us with his baptism, adopting us as beloved sons and daughters, in whom you are well-pleased. Now, in this time of grace, hear the prayers that we bring before you in confidence and hope.

A brief silence

Stir up in us your Holy Spirit; that we may know your will; proclaim your Gospel, and serve you in gladness all the days of our life. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Stir up your Holy Spirit in those who suffer because of their baptism into Christ, that they may be protected from those who persecute them and be granted the faith to publicly confess their faith in you. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Stir up your Holy Spirit, and bless the President, the Congress, and the Courts of the United States; along with state and local magistrates and all who work for the protection and health of others, so that they may serve you in their vocations and exercise their offices according to your wisdom. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Stir up your Holy Spirit, and come to the aid of those who know no freedom or security; all refugees and stateless persons, and for the needy in body, mind, and spirit. Now hear our prayers for whom we have special concern.

The pastor reads the names and situations submitted for prayer.

The people may offer spoken or silent intercessions.

Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Loving God, whom we dare to call Father, you have named all who are baptized as your children. The Son’s favor rests upon us, and you give us the promise that we will be with him in eternity. We remember with reverence and affection all who have faithfully served you in the past, together with our departed loved ones. Grant us unity with them this day at your Table, and in everlasting blessedness in the life to come. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

The pastor concludes the prayers:

Into your hands, Father, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your steadfast love, through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit; one God, now and forever.

Amen

Peace

God has made us one in Christ.

He has set his seal on us and, as a pledge of what is to come,

has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts. cf. 2 Cor. 1:22

Thanks be to God.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

The people exchange a sign of peace with the simple words, Peace be with you.

Sit

The Lord’s Table is prepared.

Stand

OFFERTORY Sung by the choir

Psalm 29:2-4 Setting by Robert Wetzler

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name; worship the Lord in holy

array. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the Lord is upon the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

PRAYER OF PREPARATION

Open the heavens, Lord our God,

and send your transforming Spirit upon us and upon these gifts.

May we, who are baptized into Christ,

be ready to share his cup of suffering

and strengthened to serve him forever.

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 him thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times

and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and ever-living God. You celebrated your new gift of baptism in signs and wonders at the Jordan. Your voice was heard from heaven to awaken faith in the presence among us of your Word made ﬂesh. Your Spirit was seen as a dove, revealing Jesus as your servant, and anointing him with the oil of gladness to preach the good news to the poor. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

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!

(Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9)

The pastor leads the people in praying the Eucharistic canon:

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:

Endless is your mercy and eternal your reign.

You have filled all creation with light and life;

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Through Abraham you promised to bless all nations.

You rescued Israel, your chosen people.

Through the prophets you renewed your promise;

and, at this end of all the ages, you sent your Son,

who in words and deeds proclaimed your kingdom

and was obedient to your will, even to giving his life.

In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup

we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup

we remember the life our Lord offered for us.

And, believing the witness of his resurrection,

we await his coming in power

to share with us the great and promised feast.

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit,

the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection,

that we who receive the Lord's body and blood

may live to the praise of your glory

and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.

Join our prayers with those of your servants

of every time and every place,

and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest

until he comes as victorious Lord of all.

Through him, with him, in him,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honor and glory is yours,

almighty Father, now and forever. Amen

In the presence of Christ, we pray to his Father using the words he gave us.

Christ is in our midst.

By the power of the Spirit,

we pray to his Father, saying:

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 Matthew 6:9-15

Holy gifts for the holy people.

One is holy, one is Lord:

Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

We adore Christ, present in bread and wine.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Sit

DISTRIBUTION

Admission to the Sacrament is by invitation of the Lord, presented through the Church to those who are baptized.

They may receive the Lord’s Body and Blood who are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, who commune in their home churches, and who believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in, with, and under the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.

The communicants will be invited forward one family unit at a time. Please do not come forward until the pastor directs you to come forward, do not approach all the way to the table until the pastor has retreated.

When the pastor says ‘The body of Christ, given for you,’ eat the bread. When the pastor says, ‘The blood of Christ, shed for you,’ drink the wine. Please take the plate and the glass(es) and place them on the table that is indicated.

XDISTRIBUTION HYMN Oh, Love, How Deep Green LBW 88

St. 2, 5/ Choir

1 Oh, love, how deep, how broad, how high,

beyond all thought and fantasy,

that God, the Son of God, should take

our mortal form for mortal’s sake!

2 He sent no angel to our race,

of higher or of lower place,

but wore the robe of human frame,

and to this world himself he came.

3 For us baptized, for us he bore

his holy fast and hungered sore;

for us temptation sharp he knew;

for us the tempter overthrew.

4 For us he prayed; for us he taught;

for us his daily works he wrought,

by words and signs and actions thus

still seeking not himself, but us.

5 For us by wickedness betrayed,

for us, in crown of thorns arrayed,

he bore the shameful cross and death;

for us he gave his dying breath.

6 For us he rose from death again;

for us he went on high to reign;

for us he sent his Spirit here

to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.

7 All glory to our Lord and God

for love so deep, so high, so broad;

the Trinity whom we adore

forever and forevermore.

Text: attr. Thomas á Kempis, 1380-1471; tr. Benjamin Webb, 1820-1885, alt.

When all have received, the congregation stands at the direction of the presiding minister.

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.

Amen

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations

and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32)

Lord of all time and eternity,

you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father

in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son:

by the power of your Spirit

complete the heavenly work of our rebirth

through the waters of the new creation;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

SENDING

Acclamation

The Father’s voice bears witness to the Son.

God has revealed himself to us.

The Son bows his head beneath the waters of baptism.

God has revealed himself to us.

The Spirit as a dove descends from heaven.

God has revealed himself to us.

Submitting to John’s baptism, Christ delivers us from bondage.

God has revealed himself to us.

The Sending Gospel (John 1:32-34)

The Holy Gospel according to St. John.

Glory to you, O Lord.

John testified, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Benediction and Dismissal

May God, who in Christ gives us a spring of water

welling up to eternal life,

perfect in you the image of his glory.

Amen

Almighty God, Father, X Son, and Holy Spirit,

bless you now and forever.

Amen

XCLOSING HYMN

From All That Dwell below the Skies Green LBW 550

From All That Dwell below the Skies

1 From all that dwell below the skies

let the creator’s praise arise;

let the redeemer’s name be sung

through ev’ry land, in ev’ry tongue.

2 Eternal are your mercies, Lord;

eternal truth attends your word;

your praise shall sound from shore to shore,

till suns shall rise and set no more.

Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #20540.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Additional liturgical material from Common Worship: Times and Seasons, copyright the Church of England.

Mesrop of Khizan, active 1605-1651. Baptism of Christ, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a

project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56064 [retrieved January 4, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mesrop_of_Khizan_(Armenian,_active_1605_-_1651)_-_The_Baptism_of_Christ_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org