Eden On The Bay
All are welcome ~ Come as you are
Baptism of our Lord - 1/9/2022The 115th Anniversary of the faith community of Eden Evangelical Lutheran Church Today’s festival rejoices in God’s blessings. We recall and celebrate our adoption as God’s children, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised company of almighty God when we “pass through the waters . . . the rivers . . . fire.” On this day the heavens open again for this assembly, and we receive the gift of God’s Beloved, Jesus. Announcements As you prepare for worship, gathered in virtual community and connected by God’s beautiful and unfathomable design, you are invited to light a candle for your home worship space. Confession and Forgiveness All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins. Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who creates us, redeems us, and calls us by name. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you and your beloved children. We have turned our faces away from your glory when it did not appear as we expected. We have rejected your word when it made us confront ourselves. We have failed to show hospitality to those you called us to welcome. Accept our repentance for the things we have done and the things we have left undone. For the sake of Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us and lead us, that we may bathe in the glory of your Son born among us, and reflect your love for all creation. Amen. Rejoice in this good news: In Christ Jesus, your sins are forgiven. You are descendants of the Most High, adopted into the household of Christ, and inheritors of eternal life. Live as freed and forgiven children of God. Amen. Greeting 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 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. Word First Reading: 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. But now thus says the Lord, Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God. Psalm: Psalm 29 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3) Ascribe to the Lord, you gods,
Second Reading: 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. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 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. The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 3rd chapter Glory to you, O Lord Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 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. As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 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. 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.” The Gospel of the Lord! Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker 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 him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son,* who with the Father and the Son is worshiped 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 look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Prayers of Intercession The Spirit of the Lord is poured out upon us in abundance; so we are bold to pray for the church, the world, and all that God has made. A brief silence. By the Holy Spirit, you gather your church and send it out in mission to share the good news of Jesus. Inspire your faithful people to be fervent in prayer and service, that all people know they are precious in God’s sight. God of grace, hear our prayer. You reveal your love and power through water and the Spirit. Guard rivers, seas, and all bodies of water from destruction and pollution. Secure access to clean water for all, and protect the land from drought and flood. God of grace, hear our prayer. Establish among the nations the blessings of peace. Raise up leaders who will protect vulnerable people in their care. Strengthen advocates who risk reputation or retaliation for the sake of mercy and justice. God of grace, hear our prayer. You protect us through the fires and troubled waters of this life. Assure us that we will not be cut off from you by illness or despair, anxiety or pain, confusion or weakness. Comfort all who are in need (especially). God of grace, hear our prayer. We are joined in baptism to Christ and to one another. Bless those who are newly baptized and those who are preparing for baptism. Help us to be faithful in fellowship, worship, evangelism, service, and justice-seeking. God of grace, hear our prayer. Here other intercessions may be offered. You created each of your saints for your glory. We give thanks for those you have called by name into your eternal embrace (especially). Comfort us in grief and release us from fear. God of grace, hear our prayer. Since we have such great hope in your promises, O God, we lift these and all of our prayers to you in confidence and faith; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Peace (In ASL) The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. Offering Offering Prayer Blessed are you, O God, Sovereign of the universe. You offer us new beginnings and guide us on our journey. Lead us to your table, nourish us with this heavenly food, and prepare us to carry your love to a hungry world, in the name of Christ our light. Amen. THANKSGIVING FOR THE WORD The presiding minister leads the following prayer. Let us pray. Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things: you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos, and brought life into being. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise. By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts: freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey, a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise. Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness: forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise. Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need. Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen. Lord’s Prayer Our faithful teacher Jesus gave us the words we need to bring us back to God and our God-given selves when he taught us to pray: 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. Sending Blessing God, who leads you in pathways of righteousness, who rejoices over you, and who calls you by name, bless your going out and your coming in, today and forever. Amen. Dismissal Go with Christ into a weary world. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Please remember the following people in your prayers: Paxton, Marlene Robbins, Tara Henry, Craig, Ray Berg, Anne Balko, Christina Bell, Jake Rosenberg, Dawn Syers, Rick, Tommy Paradise, Lana, Joe, Arlene Posont, Paige, Mary Kutsick, Jamie, Billie Lindquist, Jonnie Tru, Gary, Kay St.Amour, Florence, Jen Lincoln, Amy Sturtleen, Phil, Doris Hayrynen, and all who are in our prayers today. Nursing Home: Ruth Elavsky, Jim LeVeque, and Babe Strand Assisted Living: Norma Secreast In Service: Airman Craig Oas, Ryan Graves, Zac Culter, Mike Knickerbocker, Sean Sutherland, Peter Peterson, Mathew Moilanen, Michael Graves, Airman Mikala Robinson, and our veterans who have returned to their communities. General: All who deal with COVID-19 here in our neighborhoods and beyond. PRESIDING MINISTER: Elaine Robbins ASSISTING MINISTER: Norma Dick – Saturday Brenda St. Martin - Sunday USHERS: Dave & Carol Eglsaer – Saturday Volunteers Needed on Sunday ALTAR GUILD: Brenda St. Martin MUSICIAN: Events of the Week Saturday January 15th – Saturday Worship Service – 5:00pm - In-person Sunday January 16th – 10:30am Worship Service - In-person and on Facebook Live Sunday January 30th - Annual Meeting following service Please contact Pastor Tommy Richter if pastoral care is needed - or 215-470-9948 cell; 906-286-4383 home PLEASE WEAR A MASK WHEN WORSHIPPING OR GATHERING INDOORS. |