Epiphany, The Baptism of Christ
Welcome our written service which offers the readings for today, prayers and music. Today we celebrate Epiphany, when the Magi were led by a star to worship the Christ-child. We also celebrate the Baptism of Christ. Epiphany means ‘revelation’. It is the feast on which Jesus is revealed as the One who he truly is. Today we celebrate the baptism of Jesus:
Opening Prayers
O God,
who by the leading of a star
manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth:
mercifully grant that we,
who know you now by faith,
may at last behold your glory face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Baptism of Jesus
Now when all the people were baptised, and when Jesus also had been baptised 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.’
Opening Hymn
Hymn 52 – O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
The Readings
Isaiah 42: 1-9
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3: 13-17
The Anthem
Anthem: The Three Kings – Peter Cornelius
Hymn
The Intercessions
As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends.
Let us release grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed.
Let us keep God in our hearts and to call God’s name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right.
Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none.
May your year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God’s blessings shower upon you and bestow upon each of you a bright, healthy and peaceful new year.
Lord God we pray today for our friends, our families and our Christian community, that united by our common baptism we may always welcome the newcomer, the stranger and all who are vulnerable.
We also remember today all involved in education as they return to school and university, praying that their efforts will be justly rewarded and that they will achieve their full potential.
(Short Silence)
Lord; in your mercy hear our prayer.
God, we pray for those who face difficulties in their personal lives. We raise before you all who are sick, the bereaved, those with problems in their families, in their relationships, in their neighbourhoods or in their workplace. Give them a patient faith in their troubles and the knowledge that you share their sufferings with them.
(Short Silence)
Lord; in your mercy hear our prayer.
We give thanks for lives well lived and for happy memories. May they find rest in the eternal joy of heaven and may all who mourn their passing find comfort and peace.
(Short Silence)
Lord; in your mercy hear our prayer.
Father, we thank you for making us your children, for feeding us with the spiritual food which satisfies our longings and for the promise that you listen to our supplications and answer our requests.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Closing Hymn
Hymn 27 – How brightly shines the Morning Star
Closing Prayers
Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
God our Father, whose Son, the light unfailing, has come from heaven to deliver the world from the darkness of ignorance:let these holy mysteries open the eyes of our understanding that we may know the way of life, and walk in it without stumbling; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
