The Baptism of Edmund Phillips Kruse
January 7th, 2024

The Gathering of the People
In the name of God: Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life.
Amen.

Grace to you and peace from God our Creator, the love at our beginning and without end, in our midst and with us.
God is with us, here we find new life.

Let us give thanks for the coming of God’s reign of justice and love.
Jesus Christ is good news for the poor,
release for the captives,
recovery of sight for the blind
and liberty for those who are oppressed.


Processional
Patient Kingdom (Gareth Davies-Jones, Sandra McCracken, Sarah Masen)

Let my soul rise up to meet you
As the day rises to the sun
Let my soul rise up to meet you
Let that patient kingdom come

When's the last time you felt steady in the chaos?
Hear the sound when the seed falls to earth
Is it time to give up your destination?
Slow me down, let love do its work

Let my soul rise up to meet you
As the day rises to the sun
Let my soul rise up to meet you
Let that patient kingdom come

As the trees and hummingbirds lead the chorus
They work so hard, and their center so still
Is it time for a change in direction?
Slow me down where I bend to your will

Let my soul rise up to meet you
As the day rises to the sun
Let my soul rise up to meet you
Let that patient kingdom come

Slow me down
Slow me down let love do its work

Let my soul rise up to meet you
As the day rises to the sun
Let my soul rise up to meet you
Let that patient kingdom come


Song of Praise
Be Thou My Vision (Anonymous)

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son,
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one

Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise;
Thou mine inheritance now and always;
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.


The Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

God of glory, immerse us in your grace, mark us with your image, and raise us to live our baptismal promises, so that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we may follow the example of Christ your beloved in whose name we pray. Amen.


First Lesson Genesis 1:1-5

When God began to create the heavens and the earth— the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters— God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. God named the light Day and the darkness Night.

There was evening and there was morning: the first day.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.


Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly *beings,
Ascribe to the Lord glory and *strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his *name;
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his *holiness.

The voice of the Lord is over the *waters;
The God of glory *thunders,
The Lord thunders over the mighty *waters.
The voice of the Lord is *powerful;
The voice of the Lord is ma*jestic.

The voice of the Lord breaks the *cedars;
The Lord breaks to pieces the cedars of *Lebanon.
He makes Lebanon leap like a *calf,
Sirion like a young wild *ox.

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of *lightning.
The voice of the Lord shakes the *desert;
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forest *bare.
And in his temple all cry, *“Glory!

The Lord sits enthroned over the *flood;
The Lord is enthroned as King for*ever.
The Lord gives strength to his *people;
The Lord blesses his people with *peace.

Glory be to the Father and to the *Son,
And to the Holy *Spirit,
As it was in the be*ginning,
Is now and ever shall be, A*men.


Second Lesson          Acts 19:1-7

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?”

They replied, “We’ve not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

Then he said, “What baptism did you receive, then?”

They answered, “John’s baptism.”

Paul explained, “John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus.” After they listened to Paul, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in other languages and prophesying. Altogether, there were about twelve people.

This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God


Gospel Acclamation
Come to the Water (John Foley)
Instrumental


The Gospel Reading Mark 1:4-11

+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Mark.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.


Gospel Acclamation
Come to the Water (John Foley)
Instrumental


Homily Rev. Danny Bryant


God’s Call
Dear friends in Christ, God is love, God gives us life. We love because God first loves us. In baptism God declares that love; in Christ God calls us to respond.


The Presentation for Baptism
The family says: We present Edmund to be baptized and made a member of the Body of Christ, the Church.

From the beginning the Church has received believers by baptism. Believers’ children have also been baptized so that with help and encouragement they should grow up in Christ and by the grace of God serve Christ all the days of their life.

On the day when the apostles first preached the Gospel of Christ’s resurrection, Peter urged his hearers

‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus the Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God may call.’

Lauren and Derek, how do you respond to this promise?
We hear God’s call and ask for baptism.

Do you renounce all evil influences and powers that rebel against God?
We renounce all evil.

