| January 11, 2026 – 9am
Baptism Whether this is your first time with us or your one thousand and first, we are glad that the Spirit has drawn you here today! Visitors are invited to sign the Guest Book near the front doors of the church and take home a welcome brochure to learn more about us. |
Well Pleased by Mindi Oaten |
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GATHERING |
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PRELUDE Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern Dietrich Buxtehude
Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her Johann Pachelbel
Yeon Soh, organ
WELCOME
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
the Creator of heaven and earth, the Word who spoke life into being, the Wind stirring the waters.
Amen.
Let us turn in confession to the one who knows us completely.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Mighty God, lover of justice, you call us to life in community,
but we have served our own interests at the expense of our neighbors.
We have sown deceit where honesty was needed.
We say the right words, but our hearts are far from you.
Turn us to seek your face.
Knit us together and give us the mind of Christ,
that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.
The former things have passed away, and new things God now declares:
Like a spring of water that never fails, God covers you in the righteousness of Christ,
and forgives your sin in ☩ Jesus’ name.
May the Spirit give you strength to live for others, and bless you with the gift of peace. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN Founded on Faith ACS 1048
In the purple pew hymnal
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all. And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. O God, 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 Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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WORD |
FIRST READING Isaiah 42:1-9
God’s servant is endowed with God’s spirit in order to bring justice to the nations. The servant will not exercise authority boisterously or with violence, nor will weariness ever prevent the fulfilling of the servant’s task. God’s old promises have been fulfilled; the servant’s new assignment is to bring light to the nations.
A reading from Isaiah.
1 Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry out or lift up his voice
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth,
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.
5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I have taken you by the hand and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to idols.
9 See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Cassie
After the children’s message, children ages 3-6th grade are invited to go upstairs for Sunday School classes.
Visitors are welcome to join!
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL Matthew 3:13-17
Before Jesus begins his ministry, he is baptized by John, touched by the Spirit, and identified publicly as God’s child.
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
13 Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 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. 16 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. 17 And a voice from the heavens said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Cassie
HYMN OF THE DAY Christ, When For Us You Were Baptized ELW 304
During the hymn, we will remember our baptisms through the rite of asperges!
In the red pew hymnal
APOSTLE’S CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
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. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
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, especially Lake Chauncey, Lake Ripple, and Lake Quinsigamond. 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. Defend the rights of prisoners, detainees, and all who flee from persecution. Sustain international aid workers and peacemakers. 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 to the dying, and comfort all who are grieving or ill especially Darlene, Bert, Bill, Marianne, Mary, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction or mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders. 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, especially Arthur George, whom we remember through altar flowers on what would have been his 92nd birthday. Help us to trust that we will join all the saints 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 Savior. Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING
(Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
ANTHEM The Holy Boy John Ireland
Yeon Soh, organ
PRESENTATION OF GIFTS ACS 976
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray: God of majesty, no eye has seen, no ear has heard what you have prepared for those who love you, yet in this meal you reveal the wideness of your mercy. Use what we have gathered to feed us with the reign of God come near, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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MEAL |
DIALOGUE
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. By the leading of a star he was shown forth to all nations; in the waters of the Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son; and in the miracle of water turned to wine he revealed your glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy God, we give you thanks for your son, Jesus Christ,
whom you sent to save and redeem us, and to proclaim to us your will.
He is your Word, inseparable from you,
through whom you created all things, and in whom you take delight.
He is your Word, sent from heaven to a virgin’s womb, to share in our nature and our struggle
He is the one who, handed over to a death he freely accepted, has the power to destroy death,
to break the bonds of the evil one, to show forth the resurrection.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
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.
Remembering, then, his death and resurrection, we take this bread and cup,
and proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Send your Spirit upon these gifts of your church;
gather us into one with all who come in love to this table.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit, and strengthen our faith in your truth,
that we may praise you through your Son Jesus Christ;
with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, both now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
| 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. |
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. |
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! Come and see the goodness of God.
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence. We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament. Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer),
and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
ANGUS DEI
COMMUNION SONGS Baptized in Water ELW 456
In the red pew hymnal
Baptized and Set Free ELW 453
In the red pew hymnal
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. Radiant God, we have seen your glory in the face of Jesus. Send us from this table with delight, that our lives may reflect the beauty of your love, and bear witness to all we have seen and heard. Amen.
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SENDING |
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.
SENDING HYMN Song of Thankfulness and Praise ELW 310
In the red pew hymnal
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Do justice. Love mercy.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE Fanfare on In Dulci Jubilo Don M. Dicie
Yeon Soh, organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant H Heusmann
Lector Pat Fontes
Communion Presenters Josh & Lauren Pajak
Ushers Janet Golden and Gail Walker
Organist Yeon Soh
Chancel Choir Director (interim) David Fontes
Chancel Choir Marilyn Banderet, Bruce Grams, Garrick Grant, David Hoyt, Katrina Lewonczyk, Karen Morrissey, Elliot Overholt, Ernie Zimmermann
Altar Care Joan Olson and Barbara Shumaker
Livestream Operator Justin Mayotte
Upcoming Commemorations
Martin Luther King Jr., renewer of society, martyr, died 1968
Thursday, January 15, 2026
An American prophet of justice among races and nations, King was an eloquent preacher, a leader of the nonviolent resistance to race-segregated society, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. Born on this date, he was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Antony of Egypt, renewer of the church, died around 356
Saturday, January 17, 2026
One of the earliest of the Egyptian desert fathers, Antony gave away his sizeable inheritance and became a hermit. Later he became leader of a group of monks who devoted themselves to prayer, worship, and labor.
Pachomius, renewer of the church, died 346
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Born in Egypt, Pachomius became a Christian while a soldier. He became a hermit (a solitary monk) and organized others into a religious community. His rule for monasteries influenced later ones in both the Eastern and Western churches.
From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright © 2025 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS007028. New Revised Standard Version Bible. Copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Liturgy adapted from Illustrated Ministry LLC, © 2025. 11 January Hymn Based.docx
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