January 9th 2022 The Baptism of Christ
A loop system is fitted in St. Mary’s Barnard Castle: please switch to ‘T’ At communion we can provide a gluten free wafer if you prefer: please inform one of the sidespeople Large Print pew sheets, service orders and hymns are available from the sidesmen/women Wheelchairs, scooters and buggies can easily be brought into Barnard Castle church Refreshments are free and are served after most services At Barnard Castle there is an accessible toilet/baby change facility in the porch You and your children are welcome here: should you need them there are children’s ‘action packs’ available in church. St. Margaret’s chapel on the left of the church in Barnard Castle is a useful ‘bolt hole’ if your baby wants to shout! We do not take a collection during services: plates for your gifts are at the back of church Today we use communion prayer E on page 30
The Collect Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit: grant to us, who are born again by water and the Spirit, that we may be faithful to our calling as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
First Reading
Acts 8.14-17
When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 14
This is the word of the Lord: Thanks be to God
Psalm 29 (said)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ascribe to the Lord, you powers of heaven, ♦ ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; ♦ worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; ♦ the Lord is upon the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is mighty in operation; ♦ the voice of the Lord is a glorious voice. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; ♦ the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon; He makes Lebanon skip like a calf ♦ and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord splits the flash of lightning; the voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; ♦ the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare; ♦ in his temple all cry, ‘Glory!’ The Lord sits enthroned above the water flood; ♦ the Lord sits enthroned as king for evermore. The Lord shall give strength to his people; ♦ the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.
Gospel acclamation Alleluia, alleluia. Christ was revealed in flesh, proclaimed among the nations and believed in throughout the world. (sung) Alleluia.
Gospel Reading Luke 3.15-17,21-22 Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke All: Glory to you O Lordor at 8.30am
Glory be to thee O Lord
(In the wilderness John proclaimed a baptism of repentance.) 15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing-fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.’ Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ 21
After the Gospel All
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Or Praise be to thee O Christ.
Thanksgiving for Holy Baptism Water is poured out with these words God in Christ gives us water welling up for eternal life. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Lord, give us this water and we shall thirst no more. The president stands before the water and says
Father, we give you thanks and praise for your gift of water in creation; for your Spirit, sweeping over the waters, bringing light and life; for your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, baptized in the river Jordan. We bless you for your new creation, brought to birth by water and the Spirit, and for your grace bestowed upon us your children, washing away our sins. May your holy and life-giving Spirit move upon these waters. Restore through them the beauty of your creation, and bring those who are baptized to new birth in the family of your Church. Drown sin in the waters of judgement, anoint your children with power from on high, and make them one with Christ in the freedom of your kingdom. For all might, majesty, dominion and power are yours, now and for ever. Alleluia. Amen. All
I saw water flowing from the threshold of the temple. Wherever the river flows everything will spring to life. Alleluia.
All
On the banks of the river grow trees bearing every kind of fruit. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail.
All
Their fruit will serve for food, their leaves for the healing of the nations. For the river of the water of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
We say together Almighty God, in our baptism you have consecrated us to be temples of your Holy Spirit. May we, whom you have counted worthy, nurture your indwelling Spirit with a lively faith, and worship you with upright lives; through Jesus Christ. Amen. ‘Come,’ say the Spirit and the Bride. ‘Come, you who are thirsty, receive the water of life, the free gift to all who desire it.’ May almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The people are splashed with water as a reminder of their baptism.
We remember in our prayers Those preparing for Baptism: George & Seth Bainbridge, Isla, Mason and Jenson Parry, Chester Humble, Max & Willow Lyle Those who are unwell: Pat Wise, Margaret Miles, Margaret Sparrow Those who have died: David Walker, Joe Tallentire, Jean Wilkinson, Pat Long, Amy Purvis Those whose year’s mind falls at this time: Kathleen Worley,
Post communion Lord of all time and eternity, you opened the heavens and revealed yourself as Father in the baptism of Jesus your beloved Son: by the power of your Spirit complete the heavenly work of our rebirth through the waters of the new creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Notices Sunday 9th This afternoon Tuesday 11th Wednesday 12th Thursday 13th Sunday 16th
3.00pm 11.00am 1.00pm 9.00am 10.00am 11.30am 8.30am 10.30am
Baptism of Christ The Blessing of waters and thanksgiving for the River Tees Funeral of Mrs Pat Long at Barnard Castle Smuffies (Under 5s) in the Parish Hall Morning prayer on Zoom Midweek worship at Barnard Castle Funeral of Mr Joe Tallentire at Barnard Castle The Second Sunday of Epiphany Holy Communion at Barnard Castle Holy Communion with baptism at Barnard Castle
Coming up on Zoom…in the ‘Upper Zoom’ Wednesday evenings (7.00pm) from January 19th Living Stones, Living Hope - a 5 week study course prepared by USPG Contact the clergy for the Zoom code
Registered Charity Number: 1130279 Website
CCLI Licence: 987452 www.stmarysbarnardcastle.org.uk