Do you trust in Christ’s victory which brings forgiveness, freedom and life?
In faith we turn to Christ, our way, our truth, our life, as we care for this child.

The People respond: May God keep you in the way you have chosen.


The Baptism
Praise God who made heaven and earth,
whose promise endures forever.

We thank you God for your love in all creation,
especially for your gift of water
to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.

We thank you for your covenant
with your people Israel;
through the Red Sea waters
you led them to freedom in the promised land.
In the waters of the Jordan
your Son was baptized by John
and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Through the deep waters of death
Jesus fulfilled his baptism.
He died to set us free
and was raised to be exalted Lord of all.
It is Christ who baptizes with the Holy Spirit
and with fire.

Amen. Come Holy Spirit.

We thank you that through the waters of baptism
you cleanse us,
renew us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life. In the new covenant
we are made members of your Church
and share in your eternal kingdom.

Through your Holy Spirit,
fulfill once more your promises
in this water of rebirth,
set apart in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor,
power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!

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

Amen. God receives you by baptism into the Church. Child of God, blessed in the Spirit, welcome to the family of Christ.

We sign you with the cross, the sign of Christ.

Walk in the faith of Christ crucified and risen. Shine with the light of Christ.


The Affirmation
Praise to God who has given us life.
Blessed be God for the gift of love.

Praise to God who forgives our sin.
Blessed be God who sets us free.

Praise to God who kindles our faith.
Blessed be God, our strength, our hope.

Let us, the baptized, affirm that we renounce evil and commit our lives to Christ.
Blessed be God, Jesus is Lord!


The Apostles’ Creed

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

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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.


The Prayers of the People
Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear when we pray in the name of your Son. Therefore in confidence and trust we pray for the Church: Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.

Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.

We pray for the world. Creator of all, lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.

Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.

We pray for the community. God of truth, inspire with your wisdom those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.

Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

We pray for those in need. God of hope, comfort and restore all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.

Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.

We remember those who have died and those who mourn. We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.

Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.

We praise you for all your saints who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.

We pray for ourselves and our community:
            You may add your own prayers, silently or aloud.

Your word is a lamp for our feet.
In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Father, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.   
Amen.


The Peace
The peace of God be with you all.
In God’s justice is our peace.

The Order of Bethany

VOW OF SOLIDARITY 

Do you take the vow of solidarity for this year in the Order of Bethany? Do you commit to living a life of prayerful and engaging attention to the needs for just mercy in and around you in your neighborhoods and cities? Do you commit to praying daily for the needs of the church and the world?

We do, with God’s help. 

Let us pray. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, make us, with your host Simon the Leper, homes for your kingship to be embodied and proclaimed to all we meet who are suffering, bereaved, and lonely. Give us awareness and sensitivity to where your Spirit is calling us to live in solidarity with our neighbors, friends, and enemies.

In your mercy, hear our prayer. 

VOW OF HOSPITALITY 

Do you take the vow of hospitality for this year in the Order of Bethany? Do you commit to living a life of hospitality for the flourishing of Saint Mary of Bethany Parish by coming to worship attentive to helping prepare holy space for all ages in our community to experience the mercy and grace of God at his table? And do you commit to praying daily for those who will visit St. Mary’s? 

We do, with God’s help. 

Let us pray. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fill us with the spirit of hospitality so that with your friend Martha we may enjoy making space for others to enter into your healing presence. Give us attentive eyes, ears, feet, and hands for serving our brothers and sisters in this local expression of your family. 

In your mercy, hear our prayer. 

VOW OF FIDELITY 

Do you take the vow of fidelity for this year in the Order of Bethany? Will you commit to a posture of living life at the feet of Christ remaining open to his friendship and lordship? Will you spend daily time in prayerful communion with him for the sake of him, yourself, and the world? 

We will, with God’s help.

Let us pray. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fill us with the spirit of fidelity so that with your adoring and listening friend Mary we may delight in your faithful presence. Soften and enlighten our imaginations, desires, and wills so that we might with patience and alertness receive your caring love. 

