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Baptism of Our Lord

Kurt Christenson

Sunday, January 12, 2025

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BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

January 12, 2025

10:00 a.m.

PRELUDE On Jordan’s Bank the Baptists’s Cry Puer Nobis, Michael Praetorius 1676-1749

Shall We Gather at the River arr. Shultz / Engel

The hymn “Shall we gather at the river” was written one afternoon in July, 1864, when Dr. Lowry was pastor of the Hanson Place Baptist (now Methodist) Church, in Brooklyn, N.Y. The weather was oppressively hot, and the author was lying on a lounge in a state of physical exhaustion. He was almost incapable of bodily exertion, and his imagination began to take itself wings. Visions of the future passed before him with startling vividness. The imagery of the Apocalypse took the form of tableaux. Brightest of all were the throne, the heavenly river, and the gathering of the saints. While he was thus breathing heavily in the sultry atmosphere of that July day, his soul seemed to take new life from that celestial outlook. He began to wonder why the hymn-writers had said so much about “the river of death,” and so little about “the pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.”

Henry Burrage late 1880’s

WELCOME

SOLA GRATIA +

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

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 gift of baptism.

We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.

Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons,

making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.

We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.

Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.

To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

KYRIE AND HYMN OF PRAISE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray together: Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

SOLA SCRIPTURA +

READING FROM THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 43:1-7

Near the end of Israel’s exile in Babylon, God promises to bring the people home. They need no longer be afraid, because the one who formed, created, and called them by name now redeems them from all their enemies. God declares them precious and honored, and God loves them.

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, 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.”

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

A LIVING PSALM Dinora Reyna-Gutierrez

Executive Dir., San Diego Organizing Project

EPISTLE LESSON: Acts 8:14-17

Peter and John are sent to support the new Christians in Samaria, a group that was recently baptized after hearing the good news of Christ through the preaching of Philip. Here the Samaritans receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in the laying on of hands.

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.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

GOSPEL: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 Glory to you, O Lord.

The reading opens with questions about the identity of the Messiah. John the Baptist insists that he is not the Messiah; instead he points ahead to one who is coming. And whether the voice of God was heard by all or only by Jesus, God settles the matter: Jesus is God’s beloved Son.

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.

SERMON Pastor Kurt

SOLA FIDE +

HYMN OF THE DAY

OFFERING

Give online using the QR code to the right

or Text “Give” to (866) 870-5222

Music O Christ, Our Light, O Radiance True excerpt from Paul Manz

OFFERING PRAYER

God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you; you open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Fill us with all the good at your table that we may, in turn, come to the help of all in need through Jesus Christ, our redeemer, and Lord.

Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

*each petition will end with the phrase “God of grace,” your response is “hear our prayer.”

APOSTLES CREED We share together in the ancient story of 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.

EXCHANGE OF PEACE

The Peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.

COMMUNION LITURGY FOR EPIPHANY

Come and see! The ruler of the earth has come, our Lord born in a stable and raised in the temple, our Lord who will take away from us the heavy burden of our exile, and guide us with the light of his grace through this world and the next. Come, let us gather around the table and prepare to meet him.

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, that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, … we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, …

… Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we who share in Christ’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.

OUR LORD'S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Come, let us share this meal of gladness.

COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION

First Lutheran invites all who trust that God is somehow present in the bread and wine, however full of mystery that might be for you, to join us at the Table of Grace and Thanksgiving. In the center of each tray there is white grape juice for those who prefer. We also have gluten free wafers. If you wish for those please indicate when you reach Pastor.

AGNUS DEI

COMMUNION HYMN Baptized and Set Free

COMMUNION BLESSING & PRAYER

Now may the body and blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.

Nourishing God, at this table you have refreshed us with holy gifts of food and drink.

Strengthen us for service, and send us out to embody your good news of liberation and healing for the sake of the world. In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.

SENDING SONG Crashing Waters at Creation

BLESSING & BENEDICTION

The Spirit of the triune God bless you with joy, anoint you with compassion,

and send you in love. Amen.

Go in peace. Live in Hope.

Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE I Need Thee Every Hour music-Robert Lowry arr. James Kasen

We have a personal account of the genesis of "I Need Thee Every Hour": Annie Hawks writes, who wrote the text to this hymn, "One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks during a bright June morning [in 1872]. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me -- 'I Need Thee Every Hour. . .

I need thee every hour, | most gracious Lord; / no tender voice like thine | can peace afford.

I need thee, O I need thee; | every hour I need thee; / O bless me now, my Savior, | I come to thee.

Following the death of her husband, Hawks reflected on the power of her song: "I did not understand at first why this hymn had touched the great throbbing heart of humanity. It was not until long after, when the shadow fell over my way, the shadow of a great loss, that I understood something of the comforting power in the words which I had been permitted to give out to others in my hour of sweet serenity and peace."

