Monday, May 13, 2013

A Pentecost Celebration of Baptism


Pentecost
19 May 2013

The Gathering of the Community

The Opening Hymn

‘Wind upon the Waters’  Common Praise #408

The Introductory Responses

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
And also with you.

There is one body and one Spirit,
there is one hope in God’s call to us;

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all.

The Hymn of Praise

‘Glory to God’  Common Praise #702

The Collect of the Day

Let us pray.

Living God,
you have created all that is.
Send forth your Spirit to renew and restore us,
that we may proclaim your good news
in ways and words that all will understand and believe.  Amen. [i]

The Proclamation of the Word

The First Reading

A reading from Genesis (11.1-9).

            Now the whole earth had one language and the same words.  And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there.  And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.”  And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.  Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”  The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built.  And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.  Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.”  So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.  Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

The Psalm

Psalm 104.24-34, 35b with Refrain from Songs for the Holy One

Refrain (sung twice)

O Lord, how manifold are your works! *
            In wisdom you have made them all;
            the earth is full of your creatures.
Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
         creatures both small and great.
There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
            which you have made for the sport of it.
All of them look to you *
         to give them their food in due season.

Refrain

You give it to them; they gather it; *
            you open your hand,
            and they are filled with good things.
You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
         you take away their breath,
         and they die and return to their dust.
You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
            and so you renew the face of the earth.
May your glory, O Lord, endure for ever; *
         may you rejoice in all these works;
you look at the earth and it trembles; *
         you touch the mountains and they smoke.

Refrain

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *
            I will praise my God while I have my being.
May these words of mine please you; *
         I will rejoice in the Lord.
         Bless the Lord, O my soul.  Hallelujah!

Refrain

The Second Reading

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (2.1-21)

            When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place.  And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

            Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem.  And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.  Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?  And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?  Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about Gods deeds of power.”  All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”  But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

            But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.  Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.  No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

            ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.  Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.  And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.  The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.  Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Thanks be to God.

The Gradual Hymn

‘Surely It Is God Who Saves Me’  Common Praise #361

The Gospel

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The holy gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (14.8-17).
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

            Philip said to [Jesus], “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me?  Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.  How can you say, Show us the Father?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?  The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.  Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.  Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.  I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.   If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.  If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.  This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”

The gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.


The Sermon

The Presentation and Examination of the Candidates

The candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.
 I present Yao Luo to receive the sacrament of baptism.

Yao, do you desire to be baptized?
I do.

Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
I renounce them.

Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
I renounce them.

Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
I renounce them.

Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Saviour?
I do.

Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
I do.

Do you promise to obey him as your Lord?
I do.

Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support Yao in her life of faith?
We will.

The Prayers of the Community

Prayers for the Candidate

Let us now pray for Yao who is to receive the sacrament of new birth.

Deliver her, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Open her heart to your grace and truth.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Fill her with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Teach her to love others in the power of the Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Send her into the world in witness to your love.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Bring her to the fullness of your peace and glory.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Grant, O Lord,
that all who are baptized
into the death of Jesus Christ your Son
may live in the power of his resurrection
and look for him to come again in glory;
who lives and reigns now and for ever.  Amen.

Thanksgiving at the Font

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and mighty,
you are the river of life, you are the everlasting wellspring,
you are the fire of rebirth.

Glory to you for oceans and lakes, for rivers and streams.
Honour to you for cloud and rain, for dew and snow.
Your waters are below us, around us, above us:  our life is born in you.
You are the fountain of resurrection.

Praise to you for your saving waters:
Noah and the animals survive the flood,
Hagar discovers your well.
The Israelites escape through the sea,
and they drink from your gushing rock.
Naaman washes his leprosy away,
and the Samaritan woman will never be thirsty again.

At this font, Holy God, we pray:
Praise to you for the water of baptism
and for your Word that saves us in this water.
Breathe your Spirit into all who are gathered here
and into all creation.
Illumine our days.  Enliven our bones.
Dry our tears.  Wash away the sin within us,
and drown the evil around us.

