Epiphany 1 Baptism of our Lord

GOD WELCOMES US We sing a gathering hymn/song

We come to God John said: 'One who is more powerful than I is coming: He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire'. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen

We confess our sin and God forgives us 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… 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.

Lord God, our heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against you, not only in my words and actions, but also in my secret thoughts and desires which I cannot fully know or understand, but which you know completely. I am sorry that I have displeased you, and repent of the evil I have done. For the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, have mercy on me, forgive my sins, and graciously help me in my weakness. Amen.

Listen to what God the Lord says through the prophet Ezekiel: I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you…Then you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezek 36:24-28 NRSV alt) Thanks be to God! Amen.

We sing an Epiphany hymn/song

We pray Psalm 29 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in holy splendour. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. Praise the Lord’s glorious name!

The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, “Glory!” The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace! Praise the Lord’s glorious name!

We pray an Epiphany prayer The Lord be with you And also with you. Let us pray that God will keep us faithful to our baptismal calling.

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.

GOD SPEAKS TO US Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 43:1-7 (after the reading) This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Epistle Reading – Acts 8:14-17 (after the reading) This is the word of the Lord Thanks be to God Alleluia! A voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.' Alleluia.

Gospel Reading – Luke 3:15-17,21,22 (after the gospel) This is the gospel of the Lord Praise be to you, O Christ, light of the world. Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself at your baptism as God's dear Son. Fill us, your baptised children, with your Spirit. Amen.

We sing a hymn/song

We listen to the address

We confess our faith I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And 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.

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. * ‘catholic’ here meaning 'universal'

GOD RECEIVES OUR OFFERING We sing a hymn/song as our offering is received

Let us pray. 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.

We pray for ourselves and the world

The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

We go with God Let us praise the Lord. Thanks be to God. 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; And the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with us always. Amen

We sing a hymn/song