Sunday, 7^th January, 2024
Said Eucharist
1^st Sunday of Epiphany (Baptism of the Lord)

Introduction

Greeting

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The president briefly welcomes the congregation.

I will go to the altar of my God:
Even to the God of my joy and gladness.

Confession and absolution

Our help is in the name of the Lord:
Who made the heavens and the earth.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we confess to you and to our siblings in Christ that we have sinned in our thoughts and in our words, in things done and in things left undone. We are truly sorry. Forgive and free us from our sins, we pray, give us strength and show us your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

May the Lord of compassion, who forgives all those who truly repent, have + mercy upon you, lay aside your sins and bring you to reign with Them in glory, through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Will you not turn again, O Lord, and give us life:
That your people may rejoice in you?

Kyrie

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Gloria

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God's people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, Almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer, for you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the most high, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Collects

Silence is kept.

O Lord and God, who at his baptism sent your Holy Spirit upon your Son that he might be known to the world, do likewise for us, bringing us safe through the waters of death, that filled with Their unquenchable life we may make disciples of all nations, and spread the Good News wherever we walk; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in time and in eternity. Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First reading: Genesis 1:1–5

A reading from the Book of Genesis.

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.

For the word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 29

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be forever, world without end. Amen.

Second reading: Acts 19:1–7

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

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.

For the word of the Lord:
Thanks be to God.

Gospel: Mark 1:4–11

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia!

+++ Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark:
Praise to you, O Lord.

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.’

Thanks be to you, O Lord, for this your glorious Gospel:
Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father, through whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven; who was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human; who was crucified for our sake under Pontius Pilate; who suffered, died and was buried; who rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures; who ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; who will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; of whose kingdom there will be no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the lifegiver, who procedes from the Father; who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified; who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We await the resurrection of the dead, and the + life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers of intercession

Prayers of intercession are said.

Liturgy of the Sacrament

Peace

We meet in Christ’s name:
Let us share his peace.

The congregation offer one another a sign of peace.

Offertory

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for by your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made; it shall become for us the bread of life. Blessed be God forever.

Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for by your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands; it shall become the cup of our salvation. Blessed be God forever.

Eucharistic prayer

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 God thanks and praise.

Heavenly Creator, all glory, praise and thanksgiving belong to you, for by your power you uphold our very being. Your Holy Spirit is eternally at work in us, breathing life into all things and weaving our lives into your dream for the world. Through your Word made flesh you have redeemed us, making us whole through his death and glorious resurrection.

As a holy people rejoicing to do your work, standing in the light of your radiance revealed to all the world in your Son, we offer you our praise, with angels and archangels, with our Lady Mary and all the saints, and the whole company of heaven, singing the hymn of your unending glory:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
+ Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Almighty God, blessed is your name in all creation, for Christ your Son in whom all things are reconciled. Through him the broken are healed, the lost are found and the outcast made welcome. His table is set that all who hunger may eat and be satisfied.

For, on the night when he was betrayed to his death, at supper with his disciples, he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying, Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, gave you thanks and gave it to them, saying, Drink this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Therefore, merciful Lord, we recall all that Jesus did among us: his birth in Bethlehem; his death on the cross; his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension. In faith, hope and love we offer to God these our gifts of sacrifice, together with our souls and bodies, that Christ may dwell evermore in us and we in him.

To this end, O God, we humbly ask that you send your Holy Spirit upon us and upon this bread and this wine, that by the power of the Spirit they may become the body and blood of your dear Son, that we may be strengthened in faith, emboldened in love and empowered to walk in your grace and truth.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom and in whom, in the union of the Holy Spirit, all praise and glory and honour be to you, Lord of all ages, world without end. Amen.

Breaking of bread

The president breaks the bread.

The living bread is broken for the life of the world:
Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray:
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. Lead us not into the time of trial, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Agnus Dei

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

Communion

The ministers and congregation receive Communion.

At the giving of the bread:
The body of Christ, the bread of life. Amen.

At the giving of the cup:
The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. Amen.

Prayers after communion

Give thanks to the Lord, for They are gracious:
And Their mercy endures forever.

Lord God Almighty, we thank you for this holy meal of the body and blood of your dear Son. Help us to be examples by his great example, and be witnesses to your justice and mercy in the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe. Amen.
May the Lord make Their face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. Amen.
May the Lord lift Their face to you and give you peace. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, + the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Dismissal

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
+ In the name of Christ. Amen.