Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, January 12, 2025)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the First Sunday after the Epiphany. It also is the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, in which we recall that particular event in salvation history. It is one of the Sundays on which some churches traditionally administer the ordinance or sacrament of baptism or, if there are no candidates for baptism, the baptized renew their baptismal vows or are otherwise reminded of their own baptism. It is a Sunday on which the Apostles’ Creed, an early creed associated with baptism, may be recited or sung as a part of the celebration.

In this Sunday’s message we unpack four texts from the New Testament that have contributed to the Christian Church’s understanding of baptism.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Open this link in a new tab to hear Scott Williams’ arrangement of the traditional Irish melody SLANE for hammered dulcimer.

Open this link in a new tab to hear F. Bland Tucker’s “Christ, We for Us You Were Baptized.”

1 Christ, when for us you were baptized,
God's Spirit on you came,
as peaceful as a dove and yet
as urgent as flame.

2 God called you, "My beloved Son,"
called you his servant true,
sent you his kingdom to proclaim,
his holy will to do

3 Straightway and steadfast until death,
you then obeyed God's call,
freely as Son of God to serve
and give your life for all.

4 Baptize us with your Spirit, God,
your cross on us be signed,
that, likewise in God's service, we
may perfect freedom find.

Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his Kingdom, now and forever.

Open this link in a new tab to hear “Glory to God” from Marty Haugen’s Mass of Creation.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father,
Amen. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

Silence

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River
Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him
with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his
Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly
confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy
Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the Book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 43: 1-7

Israel, the Lord who created you says,

“Do not be afraid—I will save you.
I have called you by name—you are mine.
When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you;
your troubles will not overwhelm you.
When you pass through fire, you will not be burned;
the hard trials that come will not hurt you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the holy God of Israel, who saves you.
I will give up Egypt to set you free;
I will give up Ethiopia[a] and Seba.
I will give up whole nations to save your life,
because you are precious to me
and because I love you and give you honor.
Do not be afraid—I am with you!

“From the distant east and the farthest west
I will bring your people home.
I will tell the north to let them go
and the south not to hold them back.
Let my people return from distant lands,
from every part of the world.
They are my own people,
and I created them to bring me glory.”

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Nathan George’s “The Voice of the Lord Is Over the Waters” (Psalm 29).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fv_EKliSD4

1 The voice of the Lord is over the waters.
The God of glory thunders free!
The voice of the Lord is over the waters.
His voice is full of majesty!
Give to the Lord, in heavenly chorus.
Give to the Lord, all glory and strength!
Give to the Lord, the glory due his name.
Worship the Lord
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness,
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness.

2 The voice of the Lord will break down the cedars.
The God of glory thunders free!
The voice of the Lord will break down the cedars.
Before his voice the mighty flee!
Give to the Lord, in heavenly chorus.
Give to the Lord, all glory and strength!
Give to the Lord, the glory due his name.
Worship the Lord
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness,
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is flaming in fire.
The God of glory thunders free!
The voice of the Lord is shaking the forest.
Cry aloud in glory!
Give to the Lord, in heavenly chorus.
Give to the Lord, all glory and strength!
Give to the Lord, the glory due his name.
Worship the Lord
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness,
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 8: 14-17

The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had received the word of God, so they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Word of Truth and Life.”

1 Praise the God of all creation, God of mercy and compassion.
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

2 Tree of Life and endless wisdom, be our root, our growth and glory:
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

3 Living Water, we are thirsting for the Life that you have promised:
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

4 Come, O Spirit, kindle fire in the hearts of all your people:
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

5 Praise the God of all creation, God of mercy and compassion.
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Luke 3: 15-17, 21-22
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

People's hopes began to rise, and they began to wonder whether John perhaps might be the Messiah. So John said to all of them, “I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. He has his winnowing shovel with him, to thresh out all the grain and gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.”

After all the people had been baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Silence

Turning Point

A question those who are exploring the Christian faith and way of life as teenagers or adults frequently ask is “Why do Christians baptize new believers?”

While a few Christian denominations such as the Quakers and the Salvation Army do not practice water baptism, most do.

Those which do practice water baptism will not provide the same answer to this question. They will agree that a number of New Testament passages have influenced their thinking. Let’s take a look at four of these passages— Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16: 15-16, Luke 3:20-22 from today’s Gospel reading, and John 4:1-3, beginning with the passage from Matthew’s Gospel.

