The Baptism of Our Lord - Online Worship - January 10, 2021

All who are thirsty,
All who are weak,
Come to the fountain.
Dip your heart in the
Stream of life.
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be wash’d away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries
Out to deep.
We sing:

Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
(repeat entire song)

Friends, the mystery of Holy Baptism unites us and graces us; we are so thirsty, so let us come anew to the One who forever comes to us; let us see anew and celebrate the epiphany of The Bright New Light, as we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The voice of the Lord moves over the waters, over God’s waters. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins, and those times we have failed to trust God’s gifts in Holy Baptism.

(silence for reflection)

Friends baptized in the same baptism as Jesus: Trust and see anew this new epiphany today in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Live anew in The Bright New Light! God’s cleansing waters flow, thanks to the One who forever knows our name, filling us with power, majesty, grace!

Almighty and loving God, at the baptism of Jesus your grace was made known in The Light of your beloved Son, and you filled him with the Holy Spirit. Give us a new epiphany, as you reveal The Bright New Light of Jesus Christ, in the power and priceless gifts for daily living, given in baptism. Let our lights shine as we follow the Light of the world, trusting the gifts of forgiveness, hope, purpose, and life everlasting. In the light and grace of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

GENESIS 1:1-5; ACTS 19:1-7; MARK 1:4-11

Light.  Light reveals things to us.  A new day.  How best to find our way, how best to get where we are going.  Light helps us see things, find things we either did not notice or had lost along the way.  Light shows us the dirt, what needs cleaning.  As we share the season of Epiphany, we trust the same Bright New Light the wise men discovered.  Jesus is the brightest newest Light; The Light of the world.  An epiphany is a new revelation, a new insight, a new truth.  In the baptism of Jesus, we see Jesus is The Bright New Light.  In our baptism, as we share the same baptism Jesus shared, we see a bright new light in our lives.  In our baptism, let us trust and celebrate this new revelation and truth: The Bright New Light is giving us life and showing us who we are, Whose we are, where we are going, what our calling is, filling us with The Holy Spirit!

1. In baptism, for daily living, for salvation, we have The Bright New Light!

A. In baptism, The Bright New Light shows us who we are!
Mark 1:6,8-10

i. In baptism we know who we are.  There is no mistaken identity here.  Who we are, and God’s grace, are clear!

ii. In baptism our bright new light is God's gift to us.  Baptism reveals who we are, who God wants us to be, and who Jesus is.

B. In baptism, The Bright New Light shows us what we are to do!
Matthew 5:16; Mark 1:4-11

i. Mark starts with what matters most to his first readers.  Jesus is baptized, his life changes, his ministry begins.

ii. In baptism, our lives change, our calling begins, too.

C. In baptism, The Bright New Light shows us how to live!
Genesis 1:1-5

i. God has always known light is the beginning of life!

ii. God is still the one who originates light and life, and who commands it to be.  God is indeed the source of every bright new light wherever it shines!
Mark 1:4

D. In baptism, The Bight New Light shows us salvation, hope, assurance, and Whose we are, for all eternity! Acts 19:2,6

i. We are baptized in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.

ii. In the baptism of Jesus, God is telling us of The Bright New Light, for you and for the world:  Mark 1:11

iii. As God claims and names Jesus in water and Word, God claims and names us as well.  Mark 1:8, 10-11

a. What would we be without water?

b. Who would we be without God's water, God’s Word, God’s grace?

2. In The Baptism Of Our Lord, we are blessed with The Bright New Light; we have a new epiphany, and we see who Jesus is.  In our baptism, the same baptism Jesus received, complete with The Holy Spirit, we have another epiphany, for we see who we are, Whose we are, and more and more of who God is.  Let us go and celebrate and live in The Bright New Light Of Jesus Christ!
Mark 1:8-11

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
I have a Maker,
He formed my heart.
Before even time began,
My life was in His hand.

refrain:
He Knows my name,
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls,
And hears me when I call.

vs. 2
I have a Father,
He calls me His own.
He’ll never leave me,
No matter where I go.
(refrain twice)

And hears me when I call.