It seemed fitting today to play a couple of hymns both as a prelude and a postlude connected to Robert Lowry and Annie Hawkes. I chose these to help comfort the extreme sense of loss of so many people and families in LA due to the fires. Oh Lord we need thee every hour. - Engel

Bill Engel dedicates a Tree of life to those who have suffered great loss this week and for our epiphany season here at FLC to encourage a season of Light and Growth.

The Rev. Kurt Christenson, Pastor

Bill Engel, Music Director

Earl Vaults, Tenor Sax

Paul Engel, Cantor

Joann Masters, Lector

Eric Sloniker, Assisting Minister

David Pohl, Joann Masters, Randy Sensmeier, Joyce Sensmeier, Paul Engel, Jan Neuhaus, Billie Thompson, Elizabeth Connolly, Victoria Pearson, Singers

Brian Jensen, Rebecca Kjonegaard, Melodie Baker, Sound, Video, & Computer

Ruth Clayton, Melinda Person, Ushers

Hymns, Prayers, Liturgy

from Sundays and Seasons 2020, Year C

reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #SB137579

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Keeping it out Front…Our Strategic Ministry At Work

First Lutheran Church Congregational Priorities:

Connecting with each other
Fostering leadership
Attending to our Virtual Community
Incorporating Children, Youth, & Families into the Life of the Congregation.
Justice focus of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Racial Justice

Today After Worship: Dinora Reyna-Gutierrez with the San Diego Organizing Project

This Sunday we are blessed to welcome Dinora Reyna-Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP), to worship and to lead our Forum. Over the decades First has had deep ties to SDOP and their work bringing peace, justice, healing and joy to our region. Please plan to stay after worship to learn more. The San Diego Organizing Project is a network of 24 community organizing congregations in San Diego County. Dinora believes that unlocking the power of people can and will be the liberation of all people. She joined SDOP in 2014 as an organizer working with congregations across San Diego county.

Sponsor a Tree for Epiphany

To celebrate Epiphany, we'd like to set up a live tree in the sanctuary as a reminder of the living word and Christ's light. If you'd like to sponsor the tree, please register on our website by clicking on the GIVE tab. The cost is $75 and you can take the tree home to plant after Epiphany is concluded!

Book Club: This Thursday!

Our January selection, The Lost Workshop by Evie Woods, is advertised as “the most charming and uplifting novel of 2024!” Who wouldn’t want to be charmed and uplifted in the New Year?! If that seems enticing, join us as we discover a vanishing Dublin bookshop where nothing is as it seems and books are portals to other places, other lives. Follow the characters Opaline, Martha and Henry as they discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones in their favorite books.

Please join us Thursday, January 16 at 4:00PM in the FLC library as we discuss this magical story and enjoy the fellowship of each other’s company. Colleen Kramer will host. If you’ve been curious about joining the Book Group, a New Year would be the perfect time to begin. All are welcome! If you have questions, talk to any Book Group member or contact Martha Radatz at 619-210-4728 or m28rz@icloud.com.

Congregational Meeting Part 2: January 19

At this second of two annual congregational meetings, we will hear from ministry leaders as they present the 2024 FLC Annual Report. Come join us as we celebrate and reminisce on the many ways FLC has been the Heart of Christ in the Heart of the City during 2024.

Bible Study

Join Pastor Kurt and Jim Boyd for a weekly dive into the Bible. We meet every Sunday at 9:00 in the Church Library for study, coffee, donuts, and discussion. For the new season of Epiphany we will be looking at the weekly lessons appointed for each Sunday. Join us, everyone is welcome at the table.

National Day of Racial Healing: January 21

Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central time, for a free, online event to observe the 2025 National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH). Presented by the ELCA in partnership with Augsburg Fortress Publishers, this educational event will feature worship, workshops, music and guided reflection while centering the voices of ELCA leaders of color. Please see the Heartbeat for the registration link.

TACO Bites

The Coronado Times featured an article about TACO on December 26! Check out the Heartbeat this week for a link to the article.
It's winter, and TACO is in immediate need of bags, blankets, men’s pants, men’s shoes, and men’s hoodies. Any donations are always welcome, but these items are in especially great demand right now.
TACO is exploring the possibility of offering free haircuts to clients on shower days. Do you know of anyone who would be interested in donating their services?
Empty Bowls will be returning this year, but we are in need of new pottery studios to donate bowls. Do you know of anyone who would be interested in donating bowls?

This week at FLC

Monday	12:00 AA in the lounge 4:00 TACO meal & clinics
Wednesday	10:00 TACO Starbucks and snacks; Clothing closet
Thursday	12:00 Al Anon in the library
Friday	9:00 TACO meal 12:00 AA in the lobby
Sunday	9:00 Bible Study 10:00 Worship 3:00 Chinese Bible Church Worship