Jesus drew near and said to them, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”

In this passage the risen Jesus, before ascending into heaven, gives four commands to his disciples. One of these commands is that they baptize all the new disciples that they make. Jesus also commands them to teach new disciples everything which he has commanded them. This includes going to all peoples everywhere, making them his disciples, baptizing them, and instructing them to obey everything he taught.

The second passage, Mark 16:15-16 appears at first glance to make baptism a condition of salvation.

“He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Note, however, it does not say that those who are not baptized will not be saved, only those who do not believe. This has led some interpreters of this passage to conclude that, while baptism may be generally necessary to salvation, that it is necessary in most cases, it is not absolutely necessary. Jesus’ words to the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) is cited to support this view.

In an interview Sinclair Lewis offers this explanation of the third passage, the one from today’s Gospel reading. Jesus’ baptism was a turning point in salvation history: he was revealed as the Messiah. Jesus received a second anointing of the Holy Spirit at his baptism, a visible one. Jesus’ baptism was also a prophetic act which pointed to the other baptism that he would undergo, to his suffering and death on the cross for the sins of the world.

What else is worth noting is the voice from heaven acknowledging Jesus as God’s beloved Son in whom God is well-pleased. These words represent a divine endorsement of Jesus and his mission to bring about the reconciliation of God and humankind.

From the fourth passage, John 4:1-3, we learn that Jesus himself did not baptize anyone in water.

"The Pharisees heard that Jesus was winning and baptizing more disciples than John. (Actually, Jesus himself did not baptize anyone; only his disciples did.) So when Jesus heard what was being said, he left Judea and went back to Galilee."

As John the Baptist tells the people in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit, not water. In baptizing new disciples, Christians are not following an example that Jesus set. Christians baptize in obedience to Jesus’ command, following the example of the first disciples.

A lot more can be said about baptism, based other texts in the New Testament. Jesus’ baptism was a major turning point for Jesus in his life. When a teenager or adult is baptized upon professing faith in Jesus, it is also a major turning point in their life They are not only acknowledging publicly that they are responding to Jesus’ call to follow him, turning in repentance from sin and in faith to Jesus, but also committing themselves in the presence of witnesses to carrying out his ministry of reconciliation, choosing a life of obedience to God and service to God and humankind over what the world offers. This is something that someone who is considering taking the step of being baptized needs to fully understand. Baptism is one of those turning points which changes our lives forever.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Sylvia Dustan’s metrical paraphrase of the Apostles’ Creed.

1 I believe in God almighty, Author of all things that be,
Maker of the earth and heavens, Keeper of the sky and sea.
I believe in God’s Son, Jesus, now for us both Lord and Christ,
of the Spirit and of Mary born to bring abundant life.

2 I believe that Jesus suffered, scourged and scorned and crucified;
taken from the cross, was buried—true Life there had truly died.
I believe that on the third day Christ was raised up from the grave,
then ascended to God’s right hand. He will come to judge and save.

3 I believe in God’s own Spirit, bonding all the saints within
one church, catholic and holy, where forgiveness frees from sin;
in the body’s resurrection, for the breaking of death’s chain
gives the life that’s everlasting. This the faith that I have claimed.

THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.

Silence

For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who
are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the
needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For [N. our Presiding Bishop, and N. (N.) our Bishop(s); and
for] all bishops and other ministers;
For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns of this congregation.

Silence

Those present may add their own petitions

Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

Silence

Those present may add their own thanksgivings

We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in
your eternal kingdom.

Silence

Those present may add their own petitions

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.

Silence may be kept.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Merciful Lord, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Howard Helvey’s arrangement of Matthew Bridges’ “My God, Accept My Heart This Day.

1 My God, accept my heart this day,
and make it always thine,
that I from thee no more may stray,
no more from thee decline,
no more from thee decline.

2 Before the cross of him who died,
behold, I prostrate fall;
let every sin be crucified,
and Christ be all in all.

3 Anoint me with thy heavenly grace,
and seal me for thine own;
that I may see thy glorious face,
and worship near thy throne,
and worship near thy throne.

4 Let every thought and work and word
to thee be ever given:
Then life shall be thy service, Lord,
and death the gate of heaven.

5 All glory to the Father be,
all glory to the Son,
all glory, Holy Ghost, to thee,
while endless ages run,
while endless ages run.

THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD'S PEOPLE

[Let us pray in the words our Savior Christ has taught us.]

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,
for ever and ever. Amen.

May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from
whom every family in heaven and earth is named,
strengthen us with might by his Holy Spirit, that, Christ
dwelling in our hearts by faith, we may be filled with all the
fullness of God. Amen.

[The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.

All greet one another in the name of the Lord.]