Prelude
Announcements
Call to Worship and Confession and Forgiveness
God calls us to come to prepare the way,
People of God: The way for Christ.
God calls us to come to prepare the way,
People of God: The way for the hope of Christ, the peace of Christ.
God calls us to come to prepare the way
People of God: For Jesus to enter our world, to enter our hearts.
We cry out together in the wilderness:
People of God: The kingdom of heaven has come near!
We come to be part of the light,
People of God: the light that shines in the darkness. Amen.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who makes all things new, whose mercy endures forever.
People of God: Amen.
Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Holy One, source of our renewal,
People of God: we confess that we are wrapped up in sin, and cannot free ourselves. We have not practiced your righteousness. Our hearts have turned away from you. For the sake of the world you so love, forgive us, that we may be reconciled to one another for the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Thus says our God: “The former things have come to pass and new things I now declare.” God’s mercy makes us new. We are forgiven in the name of ☩ Christ our Savior.
People of God: Amen.
Prayer of the Day Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Righteous God, you sent your son Jesus to be baptized by John in the Jordan, so that all might hear the proclamation of your love. Make us voices of proclamation, so that all might know of your love through our words and our actions. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
People of God: Amen.
Reading Matthew 3:1-17
Assisting Minister: 1In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.'” 4Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 7But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bear fruit worthy of repentance. 9Do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” 13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” The word of the Lord. People of God: Thank be to God.
Sermon
Prayers of the People
Assisting Minister: Sisters and brothers, our baptismal vows call us to compassion and mercy on behalf of those in need. We offer our prayers for the church and the world.
A brief silence.
Assisting Minister: We pray that your spirit rest upon the church and its leaders, that we may better proclaim your great love and mercy. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: We pray that your Spirit rests upon the waters, that this fundamental element of life may protect and preserve all people. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: We pray that your Spirit rests upon the president, senators, representatives, governors, mayors, and all civil leaders, that they may serve with compassion and humility. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: We pray that your Spirit rests upon all the baptized, that we may live in ways that please you. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: We pray that your Spirit rests upon those dealing with illness and loss, that they may know the peace of your presence with them always. We pray especially for Mary, the Knaack Family, the McDonough family, Jeanne, Barb, Cecil (See-sil), Stan, Marlene, Ryleigh, Dylan, Sandy, Hopie (Hope-y), the Lang family, the Mauger (maw-ger) family, Susan, the Bredemus (bread-a-mus) family, Allen, Bunny, the Vogt (vote) family, Richard, Pat, Pete, Dick, Karen, Patricia, Michael, Nicholas and his family, Beth, Jim, Kara (car-a), Betty, Tom, Lorie and her family, Pastor Kara (car-a) and those we name silently or aloud <pause> . Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Assisting Minister: We pray that your Spirit rests upon this assembly, that we may prepare the way for the coming of your Kingdom. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Please offer your own prayers of joy or concern, ending with “Lord, in your mercy,”
We respond with “hear our prayer.”
Assisting Minister: We pray that your Spirit rests upon the faithful dead, that their memory may strengthen our faith and move us to acts of love and charity. Lord, in your mercy, People of God: hear our prayer.
Lord God, you revealed your Son in the waters of the Jordan and anointed him with the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim good news to all people. Sanctify us by the same Spirit, that we may proclaim the healing power of the gospel by acts of love in your name. People of God: Amen.
Hymn ELW #819 Come All You People Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by Jordan Devine
Children’s Sermon
The Peace (Please share peace by waving or showing the peace sign.)
The peace of Christ be with you always. People of God: And also with you.
Offering
Let us pray. Liberating God, you break the bonds of injustice and let the oppressed go free. Receive these offerings in thanksgiving for all your works of merciful power, and shape us as people of your justice and freedom. You we magnify and adore, through Jesus our Savior, People of God: Amen.
Communion
The Lord be with you.
People of God: And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
People of God: We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People of God: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
And now let us pray with confidence in the words that Jesus taught us:
People of God: 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.
Invitation to Communion
Assisting Minister: Come and taste the joy of God!
For our at-home worshippers, you may take communion using these words:
The body of Christ, given for you.
The blood of Christ, shed for you.
Table Blessing
And now may the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. People of God: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
Assisting Minister: Let us pray. Holy One, we thank you for the healing that springs forth abundantly from this table. Renew our strength to do justice, love kindness, and journey humbly with you. People of God: Amen.
Blessing
The God who faithfully brings forth justice and breaks the oppressor’s rod ☩ bless, strengthen, and uphold you, today and always. People of God: Amen.
Sending Hymn ELW #413 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty Played by Gloria Peetz Sung by Jordan Devine
Dismissal
Assisting Minister: Go in peace. Follow the way of Jesus. People of God: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Thank you to those serving us today
Pastor: Rev. Daniel Shutters
Worship Assistant: Brenda Kolak
Acolyte: Adam Vogt
Music: Gloria Peetz ~ Song Leader: Jordan Devine
Altar Guild: Karen Barkley
Usher/Greeter: Andy Taylor
Sound Board: Nancy Rochford
AV Tech: Mark Gates
Counter: Marianne Barstow
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved
Call to Worship based on work written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Spacious Faith. http://spaciousfaith.com/
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