The Church of The Messiah 240 Avenue Road, Toronto M5R 2J4 www.churchofthemessiah.ca 416.922.4371 The Baptism of the Lord January 7, 2018 ~ 10.30 a.m.
The Gathering of the Community GATHERING MUSIC OPENING HYMN When Jesus Came to Jordan King s Lynn Evangelical Lutheran Worship # 305. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903 2000. Music: English folk tune. We acknowledge that we are in the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of New Credit, the Anishnabe peoples, on whose land & by whose waters we gather by the Treaty of the Toronto Purchase to worship, listen, learn, share & heal together in the name of our Creator, the Holy One of Blessing. THE GREETING Presider: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. People: And also with you. Presider: Almighty God, People: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 2
PRAYER OF THE DAY Presider: People: God of the heavens, whose holiness is unveiled by one who is submerged in all the pain and sin of the earth: give us faith to follow him who goes to the heart of darkness bearing only the Spirit of gentle, insistent peace; through Jesus Christ, the promised one. Amen. The Proclaiming of the Word First Reading Genesis 1.1-5 In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, Let there be light ; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. At the conclusion of the passage, the reader says The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. The Phillip Medhurst Picture Torah 3 Genesis 1 is a dance between divine desire and creative possibilities. The word translated moved or swept is merahepet, a piel feminine participle, which could just as well be translated fluttered or shimmied. God does not create from nothing, but rather from an untamed something that is formless and void (tohu va-vohu, in Hebrew). Together, this state of the stuff with which God has to work, is threatening. But God knows that to do with it. Creation is intentional and relational. The words rhyme as the poet who writes these words intends. It is poetry in motion, metaphorically and literally hovering, fluttering, shimmying in the presence of God/s (The Hebrew word Elohim is translated singularly as God, but it also means gods and somethings heavenly being (Psalm 8:5, often, and probably correctly, translated a little lower than angels or gods, rather than the proper name, God ). Wild and foaming chaos, but God is there, with Wisdom in tow to make it into what it could be (Proverbs 8). Valerie Bridgeman
Psalm 29 All remain seated. The congregation joins in singing the refrain. Music: Sarah John. 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, * ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; * worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; * the Lord is upon the mighty waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice;* the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendour. R 9 And in the temple of the Lord * all are crying, Glory! 10 The Lord sits enthroned above the flood;* the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore. 11 The Lord shall give strength to his people;* the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace. R Ultimately our life in Christ is not just about any particular event(s) that might have taken place in the early (or later) days of our faith. Those moments -- if and when they happen -- are gifts from God to be treasured, but they constitute starting points, not ending points. After Paul laid on his hands and they spoke in tongues and prophesied, they were not, therefore, finished. Although this assigned pericope ends here, the believers stories do not. They still had much to learn and much to bring to life as the Spirit moved them. Carla Works 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees;* the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; 6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,* and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;* the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 8 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe * and strips the forests bare. R Second Reading Acts 19.1-7 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers? They replied, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. Then he said, Into what then were you baptized? They answered, Into John s baptism. 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, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied altogether there were about twelve of them. At the conclusion of the passage, the reader says, The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. 4
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION The Holy Gospel Mark 1.4-11 Gospeler: The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Gospeler: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. All: Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ. John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And 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. Now John was clothed with camel s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He 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. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And 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. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. Gospeler: The Gospel of Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. SERMON 5 Fr Tay Moss AFFIRMATION OF FAITH Presider: Let us affirm our faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. All: Though he was divine, he did not cling to equality with God, but made himself nothing. Taking the form of a slave, he was born in human likeness. He humbled himself and was obedient to death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God Refrain: Victory; Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 1594); adapt. William Henry Monk (1823 1889). A marvelous aspect of Jesus baptism is its remind that he is not only our Lord but also our brother. He was baptized, just as we are. He shares in our humanity. Although Jesus is Son of God par excellence and our Lord, he is not these in a selfish way that hoards the Father s inheritance for himself. We do not need to envy him in the way that Joseph s brothers envied Joseph, because Jacob favored him (Genesis 37:4). Rather, just as Joseph s humiliation (by his own brothers!) and exaltation (God made Joseph Lord of Egypt: Genesis 45:9) ultimately led to the brothers sharing in Joseph s bounty (Genesis 45:11), so God s making Jesus Lord through his death and resurrection (Acts 2:36) and his giving of the Holy Spirit make us co-inheritors with him of everything that the Father has to give his children (Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7), above all, eternal life. There is also a reminder, of course, that our baptisms call us to conform our lives to Jesus, and to live our lives under the cross., for we will not be glorified with him unless we suffer with him (Rom 8:17). Stephen Hultgren
has raised him on high, and given him the name above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every voice proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Diana Heath As we lift to God people and places near and far, we pray following the direction of our leader. THE LORD S PRAYER Music: David Hurd, from Music for the Eucharist 1995 Augsburg Fortress Press. PASSING THE PEACE Presider: The Peace of the Lord be Always with you. All: And also with you. 6
PREPARING THE GIFTS Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation Langham 7 Common Praise # 574. Text: Laurence Housman (1865 1959). Oxford University Press Music: Geoffrey Turton Shaw (1879 1943). The United Nations Association.
