Description

Luke 3:15-22

We live in a world that works hard at telling us who we should be. We hear it and see it in the media every day. You should look like this. You should have these things. You should do this or that. You should listen to him or her. Everywhere we turn, people of the world have the answers for defining who we are to be. Who do you want to determine your identity? Who are you? God has given us the best response if we are asked that question: “I am a baptized child of God.”

We Lift Our Hearts in Worship

[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]

Time of Praise and Worship

Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Holy Is The Lord

[Traditional Options]

On My Heart Imprint Your Image

ELW 811; LBW 102; LW 100; LSB 422

To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord

HS 98 816; LSB 405

Arise and Shine in Splendor

LSB 396; LW 85

Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme

Pastor We begin this service of worship in the name of the Father, our Creator, the Son, our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, our Sustaine

ALL Amen!

Opening Prayer

Pastor Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we gather today as your children and acknowledge you as the one true God. In the midst of a world with many voices competing for our attention, we worship you as the One who defines who we are in Christ Jesus. We ask that you speak to us through your mighty word and help us embrace who we. We know clearly that you love us all unconditionally and in the waters of baptism, you have claimed us and named us as your children. Thank you for loving us so much!

ALL In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Time of Greeting

Time of Confession and Forgiveness

Pastor God of hope and glory, you have known each of us since before we were born. We have been created in your image and you see in us a goodness and a potential that we don’t see ourselves. You constantly cheer us on as we journey through this world. Lord, we find ourselves filling our ears with the sounds of the world and neglect the life-giving and life-changing sound of your word. Lord, help us open our ears to you and your powerful word. We need your wisdom and mercy.

(A time of personal reflection and confession)

ALL Father, in humility, we ask for your mercy and forgiveness. We openly make confession to you that we have listened to the voices of the world around us instead of letting your voice take priority. Much of the time, we confess that what you want us to be and what you want us to do is in conflict with the desires the world has for us. Bring us back to you and renew a right spirit within us. Place in us an understanding of who we are—what our identity is—as your children in the waters of baptism.

Pastor Know in your hearts that our Lord is faithful and just, and by confessing your sins in this moment, you are granted forgiveness. As a called minister and servant of Christ, I tell you now that your sins are forgiven and washed away forever. You are accepted, reconciled and renewed as a child of God in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

We Hear God’s Word

[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]

First Reading Isaiah 43:1-7

The Lord has created each of you as unique and gifted human beings. God knows each of you by name and promises to walk with you through the valleys and over the mountains in our lives. Here is our assurance:

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.”

Church Year	Year C
Lectionary	LCMS Readings
Scripture	Luke
Sunday	1st Sunday after the Epiphany, The Baptism of Our Lord

Who Are You?-The Baptism of Our Lord/The First Sunday after The Epiphany-LCMS Readings