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First Sunday after the Epiphany—Baptism of Our Lord

JANUARY 14, 2018

Come, Follow Me: the Lord's Anointed

elcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. In our service we gather before

our almighty God to offer him our worship and praise. We also gather to strengthen ourselves

through the study of God’s holy and powerful word.

Welcome Worshiper Cards are located in the book racks. Please fill one out and place it in

the offering plate later in the service.

Restrooms are located in the entryway.

Two Nursery rooms are available for parents with small children.

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

The Son of God who has come into the world calls us to follow him. During the Epiphany season, we

learn about that call to follow and about him who gives it. Today we learn about him through his

baptism. He is the one God chose from before creation to be the world’s Savior. Because God has

joined us to him at our baptism, we can be confident of our salvation.

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

O God in heaven, remind us always of the gifts

given at baptism. May the Father’s love poured

out for us through water and the Word continue

to give us comfort and strength. May your grace

shared with us continue to flow through us. And

may the Spirit’s wisdom continue to guide us

until the Last Day. I pray this in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Flowers adorning our altar this morning are given

to the glory of God by David Stepanovich

praising Jesus, the lamb of God.

Minister: Pastor Daniel Schroeder

Pianist: Bob Fromuth

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3461 Merle Ave

Modesto, CA 95355

(209) 551-0563

www.stpetermodesto.org

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CALL TO WORSHIP

Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen.

M: I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

C: Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. (John 3:5,6)

M: Surely we were sinful at birth, sinful from the time our mothers conceived us. (Psalm 51:5)

C: But we were washed, we were sanctified, we were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus

Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

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M: As baptized children of God, we confess our sins.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed

you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is

good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for

my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

M: Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the

washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without

stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27). Therefore, as

a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the

Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray.

Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved

Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Keep us who are baptized into Christ faithful in our

calling as your children and make us heirs with him of everlasting life; through your Son, Jesus

Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Children are invited to come forward for a message directed at them

FIRST LESSON Acts 16:25-34

We are joined to God’s Anointed One at our baptism

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the

prisoners were listening to them. 26

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that

the foundations of the prison were shaken. Instantly all the doors were opened, and

everyone’s chains came loose. 27

When the jailer woke up and saw that the prison

doors were opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, because he

thought that the prisoners had escaped. 28

But Paul shouted with a loud voice, “Don’t

harm yourself, because we are all here!”

29The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling in front of Paul and

Silas. 30

Then he brought them outside and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your

household.” 32

They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his home. 33

At the same hour of the night, he took them and washed their wounds. Without

delay, he and all his family were baptized. 34

Then he brought Paul and Silas into his

house and set food before them. He rejoiced, because he and his whole household

had come to believe in God. (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God!

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SONG RESPONSE

The vital relationship between Holy Baptism and daily repentance and absolution is vividly

described in this hymn.

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GOSPEL LESSON Mark 1:4-11

Jesus is shown to be the Lord’s Anointed One at his baptism

After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings:

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for

the forgiveness of sins.

5The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to

him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 6John was clothed in camel’s hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. He ate

locusts and wild honey. 7He preached, “One more powerful than I is coming after

me. I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the strap of his sandals! 8I 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. 10

Just as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens being torn open

and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11

And a voice came from heaven: “You

are my Son, whom I love. I am well pleased with you.” (EHV)

After the Gospel, the congregation sings:

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge

the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness

of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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HYMN OF THE DAY To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord

Christian Worship #89

SERMON Isaiah 49:1-6

“Jesus Knew What He Wanted to be When He Grew Up”

Listen to me, you coastlands. Pay attention, you faraway peoples! The LORD called

me from the womb. When I was inside my mother, he mentioned my name. 2He

made my mouth like a sharpened sword. He hid me in the shadow of his hand. He

made me a polished arrow. He concealed me in his quiver. 3He said to me, “You are

my servant Israel, in whom I will display my glory.” 4But I said to myself, “I have

labored in vain. I spent my strength and came up empty, with nothing. Yet a just

verdict for me rests with the LORD, and my reward is with my God.”

5But now the LORD, who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to turn Jacob

back to him, so that Israel might be gathered to him, so that I will be honored in the

eyes of the LORD, because my God has been my strength— 6the LORD said: It is too

small a thing that you should just be my servant to raise up only the tribes of Jacob

and to restore the ones I have preserved in Israel, so I will appoint you to be a light

for the nations, so that my salvation will be known to the end of the earth. (EHV)

REMEMBRANCE OF OUR BAPTISM

M: Holy Baptism is the precious means of grace by which our Father in heaven connects us with

Christ in his, life, death, and resurrection. In Holy Baptism, God takes away our sins and gives

new life in Christ our Lord. He creates new sons and daughters. Born again by water and the

Spirit, we are made members of the body of Christ. Living in fellowship with him and with his

people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God. We solemnly renounce the devil

and all his works and ways; we confess the gift of faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Let us, therefore, reaffirm the promises our Lord made to us in our Baptism.

I ask you: Do you reject the devil along with all his lies and empty promises?

C: Yes, and I ask God to help me.

M: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty?

C: Yes, I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

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M: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son?

C: Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to

judge the living and the dead.

M: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

C: Yes, I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the

forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

M: Do you intend to continue in this faith, to be diligent in the use of Word and sacrament and in

faith and action remain true to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—as long as you live?

C: Yes, and I ask God to help me.

OFFERING

The members of St. Peter Congregation have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this community

and around the world. Guests at St. Peter are welcome to participate in the offering but need not feel

obligated to do so.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH AND LORD’S PRAYER

M: Lord Jesus, at your baptism you revealed yourself as the obedient Son of man, who shared our

humanity in every way. Your heavenly Father revealed you as his beloved Son, in whom he was

well pleased. The Holy Spirit revealed you as the Christ, anointed and armed to destroy the work

of the devil. C: We thank you, beloved Son of God, that you took on yourself the nature of a servant,

became like us, and were obedient to the will of your heavenly Father.

M: Lord Jesus, eternal Word of God, you have connected your mighty word and gracious promises

to the water of Holy Baptism. In Baptism you cleansed us from sin, redeemed us from the

oppression of death, and clothed us in your perfect holiness. We praise you for your treasure of

Baptism. C: Encourage us to remember our baptism daily as we die to sin and rise to new life with you.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

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M: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; for you live

and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

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.

HYMN God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It

Christian Worship Supplement #737

This 18th

century hymn poetically describes the power of baptism over sin, death and the devil. Even

though the words tell a powerful story, the tune is light and seems to float through the air as it is sung.

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SENDING AND BLESSING

M: For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though

many, are one body, so also is Christ.

C: For by one Spirit we all were baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether

slaves or free people, and we were all caused to drink one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12,13)

M: There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in the one hope of your calling.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through

all, and in us all.

C: But to each one of us grace was given, according to the measure of the gift from Christ. (Ephesians 4:4-7)

M: In baptism God has given you your true identity as his child in Christ, for you bear

C: the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

M: Baptized into Christ, your true calling is the way of service to all,

C: just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a

ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

M: Finally, our baptism gives us an eternal destiny in Christ:

C: We have died, and our life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life,

appears, then we also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:3,4)

M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with

you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

C: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN All Who Believe and Are Baptized

Christian Worship #299

The following were reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-706579: Divine Service Texts revised from The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, Music: © 2002 Kermit Moldenhauer.

Cover artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright 2015 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved.

The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage VersionTM (EHVTM) copyright © 2016 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved.

www.wartburgproject.org