+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.
Morning Reading: Mark 1:14-20 (NLT)
“Come Follow Me” Randy Friemel
Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.
Morning Prayer
As the new day begins, praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is the fullness of grace and the Spirit of God.
+ We praise you, Lord, and we thank you for all your blessings – Lord, give us your Spirit.
+ Give us peace of mind and generosity of heart – Lord, grant us health and strength to do your will.
+ May your love be with us during the day – Lord, guide us in our work.
+ Be with all those who have asked for our prayers – Lord, grant them all their needs.
Lord, be the beginning and end of all that we do and say. Prompt our actions with your grace, and complete them with your all-powerful help. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Where He Leads Me I Will Follow”– Mark Murchison
Blessing
God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper. (Numbers 6:24-26)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!r
Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord: it’s the last day of the Christmas season. The baptism of Jesus marked the end of his quiet years in Nazareth and the start of his public ministry.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening Prayer:
Open the heavens, almighty Father, and pour out your Spirit upon your people as we gather in prayer. Renew the power of our baptismal cleansing and fill us with zeal for good deeds. Let us hear your voice once again, that we may recognize in your beloved Son our certain hope of inheriting eternal life. Grant this through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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Hymn: “Comfort, comfort ye my people” – Conrad Grebel College Chapel Choir
Comfort, comfort O my people; speak of peace: thus says our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning deep at sorrow’s load. Speak unto Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell her all her sins I cover and that warfare now is over.
Hark the voice of one who’s crying in the desert far and near, calling all to true repentance, since the Kingdom now is here. Oh, that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way! Let the valleys rise to meet Him and the hills bow down to greet Him.
Oh make straight what long was crooked; make the rougher places plain. Let your hearts be true and humble, as befits His holy reign. For the glory of the Lord now on earth is shed abroad, and all flesh shall see the token that His word is never broken.
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 (NLT)
[Christians believe Isaiah’s words refer to Jesus, the true shepherd: he is ‘the glory of the Lord’]
“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.”
Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”
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O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, “Your God is coming!”
Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
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A Reading from Psalms: Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 9-10 (NLT)
Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
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The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
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The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever.
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“Psalm 29 – HeartSong” – Cedarville University
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A Reading from the Letters: Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7 (NLT)
[Salvation is possible for all people, because of God’s great compassion, which we see in the gift of baptism.]
Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel — that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 (NLT)
[The events celebrated today are described in the Gospel of Luke.]
The Baptism of the Christ Daniel Bonell (1999) Saint George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem, Israel
Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am — so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
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One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit, in bodily form, descended on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
__________
Hymn: “Beneath the Waters” – Hillsong
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Intercessions:
God of grace and glory, renew the face of the earth – and begin with us… as we bring our needs before you:
+ For all baptized believers – that we may live out our professions of faith in our everyday circumstances…. Lord, hear us.
+ For young people preparing for Confirmation – that their faith may grow as the Spirit brings wisdom and understanding…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all adult believers – that we may be good examples of Christian faith and practice to young people…. Lord, hear us.
+ For newborn babies, and all who will soon be baptized – that their parents will raise them to make their own professions of faith…. Lord, hear us.
+ For expectant mothers, and parents hoping for a baby – that their dream of a happy, healthy child may become a reality…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all the people suffering as a result of war, violence and natural disaster – that they may be given the help they need to rebuild their lives…. Lord, hear us.
+ For our friends and relatives who have gone before us in faith – that they may enter into the joys of eternal life…. Lord, hear us.
Loving God, your creative Spirit renews humanity and sustains us always: hear our prayers and, by your grace, transform us into your likeness through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Revival” – Robin Mark
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Benediction:
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
Lord, we have long been like people You do not rule, people who do not bear Your name. Oh, that You would tear the heavens open and come down!
Morning Reading: 1 John 5:14-20 (NLT)
And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.
We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
Morning Prayer
The Word of God, eternally begotten of the Father, became in the fullness of time a child born for us and a son given to us. Blessed be the Lord.
+ Lord Jesus, be with us today – help us to live as men who have heard the good news of Your saving grace.
+ Sun of Justice, radiance of God’s glory and light of the world – help those who live in darkness and find no answer to their problems.
+ For us You became a child at Bethlehem – renew the childlike simplicity of our faith.
+ You are the living bread, the source of eternal life – fill our hearts with joy through the sacrament of Your body and blood.
God and Father, light of all mankind, make our hearts radiant with the splendour of that light which long ago You shed on our fathers in the faith, and give Your people the joy of lasting peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Christmas Canon”– Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Blessing
Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. John 1:4 (NLT)
Morning Reading: 1 John 5:5-13 (NLT)
Wrestlers John O’Reilly, 2008
And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by shedding his blood on the cross — not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. So we have these three witnesses — the Spirit, the water, and the blood — and all three agree. Since we believe human testimony, surely we can believe the greater testimony that comes from God. And God has testified about his Son. All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about his Son.
And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
Morning Prayer
Christ came that creation might be freed from its slavery to corruption, and so enjoy the freedom of the sons of God. From all evil, save us through your birth.
+ Lord Jesus, You came to bring us new life – renew us by the mystery of Your birth.
+ Christ, God and man, may Your divine life penetrate our humanity – may we live as sons and daughters of God.
+ Light of the nations, teacher of holiness – may Your word enlighten our path through life.
+ You were made flesh in Mary’s womb – dwell always in our hearts through faith.
God, our Father, when Your Only-Begotten Son revealed himself in flesh and blood, we came to know Him as our fellow-man. May He transform us inwardly until we bear His likeness, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
“The Victor’s Crown” – Darlene Zschech
You are always fighting for us | Heaven’s angels all around | My delight is found in knowing | That You wear the Victor’s crown | You’re my help and my defender | You’re my Savior and my friend | By Your grace I live and breathe | To worship You
At the mention of Your greatness | In Your Name I will bow down | In Your presence fear is silent | For You wear the Victor’s crown | Let Your glory fill this temple | Let Your power overflow | By Your grace I live and breathe | To worship You
Hallelujah | You have overcome | You have overcome | Hallelujah | Jesus You have overcome the world
You are ever interceding | As the lost become the found | You can never be defeated | For You wear the Victor’s crown | You are Jesus the Messiah | You’re the Hope of all the world | By Your grace I live and breathe | To worship You
Every high thing must come down | Every stronghold shall be broken | You wear the Victor’s crown | You will overcome | You will overcome
At the cross the work was finished | You were buried in the ground | But the grave could not contain You | For You wear the Victor’s crown
Hallelujah | You have overcome | You have overcome | Hallelujah | Jesus You have overcome the world
Every high thing must come down | Every stronghold shall be broken | You wear the Victor’s crown | You will overcome | You will overcome
Blessing
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5 (NLT)
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
The Lord has done marvelous things: let them be made known to the whole world.
Morning Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!
Morning Reading: Luke 4:14-22 (NLT)
Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
Morning Prayer
Glory to You, Lord Jesus Christ. Through You God’s salvation reaches to the boundaries of the earth.
+ Christ, God our Redeemer, You have drawn all men to Yourself – break down the walls of prejudice that separate man from man.
+ Christ, God’s Word made flesh, You came to live among us – help us to recognize all the ways You are present in the Church and in the lives of men and women.
+ Christ, God’s Word revealed – may our faith and practice be consistent with Your teaching.
+ Immanuel, God with us, renew our lives completely – make us a people You can call your own.
Lord, may the radiance of Your glory light up our hearts and bring us through the shadows of this world until we reach our homeland of everlasting light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
“Days of Elijah” – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
Blessing
The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 