Celebrating the Eucharist Christ is the host who invites us to share his Table. All who are baptized in any tradition are welcome to receive communion. When we gather around His Table, we offer together our thanks and praise and we share in the communion of his body and blood; we are united to the Lord and to one another. If you wish to receive a blessing instead of receiving the sacrament, just cross your arms over your chest when the bread or cup comes to you. OFFERING OUR GIFTS Presider: God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, so that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord. All: Amen. GIVING THANKS The Lord be with you. And al - so with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. Presider: We give you thanks and praise, almighty God, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. He is your living Word, through whom you have created all things. By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh of the Virgin Mary and shared our human nature. He lived and died as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all. In fulfilment of your will he stretched out his hands in suffering, to bring release to those who place their hope in you; and so he won for you a holy people. He chose to bear our griefs and sorrows, and to give up his life on the cross, that he might shatter the chains of evil and death, and banish the darkness of sin and despair. By his 8
resurrection he brings us into the light of your presence. Now with all creation we raise our voices to proclaim the glory of your name. SANCTUS Evangelical Lutheran Worship # 191. Music: Marty Haugen. Presider: All: Holy and gracious God, accept our praise, through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; who on the night he was handed over to suffering and death, took bread and gave you thanks, saying, Take, and eat: this is my body which is broken for you. In the same way he took the cup, saying, This is my blood which is shed for you. When you do this, you do it in memory of me. Remembering, therefore, his death and resurrection, we offer you this bread and this cup, giving thanks that you have made us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. We ask you to send your Holy Spirit upon the offering of your holy Church. Gather into one all who share in these sacred mysteries, filling them with the Holy Spirit and confirming their faith in the truth, that together we may praise you and give you glory through your Servant, Jesus Christ. All glory and honour are yours, Father and Son, with the Holy Spirit in the holy Church, now and for ever. Amen. 9
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD Presider: We break the bread of life, and that life is the light of the world. All: God here among us, light in the midst of us, bring us to light and life. Presider: The gifts of God for the people of God. All: Thanks be to God. Please be seated. FRACTION ANTHEM Common Praise # 745. Music: Becket Gerard Senchur (1946 ). St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA. 10
COMMUNION HYMN Mark How the Lamb of Gods Self Offering Rendez a Dieu 11 Common Praise # 165. Text: Carl P. Daw, Jr. (1944 ). 1990 Hope Publishing Co. Music: Melody Strasbourg, 1545; Geneva, 1551; harm. Erik Routley (1917 1982). Harm. 1977 Hope Publishing Co.