In your mercy, hear our prayer. 

VOW OF LEVITY 

Do you take the vow of levity for this year in the Order of Bethany? Will you commit to participating in all of these vows with a posture of levity, always waiting and trusting in the resurrection life of Jesus to enter into each situation and circumstance? Will you remember to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously while taking serious God’s commitment to finish the work he has begun in you? 

We will, with God’s help. 

Let us pray. Father, Son, and Spirit, Holy Trinity, Lord of Joy, fill us with a playful and patient spirit of levity so that with your resurrected friend Lazarus we may experience the slow and joyful work of new creation in all of our lives, by your grace and for your goodness to be made known. 

In your mercy, hear our prayer. 


Song of Preparation
Your Labor is Not in Vain (The Porter’s Gate)

Your labor is not in vain
Though the ground underneath you is cursed and stained
Your planting and reaping are never the same
But your labor is not in vain.

For I am with you, I am with you.
I am with you, I am with you
For I have called you, called you by name
Your labor is not in vain.

Your labor is not unknown
though the rocks they cry out and the sea it may groan.
The place of your toil may not seem like a home
but your labor is not unknown

For I am with you, I am with you.
I am with you, I am with you
For I have called you, called you by name
Your labor is not in vain.

The vineyards you plant will bear fruit
The fields will sing out and rejoice with the truth,
For all that is old will at last be made new:
The vineyards you plant will bear fruit.

For I am with you, I am with you.
I am with you, I am with you
For I have called you, called you by name
Your labor is not in vain.

The houses you labored to build
Will finally with laughter and joy be filled.
The serpent that hurts and destroys shall be killed
And all that is broken be healed.

For I am with you, I am with you.
I am with you, I am with you
For I have called you, called you by name
Your labor is not in vain.


Presentation Hymn
Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen


About Communion

On the night Jesus washed his disciples feet and promised to overcome the troubles of this world, he gave his friends a meal to remember their belonging to him and to one another. Friends of Jesus have continued to celebrate this communion meal since that night, and this table is open to all who desire the belonging and peace of Jesus.

Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available if you have those health needs. An usher will invite you to approach the kneelers to receive the meal. If for any reason you’re not prepared to join us, you’re welcome to remain in your seat. If coming to the front is physically difficult for you, please let an usher know and the elements will be brought to you. If you’d like to come up and simply receive a blessing, you can put your arms across your chest and a prayer of peace will be prayed over you.

Celebrating at the Lord’s Table

God of all creation, you bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. By your Holy Spirit this bread and wine will be for us the body and blood of Christ.
All you have made is good. Your love endures for ever.


The Great Thanksgiving
The Spirit of God be with you.
And also with you.

Lift your hearts to heaven
where Christ in glory reigns.

Let us give thanks to God.
It is right to offer thanks and praise.

It is right indeed to give you thanks most loving God, through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, the first born from the dead, the pioneer of our salvation, who is with us always, one of us, yet from the heart of God. For with your whole created universe, we praise you for your unfailing gift of life. We thank you that you make us human and stay with us even when we turn from you to sin.

God’s love is shown to us:
while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.

In that love, dear God, righteous and strong to save, you came among us in Jesus Christ, our crucified and living Lord. You make all things new. In Christ’s suffering and cross you reveal your glory and reconcile all peoples to yourself, their true and living God.

In Christ you fully shared our life. Light of the world, joy of every human heart, Jesus accepted our estranged and broken state and gave us back our life, our world — renewed, whole, healed — your gift!

In your mercy you are now our God. Through Christ you gather us, new-born in your Spirit, a people after your own heart. We entrust ourselves to you, for you alone do justice to all people, living and departed.

Now is the acceptable time,
now is the day of salvation.

Therefore with saints and martyrs, apostles and prophets, with all the redeemed, joyfully we praise you and say:

Holy, holy, holy:
God of mercy, giver of life;
earth and sea and sky
and all that lives,
declare your presence and your glory.

