The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
The Baptism of Lucy Marjorie Plunkett
January 29th, 2023

Opening Acclamation

Celebrant In the name of Christ who died and was raised by the glory of the Father we welcome you: grace, mercy and peace be with you all.
People And also with you.
Celebrant When the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead us into all truth.
People Loving Lord, fill us with your life-giving, joy-giving, peace-giving presence, that we may praise you now with our lips and all the day long with our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect for Purity
Celebrant & People

Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Processional
Come Thou Fount (Robert Robinson, John Wyeth)

Come, thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.

Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.


Song of Praise
Hallelujah (Psalm 148) (Flo Paris Oakes)

Hallelujah!
Moon and stars, morning sun, clouds and rain
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Orchard trees, cedars tall, forests green
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!
The fox and sparrow both the wild and the tame
They all sing, they all sing
Lift their voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!
Men and angels, queens and princes, little babe
We all sing, we all sing
Lift our voices to the King
Praise his name, his holy name

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!


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

Celebrant Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
People       Amen.

First Lesson Micah 6:1-8

Hear what the Lord says:
    Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
    and let the hills hear your voice.
Hear, you mountains, the case of the Lord,
    and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has a case against his people,
    and he will contend with Israel.

“O my people, what have I done to you?
    In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
    Aaron, and Miriam.
O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
    what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the saving acts of the Lord.”

“With what shall I come before the Lord
    and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
    with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
    with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
    the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, what is good,
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice and to love kindness
    and to walk humbly with your God?

Reader This is the word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.


Psalm 15

O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
    Who may dwell on your holy hill?

Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
    and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue
    and do no evil to their friends
    nor heap shame upon their neighbors;
in whose eyes the wicked are despised
    but who honor those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
who do not lend money at interest
    and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved.


Second Lesson 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of the proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews ask for signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. In contrast, God is why you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Reader This is the word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.


Gospel Acclamation
The Kingdom of God (Taizé)

The kingdom of God is justice and peace
And joy in the Holy Spirit
Come Lord, and open in us
The gates of your kingdom


The Gospel Reading Matthew 5:1-12

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

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

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


Gospel Acclamation
The Kingdom of God (Taizé)

The kingdom of God is justice and peace
And joy in the Holy Spirit
Come Lord, and open in us
The gates of your kingdom


Homily Rev. Danny Bryant

The Rite of Baptism

Celebrant Dearly beloved in Christ, the Sacrament of Baptism is offered because our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we are born again of water and the Holy Spirit. I ask you to call upon God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that in his great mercy he will grant new birth to those who come before him now, that she may be baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, and received into Christ’s holy Church and be made a living member thereof.

Let us pray:  Almighty and everlasting God, who in mercy saved Noah and his family in the Ark when the great flood came, who safely led the children of Israel through the Red Sea, and who by the Baptism in the river Jordan of your Son, Jesus Christ, sanctified water to the mystical washing away of sin; in your infinite mercy look on those who come before you now, wash and sanctify her by the Holy Spirit, so that she may be received into the Ark of Christ’s Church. Make her to be steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, so that passing through the waters of this troubled world, she may finally come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with you forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Presentation
Celebrant The Candidate for Holy Baptism will now be presented.

Family  I present Lucy Marjorie Plunkett to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.

Celebrant Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
Family  I will, with God’s help.

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

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

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

Celebrant Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your
Savior?
Family  I do.

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

Celebrant Do you promise to follow and obey him as your
Lord?
Family  I do.

Celebrant Will you who witness these vows do all in your
power to support Lucy in her life in Christ?
People We will.

Celebrant Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.


The Baptismal Covenant

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Father?

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

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

People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People 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.

Celebrant Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the
prayers?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?

People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you strive for justice and peace among all
people, and respect the dignity of every human
being?

People I will, with God’s help.


Prayers for the Candidate

Celebrant Let us pray for Lucy, who will receive the Sacrament of new birth.  

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

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

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

Leader  Keep her in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People Lord, hear our prayer.

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

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

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

Leader  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 forever. 

People Amen.


Thanksgiving over the Water

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

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever.

People Amen.


The Rite of Holy Baptism

Celebrant Lucy Marjorie Plunkett, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People Amen.