SHARING COMMUNION All those who are baptized in any tradition are welcome to receive communion. It is helpful to guide the chalice by putting a hand on the base. If you wish to receive a blessing instead of the sacrament, indicate this by crossing your arms in front of your chest as the communion ministers approach. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER Please remain seated. Presider: We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen. ANNOUNCEMENTS SENDING HYMN Breathe on Me Breath of God Trentham 12
Common Praise # 649. Text: Edwin Hatch (1835 1889). Music: Robert Jackson (1840 1914). BLESSING & DISMISSAL The Presider blesses the people. And concludes saying, Presider: Christ the Son of God perfect in you the image of his glory and gladden your hearts with the good news of his kingdom; and the blessing of the Eternal One, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. All: Amen. Presider: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE Please join us following the service for refreshments. Permissions for reprinting and Live-Streaming: CCLI: # 11312690; OneLicense: # A-717445. Prayer Cycles Anglican Cycle of Prayer National Anglican Indigenous Bishop Mark MacDonald, and the Anglican. Diocesan Cycle of Prayer Archbishop Colin Johnson. Christ Church, Bolton, its support for community outreach services and the Pikangikum Water Project. Evangelical Lutheran Church Council of Indigenous People, Bishop Michael Pryse, people, and rostered ministers of the Eastern Synod Messiah Ministries The Bell Tower Cafe, Vivia K and her staff.] 13
Wednesday, January 17 at 7 PM - 9 PM Church of the Holy Trinity 19 Trinity Square, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1B1 A confluence of Christian and Indigenous traditions to bless the sacred gift of water and mourn human complicity in polluting this gift. This annual service has emerged from an ongoing conversation between two ancient traditions that began in Alaska. There the spiritual practices of Indigenous Nations included the blessing of water in the spring, encountered Eastern Orthodox Christian liturgy that had long acknowledged the sacred nature of water when celebrating the baptism of Jesus. These two traditions of blessing the waters of the earth have each found echoes in the other, and this time of prayer draws on both traditions. All are welcome. Co-sponsored by Toronto Urban Native Ministry, & The Anglican Diocese of Toronto, & Social Justice and Advocacy - Toronto 14
Announcements Bell Tower Events Saturday, January 13 featured artist in residence Kirsty Turnbull etsy.com/shop/curseteaart Kirsty makes wonderful art and does charming family and pet portraits on commission. Stop in, have coffee or hot chocolate and a donut while you check out her work. Friday, January 19 Spirit of the Artist, co-hosted by Imago Arts. We welcome highly acclaimed gospel singer-songwrite Jeanine Noyes into our space for a free concert and discussion.--licenced event with drink specials. Save the Date Robbie Burns Night is coming up on January 26th. Save the Date! Talk to Meghan for tickets. Pre-Authorized Giving Pre-authorized giving is a convenient way to automatically make your contributions to the church. Forms to sign up are available from Jen or Tay. January 7 Baptism of the Lord January 8 January 9 January 10 William Laud January 11 Holy Innocents January 12 Marguerite Bourgeoys January 13 Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers January 14 2 nd Sunday after Epiphany Calendar 10.30 am. Holy Eucharist followed by coffee hour 6.00 pm. Summerhill Community Orchestra Rehearsal Parish Departed: Isabel Christian Chris Williams 3.00 pm 7.00 pm Good Neighbour s Food Market 4.00 pm 6.00 pm Hygge Happy Hour @ Bell Tower Cafe Parish Birthday: Nini C. Kuhonta Artist in Residence: Kristy Turbull 10.30 am. Holy Eucharist followed by coffee hour 15
Ministry Team The Rev d W. Tay Moss, AHC 416.500.3018 (cell) Incumbent Sarah John sarahjohn64@gmail.com Minister of Music The Rev d Canon John W.B. Hill 416.230.0753 (cell) Honourary Assistant Vivia Kay viviakay@gmail.com Brewmaster of Divinity Thaddeus Gacii Gerard Stocker David Bradley (Honourary) Wardens The Church of The Messiah 240 Avenue Road Toronto, Ontario M5R 2J4 www.churchofthemessiah.ca 416.922.4371 WELCOME! We gather to read and reflect on scripture, and to remember Jesus death and victorious resurrection. We do this in thoughtful ways, formed by tradition, yet unafraid to be innovative and challenging. We are pleased you are worshipping with us today. We invite you to complete a Visitor s Card and leave it with our ushers or on the offering plate. Your presence is a gift. If you would like assistance hearing the service, headsets are available from the ushers. A simple dial turns the device on and adjusts the volume. Children are full members of our church and we welcome their presence. They are welcome to move around if they want to explore our gathering. The kids will go with their teachers for Sunday school for the first part of the service and return at the Peace. Activity kits are available from the sidespersons (ushers) for busy hands. All baptized Christians (including children) are welcome to receive Communion. If you prefer not to receive simply cross your hands in front of your chest as a sign that you desire only a blessing. Readings for Next Sunday January 14 th, 2017 2nd Sunday after Epiphany 1 Sam 3.10-20; Ps. 139.1-5, 12-17; 1 Co 6.12-20; John 1.43-51 16