Baptism of Jesus January 10, 2015 Tony and Veronica Nitko Silence is the Sanctuary of the Soul Opening Hymn: Welcome and Call to Worship:

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1 January 10, 2015 Baptism of Jesus Silence is the Sanctuary of the Soul (J.Chittister) Opening Hymn: Wade in the Water (#666) Welcome and Call to Worship: (St. Matthew s in-the-city) Tony and Veronica Nitko In these long winter days we gather to take stock of our lives; to give thanks for all we have received; to remember those who need our prayers; to break bread together and renew the hope we find in the Jesus story. All this we do in the presence of the God whom we find in this hallowed place, in our thoughts and dreams, and our neighbor. God is here, unfolding in each of us. Let us rejoice in song and word and deed. This is what God asks of us: to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly upon our earth. God of grace, in whom we live and move and dance for joy, guide our steps through the complexities of life; widen our vision that our sight be not limited by what we see; our wisdom not by what we know; nor our love by what we can accept. Amen. Opening Prayer: Creator Spirit, who hovered over the waters at creation s birth, who descended in the form of a dove at Jesus baptism, who was poured out under the signs of fire and wind at Pentecost, come to us. Open our hearts and minds, so that we may hear the Word of Life and be renewed by your power. For you live and reign with God the Christ, now and forevermore. Amen Reading 1: IS 42:1-4, 6-7 A reading from the Book of Isaiah: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God s people. Thanks be to God. Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

2 I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. The Word of God. Thanks be to God. Responsorial Psalm: PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, R. God will bless his people with peace. Give to the Lord, you people of God, Give to the Lord glory and praise, Give to the Lord the glory due his name; Adore the Lord in holy attire. R. The voice of God is over the waters, Over the vast waters. The voice of God is mighty; The voice of God is majestic. R. The God of glory thunders, and in God s temple all say, Glory! God is enthroned above the flood; God is enthroned forever. R. Reading 2: Excerpt from: Christmastide: The Fullness of the Time, by Joan Chittister The Baptism of Jesus On the Sunday after Epiphany, the Christmas season ends in the West with its own celebration of the baptism of Jesus by John at the Jordan. As the Eastern church points out, it is at this moment that we see for the first time the union of God the Creator, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. But we see something else as well. We see Jesus accepting baptism by John, a sign that Jesus accepts humanity. His own and ours, in all of its struggles, all of its limitations, all of its burdens, and all its focus on the ultimate, on the divine. The feast days of Christmastide make the full meaning of Christmas clear. There can be no doubt about it: this child is human, yes, but he is of heavenly as well as earthly origin. In this child s light we all walk safely through the unknown. We are all here with the Magi, full of gifts to give in his behalf. What s more, with the opening of the heavens on the bank of the Jordan, we all have our first vision of life beyond life. Christmas is larger than a baby in a manger. Christmas is the coming of a whole new world. More than that, it is what makes that world possible. The Word of Sister Joan. Thanks be to God.

3 Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel: MK 1:7-11 God be with you. And with your Spirit. Listen to God s Word. Our ears are open. May we hear Wisdom. A reading from the gospel according to Mark. This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan River by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. This is what the Spirit is telling the Church. Glory and Praise. Silent Reflection/Discussion. Intercessions: R: O God Hear Our Prayer. (sung) Let us be still and mindful of the world, the Church, this nation, our communities, and ourselves. Heavenly God, help us to accept your call to turn from sin, and turn to your son, Jesus Christ. R. Help us to embrace the Jesus risen life of righteousness, justice and love. R Through baptism you united us with all the baptized. Help us to foster unity among the churches, so that we may live as one people and reconcile your love throughout the world. R Through baptism, you call us to ministry in all realms of life. Help us to nurture the ways to peace, among our neighbors and all nations. R We abuse the earth you entrust in our care, and live in discord with all you have made. Help us to undue this and serve as protectors of the earth. R. Through baptism you sent us to serve with compassion all for whom Christ died; help us to recognize the suffering of the oppressed and the plight of the poor, and take them bread and listen to their cries for justice. R

4 In baptism you gave us the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us; help us to not rely solely on ourselves, but trust your direction and eternal wisdom. R We remember and are thankful for those who have gone before us, and who have been our guides, especially Ed Marec and Bernie Muller who died during this time. R Now let us express our individual joys and concerns. After each please sing: O God hear our prayer. Breaking Bread Prayer: From the Emmaus Community Creator of all that has life, look upon us who have formed this circle of love. Our love is first an offering of ourselves and then an offering of all those others who have touched our experience and have formed us into who we are today. Accept this bread as a symbol of our fidelity to you as you offer yourself to each one of us. Keep reminding us that to break bread together is to share in each other's blessings and is to say yes to each other's fate. We offer you our thanks in this bread. Thank you for your love, for the love of our families and our community. Together, we recognize and accept our right and responsibility to bless this bread, which symbolizes all of humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. In turn, we accept the gift of yourself to us. For to break bread with one another is to share each other's blessings and is to say yes to each other s fate. Through Jesus, who offers himself to us in total fidelity and love, with Jesus, in thanksgiving for our personhood, and in Jesus who has blessed us with all of creation. AMEN. Please sing the Our Father. Breaking Bread Hymn: Please listen and reflect on: Breathe on Me Breath of God. Silent Reflection Closing Prayer: Blessed be God who calls us together. Praise to God who makes us one people. Blessed be God who has forgiven our sin. Praise to God who gives hope and freedom. Blessed be God whose Word is proclaimed. Praise to God who is revealed as love. Blessed be God who alone has called us. Therefore we offer all that we are and all that we shall become. Accept, O God, our sacrifice of praise to You. And accept our thanks for all you have done. Our hands were empty, and you filled them. AMEN. Closing Blessing: John O Donehue: Benedictus (To Bless The Space Between Us)

5 On the day when The weight deadens On your shoulders And you stumble, May the clay dance To balance you. And when your eyes Freeze behind The grey window And the ghost of loss Gets into you, May a flock of colours, Indigo, red, green And azure blue, Come to awaken in you A meadow of delight. When the canvas frays In the currach of thought And a stain of ocean Blackens beneath you, May there come across the waters A path of yellow moonlight To bring you safely home. May the nourishment of the earth be yours, May the clarity of light be yours, May the fluency of the ocean be yours, May the protection of the ancestors be yours. And so may a slow Wind work these words Of love around you, An invisible cloak To mind your life. Go now to live the Gospel. Go in Peace. AMEN Closing Hymn: Blest Are They (#635) Sharing the Sign of Peace. Happy Birthday Kevin