January 10, 2021 – Baptism of Our Lord

You can follow the order of the service here or Download a PDF copy that you can print ahead of time.

Feel free to also check out the following:

Gathering, Greeting, and Announcements

Thanksgiving for Baptism

Prayer of the Day

Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Lesson: A Reading from the Gospel of St. Matthew

Matthew 2:1–12

1In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage. 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:

6And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel. 

7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage. 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Gospel: A Reading from the Gospel of St. Mark

Baptism-of-Christ

Mark 1:1–11

1The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;
3the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight. 

4John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt round his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7He proclaimed, The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. 9In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. 11And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Hymn

O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! (v. 1 & 3)

ELW #308

Our own Lisa Alvis plays the hymn O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright! on the organ. You can find more performances like this if you check out Lisa's YouTube channel.

1O Morning Star, how fair and bright!
You shine with God's own truth and light,
aglow with grace and mercy!
Of Jacob's race, King David's son,
our Lord and Savior, you have won
our hearts to serve you only!
Lowly, holy! Great and glorious,
all victorious, rich in blessing!
Rule and might o'er all possessing!
3Lord, when you look on us in love,
at once there falls from God above
a ray of purest pleasure.
Your word and Spirit, flesh and blood
refresh our souls with heav'nly food.
You are our dearest treasure!
Let Your mercy warm and cheer us!
Oh, draw near us! For you teach us
God's own love through you has reached us.

Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and 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.

Prayers of the Church

P: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

Communion

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,
forever and ever. Amen.

Blessing

Weekly Announcements

We remember in our prayers

Call For Coats

The Mission Committee has been contacted by Safe Harbor (the Salvation Army) to say that they are in need of child-size coats. If anyone has any that are new or gently used and clean, please drop them at the church, and someone from the Mission Committee will make sure they get to Safe Harbor.

Mission Opportunity at Midwest Food Bank

The Mission Committee will be volunteering at Midwest Food Bank again on Monday, January 18 from 6–8 p.m. We need a group of up to 20–25 volunteers. Children 10 years or older are able to help as long as they are accompanied by their parent. Everyone also needs to have close-toed shoes. Please contact Rob and Shawna Mahnke if you are interested in helping.

Food Drive

The Mission committee is continuing to collect food that will be shared between Safe Harbor and the Midwest Food Bank. We are collecting the following items:

There is a box just inside the church entrance where you can deposit items. Please do not take items to Megan or Pastor Henrick's office.

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