Holy Baptism for The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord
The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord
12 January 2025
according to the Book of Common Prayer (p. 299ff.)
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We Gather in God’s Name
Hymn: Entrance
BCP 299
The people stand as able.
Greeting
Officiant:
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People:
And blessed be God’s kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Officiant:
There is one Body and one Spirit;
People:
There is one hope in God’s call to us;
Officiant:
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
People:
One God and Father of all.
The Collect of the Day
Officiant:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Officiant:
Let us pray.
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.
People:
Amen.
The people are seated.
We Hear God’s Word
The First Lesson: Isaiah 43:1-7
Lector:
A reading from the prophet Isaiah.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you;
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–
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Lector:
The word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 29
Afferte Domino
1 Ascribe to the LORD, you / gods, *
ascribe to the LORD glory and / strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his / Name; *
worship the LORD in the beauty of / holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory / thunders; *
the LORD is upon the mighty / waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is a powerful / voice; *
the voice of the LORD is a voice of / splendor.
5 The voice of the LORD breaks the / cedar trees; *
the LORD breaks the cedars of / Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip like a / calf, *
and Mount Hermon like a young wild / ox.
7 The voice of the LORD splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the LORD shakes the / wilderness; *
the LORD shakes the wilderness of / Kadesh.
8 The voice of the LORD makes the oak trees / writhe *
and strips the forests / bare.
9 And in the temple of the / LORD *
all are crying, / “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned above the / flood; *
the LORD sits enthroned as King for / evermore.
11 The LORD shall give strength to his / people; *
the LORD shall give his people the blessing of / peace.
The Second Lesson: Acts 8:14-17
Lector:
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
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.
Lector:
The word of the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.
Hymn: Sequence
The people stand as able.
The Holy Gospel: Luke 3:15-17,21-22
Deacon:
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People:
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Deacon:
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.”
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 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.”
Deacon:
The Gospel of the Lord.
People:
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The people are seated.
A brief homily, spiritual conversation, or moment of silence may be placed here.
Silence follows the homily.
We Respond in Faith
BCP 301
The Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
Celebrant:
The Candidate(s) for Holy Baptism will now be presented.
Adults and Older Children
The candidates who are able to answer for themselves are presented individually by their Sponsors, as follows
Sponsor
I present N. to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
The Celebrant asks each candidate when presented
Do you desire to be baptized?
Candidate
I do.
Infants and Younger Children
Then the candidates unable to answer for themselves are presented individually by their Parents and Godparents, as follows
Parents and Godparents
I present N. to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
When all have been presented the Celebrant asks the parents and godparents
Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
Parents and Godparents
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant
Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?
Parents and Godparents
I will, with God’s help.
Then the Celebrant asks the following questions of the candidates who can speak for themselves, and of the parents and godparents who speak on behalf of the infants and younger children
Question
Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces
of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer
I renounce them.
Question
Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer
I renounce them.
Question
Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer
I renounce them.
Question
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Answer
I do.
Question
Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer
I do.
Question
Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
Answer
I do.
After all have been presented, the Celebrant addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People
We will.
The Celebrant then says these or similar words
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
BCP 304
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant:
Do you believe in God the Father?
People:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant:
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People:
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant:
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People:
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.
Celebrant:
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People:
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant:
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People:
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant:
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People:
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant:
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People:
I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant:
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People:
I will, with God’s help.
BCP 305
Prayers for the Candidates
The Celebrant then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth.
A Person appointed leads the following petitions
Leader
Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy
Church.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
The Celebrant says
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death
of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his
resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who
lives and reigns now and for ever.
People
Amen.
BCP 306
Thanksgiving over the Water
The Celebrant blesses the water, first saying
The Lord be with you.
People
And also with you.
Celebrant
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Celebrant
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water.
Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation.
Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage
in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus
received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy
Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death
and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.
We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are
buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his
resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his
fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in
the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
At the following words, the Celebrant touches the water
Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your
Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and
born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus
Christ our Savior.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.
BCP 307
The Baptism
Each candidate is presented by name to the Celebrant, or to an assisting priest or deacon, who then immerses, or pours water upon, the candidate, saying
N., I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People
Amen.
When this action has been completed for all candidates, the Bishop or Priest, at a place in full sight of the congregation, prays over them, saying
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy
Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the
forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of
grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them
an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to
persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy
and wonder in all your works.
People
Amen.
Then the Bishop or Priest places a hand on the person’s head, marking on the forehead the sign of the cross [using Chrism if desired] and saying to each one
N., you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever.
People
Amen.
When all have been baptized, the Celebrant says
Let us welcome the newly baptized.
Celebrant and People
We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.
The Peace
Presider:
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People:
And also with you.
We greet one another in the name of the Lord.
Epiphany Proclamation
The people are seated.
The Announcements
We Offer Ourselves To God
The altar is prepared
The people stand as able.
Hymn: Offertory
BCP 367
The Great Thanksgiving: Eucharistic Prayer B
Celebrant:
The Lord be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Celebrant:
Lift up your hearts.
People:
We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People:
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The Celebrant continues:
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
A Proper Preface may be used here.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Hymnal S-130
Sanctus
Celebrant and People:
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.
The Celebrant continues:
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, according to his command, O Father,
Celebrant and People
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
The Celebrant continues:
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with blessed Thomas, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
Celebrant:
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.
People:
AMEN.
BCP 364
The Lord’s Prayer
Presider:
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say,
Officiant and People:
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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Presider:
Alleluia! Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People:
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia!
Presider:
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
pb
We Receive the Gift of God
“If a person desires to receive the Sacrament, but, by reason of extreme sickness or physical disability, is unable to eat and drink the Bread and Wine, the Celebrant is to assure that person that all the benefits of Communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.” (BCP, 457)
The ministers receive the Sacrament in both kinds, and then immediately deliver it to the people. All are welcome to receive at Christ’s table. If you would prefer to receive a verbal blessing instead of communion, cross your arms over your chest to indicate this.
Hymn: Communion
BCP 366
The Post-communion Prayer
Presider:
Let us pray.
People:
Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The Blessing
Hymn: Processional
BCP 366
The Dismissal
Deacon:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People:
Thanks be to God.