Celebrant Let us pray. 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.
People Amen.

Celebrant Lucy, you are you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever.
People Amen.

Celebrant Let us welcome the newly baptized.
People 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 Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People   And also with you.


Song of Preparation
Go Get the Lost One (Katy Bowser)

Say you had a hundred sheep
and one little lamb got lost
in the dark, in the cold, far away from the fold
What would you do?
What would you do?

You’d say go get the lost one
And leave the ninety-nine
That little lamb is lost
And that little lamb is mine
Bring it home on your shoulders
And call up all your friends

Rejoice with me, I’ve got my little lamb again.
Rejoice with me, I’ve got my little lamb again.

Say you had ten silver coins
And one silver coin got lost
Your treasure, your wealth
In the cracks, in the filth
What would you do?
What would you do?

You’d say go get the lost one
Turn the house upside down
That silver coin was lost
And that silver coin is found
Light the lamp, sweep the ground
Then call up all your friends
Rejoice with me, I’ve got my silver coin again.
Rejoice with me, I’ve got my silver coin again.

If God had a child
Who wandered far astray
Who was sad, broken hearted, whose guilt kept him away
What would he do?
What would he do?

He’d say, go get the lost one
He’s who I came to see.
He thought he was an orphan
But he’s coming home with me.
The angels are rejoicing.
The sinner is my friend.
Rejoice with me, my child is coming home again.
The angels are rejoicing.
The sinner is my friend.
Rejoice with me, my child is coming home again.



Presentation Hymn
Doxology

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


About Communion

This table belongs to Jesus. If you belong to him, we invite you to join us for Communion, whether or not you attend St. Mary’s or identify with any specific tradition. Once you have received the elements, please make your way back to your seat and wait to partake until we can do so together.

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.


The Great Thanksgiving

Celebrant Is the Father with us?
People He is.
Celebrant Is Christ among us?
People Christ is.
Celebrant Is the Spirit here?
People The Spirit is.
Celebrant This is our God.
People Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Celebrant We are his people.
People We are redeemed.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Celebrant It is right and our delight to give you thanks and praise, great Father, living God, supreme over the world, Creator, Provider, Savior and Giver, from a wandering nomad you created your family; for a burdened people you raised up a leader; for a confused nation you chose a king; for a rebellious crowd you sent your prophets. In these last days you have sent us your Son, your perfect image, bringing your kingdom, revealing your will, dying, rising, reigning, remaking your people for yourself. Through him you have poured out your Holy Spirit, filling us with light and life. And now we give you thanks because in the Incarnation of the Eternal Word, a new light was dawned upon the world, and those who sat in darkness and under the shadow of death have seen the light. Therefore with angels, archangels, faithful ancestors and all in heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, forever praising you and saying:

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.

Almighty God, owner of all things, we thank you for giving us your only son to die on the cross for us who owe you everything. Pour your refreshing Spirit on us as we remember him in the way he commanded, through these gifts of your creation. On the same night that he was betrayed he took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Amen. His body was broken for us.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying, "Drink this all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Amen. His blood was shed for us.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

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

We are brothers and sisters through his blood.

We have died together, we will rise together, we will live together.

Therefore, heavenly Father, hear us as we celebrate this covenant with joy, and await the coming of our Brother, Jesus Christ. He died in our place, making a full atonement for the sins of the world, the perfect sacrifice, once and for all. You accepted his offering by raising him from death, and granting him great honor at your right hand on high.

Amen. Jesus is Lord.

This is the feast of victory.

The Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Hallelujah.

Christ is alive forever.

We are because He is.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say:

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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant We are one body.
People We share one bread.
Celebrant Draw near with faith.
People Christ is the host and we are his guests.


The Invitation
Celebrant These are the Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.


Communion Music
Instrumental


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


Prayer After Communion
Celebrant Let us pray.

Celebrant and People Our Father, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. May we who share Christ's body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free. Amen.


The Blessing

Celebrant Christ our King make you faithful and strong to do his will, that you may reign with him in glory; and the blessing of God Almighty; + Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; be among you and remain with you always.
People Amen.


The Recessional
Be Thou My Vision

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 Dismissal

Celebrant Go forth rejoicing in the light of Christ.
People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.