... as we pray to you, Jesus,

Give us a new epiphany, in your bright new light and grace.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

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.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, for you are blessed with The Bright New Light of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ! In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, trusting anew every epiphany in The Bright New Light, and serving The Lord of life.

Thanks be to God!

vs. 1
The Lord is my light
And my salvation,
The Lord is my light
And my salvation,
The Lord is my light
And my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?

refrain:
Whom shall I fear,
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength
Of my life;
Whom shall I fear?

vs. 3
Wait on the Lord
And be of good courage,
Oh, wait on the Lord
And be of good courage,
Wait on the Lord
And be of good courage;
He shall strengthen thy heart.
(refrain)

At this time we will transition to offering Holy Communion. As a reminder, to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

Upon leaving your seats and receiving Communion, we ask that you please leave the building and return to your vehicles.

For your safety and the safety of our community, we ask that once you leave your seated area and return to your vehicles that you avoid congregating near your vehicles.

We will continue to sing songs during Communion, and you are welcome to leave at any time. Drive Through Communion will begin at 10:15 and run until 10:30.

vs. 1
Wash, O God, our sons and daughters,
Where your cleansing waters flow.
Number them among your people;
Bless as Christ blessed long ago.
Weave them garments bright and sparkling;
Compass them with love and light.
Fill, anoint them; send your Spirit,
Holy dove and heart’s delight.

vs. 2
We who bring them long for nurture;
By your milk may we be fed.
Let us join your feast, partaking,
Cup of blessing, living bread.
God, renew us, guide our footsteps;
Free from sin and all its snares,
One with Christ in living, dying,
By your Spirit, children, heirs.

vs. 3
Oh, how deep your holy wisdom!
Unimagined, all your ways!
To your name be glory, honor!
With our lives we worship, praise!
We your people, stand before you,
Water-washed and Spirit-born.
By your grace, our lives we offer.
Re-create us; God, transform!

ref:
Take me to the water,
Take me to the water,
Take me to the water to be baptized.

vs. 1
None but the righteous, none but the righteous,
None but the righteous oh, shall see God.
(refrain)

vs. 2
I love Jesus, I love Jesus,
I love Jesus, oh, yes, I do.
(refrain)

vs. 3
He’s my Savior, he’s my Savior,
He’s my Savior, oh, yes, he is.
(refrain)

Come, thou Fount of ev’ry blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
While the hope of endless glory
Fills my heart with joy and love,
Teach me ever to adore thee;
May I still thy goodness prove.

Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by thy help I’m come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand’ring from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be;
Let that grace now like a fetter
Bind my wand’ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it;
Seal it for thy courts above.

refrain:
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water,
God’s gonna trouble the water.

vs. 1
See that host all dressed in white,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
The leader looks like the Isra’lite,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
(refrain)

vs. 2
See that band all dressed in red,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Looks like the band that Moses led,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
(refrain) 

vs. 3
Look over yonder, what do I see,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
The Holy Ghost a-comin’ on me.
God’s gonna trouble the water.
(refrain)

vs. 4
If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Just follow me down to Jordan’s stream,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
(refrain)

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Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Join us next Sunday, January 17, 9:30 a.m., as we share and celebrate The Second Sunday After Epiphany, “The Bright New Sight!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts! A blessed and holy and happy New Year to each of you and your loved ones!

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you following the closing song as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the sanctuary.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany of God’s Presence, In Signs of Grace, Hope & Light, written based on Psalm 98 © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Angels from the Realms of Glory” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #31669 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #27738 “Jesus Loves Me” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #85158 “Angels We Have Heard On High” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #27721 “Go Tell It On the Mountain” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #29080 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” Music & Lyrics Public Domain, CCLI #39441 “Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)” © 2009 worshiptogether.com songs, CCLI #5607039 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.