The First Sunday of Epiphany[Baptism of the Lord]: 10 Jan 2021: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 ~ Baptized!

The First Sunday of Epiphany: 10 Jan 2021
[Baptism of the Lord]

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be your Son,
and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove:
Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit,
may be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
(Mark 1:8)

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I Sing the Mighty Power of God – Hangad Music Ministry
Lyrics: Isaac Watts | Composer: Fr. Arnel Aquino, SJ

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O.T. Reading: Genesis 1:1-5 (ESV)

The Creation of the World

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

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Psalms: Psalm 29 (ESV)

The Lord Will Bless His People (Psalm 29) [The Baptism of the Lord] – WorshipNOW Modern Psalms

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N.T. Gospel Reading: Mark 1:4-11 (ESV)

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism of Jesus

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

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“Beneath the Waters” – Hillsong (UCC Baptism Video)

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Prayer:

+ 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 in the River Jordan when the Holy Spirit descended upon him as a dove.

+ 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 made regenerate by the Holy Spirit.

+ May all who are baptized be cleansed from sin, be born again, and continue for ever faithful in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.

+ Sustain us, Lord, in your Holy Spirit, that we may enjoy life to the full, now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Baptized – Zach Williams

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Closing: Acts 19:1-7 (ESV)

19 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Reading: Acts 18:1-8 NLT – mission shift

Reading: Acts 18:1-8 NLT

Priscilla and Aquila, Companions of Saint Paul

Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. They had left Italy when Claudius Caesar deported all Jews from Rome. Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tent makers just as he was.

Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads — I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”

Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Sometimes you just want us to move on… and thankfully Paul chose to bring the Good News to the Gentiles… to me. Thank you for Jewish people like Aquila and Priscilla… who became believers and welcomed Paul into their home. Thank you for Gentile people like Titius Justus… who opened his home to Paul as his mission to the Gentile world began to take shape. And thank you for people like Crispus… who became believers along with their entire households… and sealed their belief with baptism. Thank you for touching their hearts and changing their lives… often at great personal cost.

And your Spirit continues to move across the world today… changing hearts, changing lives, gathering in people whom you have prepared to receive your Word of mercy, grace and hope. Protect these your children from the evil one… and make them a light to the nations. May your name be praised. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Once and For All / Only Jesus” – Chris Tomlin & Matt Redman (Passion 2013)
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Morning Reading: Acts 16:25-40 NLT – what must I do to be saved

Reading: Acts 16:25-40 NLT

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”

But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”

When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Give us a spirit of worship in every circumstance and show us your power. Set us free from the chains that bind us and the prisons that hold us captive. Make known the power of your name throughout the world… that all who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. To you be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “There is power in the name of Jesus” – Jesus Culture

Morning Reading: Acts 16:11-15 NLT – prayer meeting

Reading: Acts 16:11-15 NLT

We boarded a boat at Troas and sailed straight across to the island of Samothrace, and the next day we landed at Neapolis. From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – Lead me by Your Spirit to those whom You have already prepared to welcome You into their lives… people who are searching, seeking, a relationship with God but don’t know You… people who will open their hungry hearts to You, the Bread of Life. Holy Spirit – Give me a listening, discerning spirit that is open to Your guidance as I go about my daily activities. And help me to create space in my daily routine for the unexpected… for “God moments” to stop, and listen, and share with others the Good News of what You have done for me. To God be the glory. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Down to the river to pray” – Alison Krauss