Worship and Devotions

First Sunday After Epiphany - Baptism Of Our Lord

January 11, 2026

Welcome visitors and old friends. Welcome regardless of belief, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, age, abilities, or life situation. Welcome believers and doubters as well as doubting believers. Welcome to share the fullness of Christ's love for the world! (Adapted from The welcome message from the Thomas Community in Finland. "Celebrating milestone moments" by Rev. Jukka Joensuu. Canada Lutheran January/February 2024 Vol. 39 No. 1; chorus of ELW 523)

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.

Music

Come To The Water Of Life

Come to the Water of Life - ELW/ACS 955 - YouTube

Prayer of the Day

O God our Father, at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful to their calling to be your daughters and sons, and empower us all with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Music

When Jesus Came To Jordan

When Jesus Came to Jordan - ELW 305

Readings

Isaiah 42:1-9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-43

Gospel - Matthew 3: 13-17

Glory to you, O Lord.

Before Jesus begins his ministry, he is baptized by John, touched by the Spirit, and identified publicly as God’s child.

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him, and he saw God’s Spirit descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

Praise to you, O Christ.

Music

Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized

ELW 304 "Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized" Virtual Hymn Lutheran Hymn - Samm Hills Worship - YouTube

Sermon

https://youtu.be/1la68yUqcVo

Prayers of Intercession

As God’s beloved children united in Christ, let us pray for the church, the whole human community, and the well-being of the earth, our home.

A brief silence.

Steadfast God, give courage to your servant church. Heal our divisions and unite us in mission. Uphold our lay leaders, missionaries, pastors, and bishops and all who proclaim hope in a broken world. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Restoring God, cleanse the life-giving waters of rivers, seas, and springs. Create in us an urgent desire to preserve the beauty and bounty of your good creation. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Righteous God, you guide the nations. Reconcile warring enemies and end cycles of violent retribution especially between and within Israel and Hamas, Ukraine and Russia, Cambodia and Thailand, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Sudan, and Nigeria. Defend the rights of prisoners, detainees, and all who flee from persecution. Sustain international aid workers and peacemakers. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

God most mighty, God most merciful, you are our refuge and strength. We come before you with heavy hearts, lifting up the people of Venezuela following the U.S. military action on January 3, 2026. Bring calm where there is fear, clarity where there is confusion, and restraint where there is anger or despair. We pray for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Venezuela. Let the church be a living sign of your grace and a place of refuge, truth, accompaniment, and hope for all who suffer. Where systems oppress and voices are silenced, raise up pathways of accountability, reconciliation and peace. Guide us all in the way of building peace built on justice, equality, and recognition of every human life as sacred. We entrust Venezuela, its people and your church into your loving hands, trusting not in our own strength but in your steadfast love made known in Jesus Christ, who is our peace. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Compassionate God, you care for all in distress. Provide safety and support for those seeking asylum or in need of shelter. Be near the dying and grant comfort and healing to all who are grieving or ill, especially the families of the more than 1,550 people who have died from toxic drug overdoses in BC this year; the families of all murdered and missing Indigenous persons; the more than 218 homeless here in the Comox Valley; the more than 600 homeless in Nanaimo; and others whom we name in our heart. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Loving God, awaken the gifts of the Spirit in this congregation, that we may serve Christ by loving one another, our neighbors, and our enemies. We pray for travelers and those who are homebound. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Promising God, in baptism we die and rise with Christ. We give thanks for those who have gone before us, and we trust that we will join them in your everlasting peace. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Confident that the Holy Spirit receives our prayers and answers us, we commend all for whom we pray to God’s loving-kindness made known to us in Christ Jesus our Saviour.

Amen.