Satisfy all our thirst with your living water, Jesus Christ, our Saviour,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen. [ii]

The Baptismal Covenant

Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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 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.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in God 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.

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God’s help.

Will you persevere in resisting evil and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God’s help.

Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbour as yourself?
I will, with God’s help.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help.

The Baptism

Yao, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Yao, you are sealed with the Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever.  Amen.

Heavenly Father,
we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit
you have bestowed upon this your servant
the forgiveness of sin,
and have raised her to the new life of grace.
Sustain her, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit.
Give her an inquiring and discerning heart,
the courage to will and to persevere,
a spirit to know and to love you,
and the gift of joy and wonder
in all your works.  Amen.

The Giving of the Light

Receive the light of Christ,
to show that you have passed from darkness to light.
Let your light so shine before others
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven.

Let us welcome the newly baptized.
We receive you into the household of God.
Confess the faith of Christ crucified,
proclaim his resurrection,
and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

The Exchange of the Peace

The peace of the risen Christ be with you all.
And also with you.

The Holy Communion

Offertory Hymn                                

‘O Glorious Day’  Common Praise #253 (sung to #497)

Prayer over the Gifts

Let us pray.

Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth.
Day by day you shower us with blessings.
As you have raised us to new life in Christ,
give us glad and generous hearts,
ready to praise you and to respond to those in need,
through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.  Amen. [iii]

The Thanksgiving at the Table

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.

Blessed are you, gracious God,
creator of heaven and earth;
we give you thanks and praise
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In fulfillment of your promise
you pour forth your Spirit upon us,
filling us with gifts and leading us into all truth.
You give us power to proclaim your gospel to all nations
and to serve you as a royal priesthood.
Therefore we join our voices with angels and archangels,
and with all those in whom the Spirit dwells,
to proclaim the glory of your name. [iv]

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. [v]

Blessed are you, O God of the universe. 
Your mercy is everlasting
and your faithfulness endures from age to age.

Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth. 
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood. 
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea. 
Praise to you for leading your people
through the wilderness to the land of milk and honey. 
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one. 
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ. 
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.

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.

With this bread and cup
we remember our Lord’s Passover from death to life
as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died. 
Christ is risen. 
Christ will come again.

O God of resurrection and new life: 
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us
and on these gifts of bread and wine. 
Bless this feast. 
Grace our table with your presence.
Come, Holy Spirit.

Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. 
Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. 
Breathe new life into us. 
Send us forth, burning with justice, peace and love.
Come, Holy Spirit.

With the ever-blessed Virgin Mary,
blessed Joseph, blessed Faith
and your holy ones of all times and places,
with the earth and all its creatures,
with sun and moon and stars,
we praise you, O God,
blessed and holy Trinity,
now and forever.  Amen. [vi]

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, let us pray,
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 for ever.  Amen. [vii]

The Breaking of the Bread

Lord, we died with you on the cross.
Now we are raised to new life.
We were buried in your tomb.
Now we share in your resurrection.
Live in us, that we may live in you.

The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.

Communion

Hymn after Communion

‘Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song’  Common Praise #635

The Sending Forth of the Community

The Prayer after Communion

Life-giving God,
in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection
you send light to conquer darkness,
water to give new life,
and the bread of life to nourish your people.
Send us forth as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection,
that we may show your glory to all the world,
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.  Amen. [viii]

Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine. 
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever.  Amen.

Closing Hymn

‘Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow’  Common Praise #249

The Dismissal

Let us go forth in the name of Christ.  Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God.  Alleluia, alleluia!



[i] Scripture Prayer for Pentecost C in Revised Common Lectionary Prayers (2002), 127.

[ii] Thanksgiving at the Font II in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 71.

[iii] Offering Prayer for Easter in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 64.

[iv] Preface for Pentecost in The Book of Alternative Services (1985), 223.

[v] ‘You Are Holy’ in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), #525.

[vi] Thanksgiving at the Table IV in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 111.

[vii] Songs for a Gospel People #12 sung by the whole community without repeats.

[viii] Prayer after Communion for Easter in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 65.

No comments: