The Holy Eucharist Time after Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA Sunday, January 13, 2019 8:30 & 11:00 am As followers of Jesus Christ, we embrace, reflect, and proclaim God's unconditional love.
Today we dedicate our new baptismal font. Constructed by Faith member, Paul Sorenson, it is artisan made from a retired pew with new cherry inlay, highlighting Faith s past, present, and future. The vessel holding the water is fire-formed by distinguished Lexington glass artist, Dan Barnes. This baptismal font is a continuation of the vision from the 2008 worship space renewal study. Even though that grander project was put on hold, the first tangible outcome was our magnificent new communion table (2012) designed by Larry Isenhour, who served as a consultant for this project. It now matches that visionary table and paves the way for other projects in the future that will help unify the place where we worship. We are also very grateful to Paul Sorenson for providing his labor at no cost and give thanks to God for all the talent at Faith that is used to reveal God s creative and redeeming word through these tangible objects. Gathering Silence. Prelude Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern Paul Manz Dedication of the Baptismal Font We stand as able. Sisters and brothers, today we give thanks to God and seek God s blessing as we set apart this Baptismal Font to the glory of God. Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light and our salvation. Amen. Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gracious gift of baptism. Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and mighty, you are the river of life, You are the everlasting wellspring, you are the fire of rebirth. Glory to you for oceans and lakes, for rivers and streams, for the Kentucky River watershed. Honor to you for cloud and rain, for dew and snow. Your waters are below us, around us, and above us: our life is born in you. You are the fountain of resurrection. 2
Praise to you for your saving waters: Noah, his family, and the animals survive the flood. Hagar discovers your well. The Israelites escape through the sea, and they drink from your gushing rock. Naaman washes his leprosy away, and the Samaritan woman will never be thirsty again. Praise to you for the water of baptism and for your Word that saves us in this sacrament. Breathe your Spirit into all who are gathered here and into all your beloved creation. Illumine our days. Enliven our souls. Dry our tears. Wash away the sin that is within us, and drown the evil that surrounds us. Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that new life may be given to all those who are baptized at this font which we now dedicate to your glory. May it be used to bring the gifts of faith and saving grace into the lives of all who are joined to Christ s death and resurrection through the drowning and rebirth of these waters. May your spirit of wisdom and compassion guide them in living their lives centered in your love. With living water We are washed, forgiven, and filled. Teach us to walk as New Creations, New creatures, beloved children of God: Buried with Christ in death Raised to newness of life. Satisfy all our thirst with your living water, Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Gathering Hymn Baptized in Water ELW 456 Greeting The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Prayer of the Day Let us pray. Silence. We respond: Amen. We sit. 3
Word Children s Moment Children are invited to come forward; parents are welcome to come with their children. (11:00) Dismissal for Children Worship and Wonder Children who participate in Children Worship and Wonder may leave. First Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7 When you pass through the waters, do not fear, for I am with you 1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, 4
Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. 4 Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; 6 I will say to the north, Give them up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. The readings conclude: The word of the Lord or Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God. Psalmody: Psalm 29 Refrain sung by the cantor first, then repeated by the assembly when indicated. Please note the introduction. Cantor/Choir: 1 Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God s 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 splendor. R\ 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; 6 the Lord makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the Lord bursts forth in lightning flashes. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. R\ 9 The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare. 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 forevermore. 11 O Lord, give strength to your people; give them, O Lord, the blessings of peace. R\ 5
Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17 Prayer and laying on of hands for the Holy Spirit 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Gospel Acclamation sung before and after the reading of the gospel. Cantor: A voice from heaven said, This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased. We repeat the acclamation The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 The baptism of Jesus with the descent of the Holy Spirit 15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John answered all of them by saying, I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. 21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. We sing the acclamation and sit. Sermon Silence. Pastor Mark Sloss 6
We stand to proclaim the word of God in song. Hymn of the Day Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized ELW 304 8:30 Apostles Creed We have been made God s people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith. 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. The 8:30 service continues on page 10 with the prayers of intercession. 11:00 Sacrament of Holy Baptism Baptism Presentation God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word, God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God's mission for the life of the world. Sponsors: We present Soren Roger Kurth/Amelia Marie Downman Zoller for baptism. 7
As you bring your child to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities: to live with them among God's faithful people, bring them to the word of God and the holy supper, Teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy scriptures, and nurture them in faith and prayer, so that your children may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace. Do you promise to help your children grow in the Christian faith and life? Response: I do. Sponsors, do you promise to nurture these persons in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God s spirit, and to help them live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church? I do. We stand. People of God, do you promise to support Soren and Amelia and pray for them in their new life in Christ? We do. Profession of Faith The presiding minister addresses the assembly. I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? The assembly may join in the responses. I renounce them. Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? I renounce them. Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God? I renounce them. Do you believe in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 8