All glory to you, Giver of life sufficient and full for all creation. Accept our praises, living God, for Jesus Christ, the one perfect offering for the world, who in the night that he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you; do this to remember me.

After supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you, and for many, to forgive sin. Do this as often as you drink it to remember me.

Therefore, God of all creation, in the suffering and death of Jesus our redeemer, we meet you in your glory. We lift up the cup of salvation and call upon your name. Here and now, with this bread and wine, we celebrate your great acts of liberation, ever present and living in Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, who was and is and is to come.

Amen! Come Lord Jesus.

May Christ ascended in majesty be our new and living way, our access to you, Father, and source of all new life. In Christ we offer ourselves to do your will. Empower our celebration with your Holy Spirit, feed us with your life, fire us with your love, confront us with your justice, and make us one in the body of Christ with all who share your gifts of love.

Through Christ,
in the power of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you
in earth and heaven,
we worship you, Creator God. Amen.

As Christ teaches us we pray,

The Lord’s Prayer
As Christ teaches us, we pray:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 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.

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.

The Breaking of the Bread
The bread we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
We who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread.

The cup of blessing for which we give thanks is a sharing in the blood of Christ.

The Invitation
Bread and wine; the gifts of God for the people of God.
May we who share these gifts be found in Christ and Christ in us.


Communion Music
Come to the Water (John Foley)

Oh let all who thirst, Let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing, Let them come to the Lord:
Without money, without price,
Why should you pay the price,
Except for the Lord?

And let all who seek, Let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing, Let them come to the Lord:
Without money, without strife.
Why should you spend your life,
Except for the Lord?

And let all who toil, Let them come to the water.
And let all who are weary, Let them come to the Lord:
All who labor, without rest.
How can your soul find rest,
Except for the Lord?

And let all the poor, Let them come to the water.
Bring the ones who are laden, Bring them all to the Lord:
Bring the children without might.
Easy the load and light:
Come to the Lord!

As the Wind Song (Shirley Erena Murray, Swee Hong Lim)

As the wind song through the trees,
as the stirring of the breeze,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the heart made strangely warm,
as the voice within the storm,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

Never seen, ever known
where this wind has blown
bringing life, bringing power to the world,
as the dancing tongues of fire,
as the soul’s most deep desire,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

As the rainbow after rain,
as the hope that’s born again,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the green in the spring,
as a kite on a string,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

Making worlds that are new,
making peace come true,
bringing gifts, bringing love to the world,
as the rising of the yeast,
as the wine at the feast,
so it is with the Spirit of God.


The Great Silence
When all have received communion, ministers and people keep silence for reflection.


Prayer After Communion
Most loving God, creator and redeemer, we give you thanks for this foretaste of your glory.

Through Christ, and with all your saints, we offer ourselves and our lives to your service. Send us out in the power of your Spirit, to stand with you in your world. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the servant, our friend and brother. Amen.


The Blessing
May Christ’s bright star enlighten your mind and heart as you strive for equality, justice and kindness in the world, and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you forever. Amen.


The Recessional
We Abide, We Abide in You (Liz Vice, Isaac Wardell, Madison Cunningham, Orlando Palmer)

We are the vineyard you have planted
Tend our leaves and wild branches:
We abide, we abide in you.
We abide, we abide in you.

Fruit growing from our strength and labor,
Rain on us with grace and favor:
We abide, we abide in you.
We abide, we abide in you.

Where can my soul find living water?
Apart from ou we bear no fruit!
O plant my feet down by the river:
We abide, we abide in you.

We are the vineyard you have planted
Tend our leaves and wild branches:
We abide, we abide in you.
We abide, we abide in you.

Where can my soul find living water?
Apart from ou we bear no fruit!
O plant my feet down by the river:
We abide, we abide in you.

We abide, we abide in you.
We abide, we abide in you.


The Dismissal
Grace be with you.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.