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? 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. Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? 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. Thanksgiving at the Font The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters...in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. Baptism Soren/Amelia, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Response You Have Put On Christ 9
Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life. A candle is given to those who have been baptized: Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Laying on of the Hands and Anointing Welcome Let us welcome the newly baptized. We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praise to God and bearing God's creative and redeeming word to all the world. Amen. Prayers of Intercession United as one body in Christ, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need. Silence. After each petition we respond Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. The presiding minister concludes the prayers: Receive our prayers and fill us with the radiance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. After sharing the greeting with those nearby as a sign of Christ s presence, we sit. Welcome and Announcements 10
Meal Offering An offering is gathered for the mission of the church. Musical Offering This Is My Beloved Son Dan Uhl We stand as the gifts of bread, wine, and money are brought forward. Offering Hymn 11
Offering Prayer Let us pray Amen. Great Thanksgiving The presiding minister greets the assembly and invites all present to give thanks. The Lord be with you. And also 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. It is indeed right, our duty and our joy...we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 12
Eucharistic Prayer Al-might-y Lord we praise your shining light, your glowing grace. From before the earth s foundation, you loved us and promised us life forever. Within the earth s deep sadness, we laud your great and glorious might. Despite our tears and sinning, we sing of the gladness of your mercy. We praise your Son, our Morn-ing Star. Christ is our dia-mond bright, our trea-sure dear. The presiding minister continues With joy we tell our story: Al-le-lu-ia! All: We call for your Spirit on us and this meal. Refresh our souls with this heavenly food, the body and blood of your Son. Nourish us as branches of your tree, and enlighten us with your undying flame. We sing out to the Father, we ring out to the Son, we exult in the Spirit. Transport us in our yearning, and be for us the end and the beginning, our purest pleasure, our victorious crown, our never-ending love. And so we pray and praise: A-men, a-men, a-men. All: 13
Lord s Prayer Gathered by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. 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. Breaking of the Bread and Invitation to Communion Come to the table where Christ meets you. Eat, rejoice, and be glad! We sit. HOW WE COMMUNE: All are welcome at Christ s table, including children. Gluten-free wafers are available upon request. Persons receiving only the bread or wine may be assured of the full presence of Christ in either element. If you or your child would like to come forward to receive a blessing instead of the bread and wine, please cross your arms over your chest to indicate this. Please approach the table as invited by the ushers and take a place at the rail. You may stand or kneel as you are able. You have the option of either receiving the wine from the common cup or an individual glass (please pick one up as you enter the altar area and it will be filled at the table). If you are receiving the wine from the common cup, please take the cup from the communion minister, drink from it, and return it to the communion minister. If you are unable to come forward for Holy Communion, please tell the usher and the Pastor will give you the bread and wine at your pew. Please let the Pastor know if you wish only the bread or the wine. Music during Communion Lamb of God (interspersed with silence) 14
Borning Cry ELW 732 O Blessed Spring ELW 447 After all have returned to their place we stand. The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen Post Communion Prayer and Sending of Communion to the Homebound Let us pray Amen. Sending Blessing The presiding minister proclaims God's blessing. The God of glory dwell in you richly, name you beloved, and shine brightly on your path; and the blessing of almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Sending Hymn We Know that Christ Is raised ELW 449 Dismissal Go in peace. Christ is your light. Thanks be to God. Liturgy and hymns from Evangelical Lutheran Worship 2006 ELCA. All rights reserved. Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-702378. 15
Welcome and thank you for worshiping with us today! If you are a guest, we are so glad you came! We hope that you will fill out the yellow Welcome Friends card in your pew pocket or sign the pad in the pew and either drop it in the offering plate or leave it at the Welcome Place as you leave today. We hope to see you again soon! We practice an open table at Holy Communion. This is the Lord s table. It is made ready for those who love him and for those who want to love him more. So come, you who have much faith, and you who have little, you who have been here often and you who have not been here long, you who have tried to follow and you who have failed. Come, because it is the Lord who invites you. It is his will that those who want him should meet him here. You may also come forward to receive a blessing instead of the bread and wine. Please cross your arms over your chest to indicate this. Children of all ages are welcome in our worship services and will learn to participate at a young age if present. Small tote bags with quiet activities are available in the Gathering Area for their use. If your child needs to leave for all or part of the service, a staffed nursery for ages 5 (kindergarten) and under is located on the lower level and will welcome them during the 8:30 and 11:00 services. Children Worship and Wonder, for children ages 3-7, is offered during the 11:00 service during the school year. Parents are asked to accompany their children the first time they attend. Follow the other children after the children s sermon. If you have a prayer request you would like forwarded to our staff and Prayer Team, please fill out the blue card in the pew and place in the offering plate when it is passed. We invite you to join us for conversation after each morning service in the gathering area adjacent to the worship area. Ministers All Members of Faith Pastor Mark E. Sloss Pastor Emeritus H. Gene Templar Cantor Thomas J. White Director of Faith Formation Ministries Carl Fosnaugh, IV Parish Administrator Sheree Skeens Faith Lutheran Learning Center Director Charla Heersche 1000 Tates Creek Road phone 859-266-7621 Lexington, KY 40502 website: www.faithlutheranchurch.com email: office@faithlutheranchurch.com