Community Gathers; Welcome & Land Acknowledgment

Opening Hymn: #162 Sing of God made Manifest
Sing of God made manifest
in a child robust and blest,
to whose home in Bethlehem
where a star had guided them
magi came and gifts unbound,
signs mysterious and profound:
myrrh and frankincense and gold
grave and God and king foretold.

Sing of God made manifest
when at Jordan John confessed,
"I should be baptized by you,
but your bidding I will do."
Then from heaven a double sign--
dove-like Spirit, voice divine--
hailed the true Anointed One:
"This is my beloved Son."

Sing of God made manifest
when Christ came as wedding-guest
and at Cana gave a sign,
turning water into wine;
further still was love revealed
as he taught, forgave, and healed,
bringing light and life to all
who would listen to God's call.

Sing of God made manifest
on the cloud-capped mountain's crest,
where the Law and Prophets waned
so that Christ alone remained:
glimpse of glory, pledge of grace,
given as Jesus set his face
towards the waiting cross and grave,
sign of hope that God would save.

Officiant Opening Prayer: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” ~Psalm 139
Holy Spirit, gift of God, bestower of our baptism, blow through our lives, refresh us, enliven us, and empower us to do your will in the world. Make each of us more aware of your Spirit’s leadings. Give each of us the boldness we need to follow your Spirit, to live out our baptism by daily dying and rising to new life in Christ. Amen.

Venite: 1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord : let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. 2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving : and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms. 3 For the Lord is a great God : and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are all the corners of the earth : and the strength of the hills is his also. 5 The sea is his, and he made it : and his hands prepared the dry land. 6 O come, let us worship, and fall down : and kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For he is the Lord our God : and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.*Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen.*

Confession
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Most merciful God,we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1st Lesson: Gen 1:1-5

Psalm: 29 Refrain- “The Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.”

2nd Lesson: Acts 19:1-7

Gospel Hymn: #45 Down Galilee’s Slow Roadway
Down Galilee’s slow roadways a stranger traveled on
from Nazareth to Jordan to be baptized by John.
He went down to the waters like soldier, scribe and slave,
but there within the river was sign of birth and grave.

Arising from the river, he saw the heaven’s torn;
It seemed the sky, so open, revealed the Spirit’s form.
The holy dove descended amid a glorious voice:
“You are my own beloved – my Child, my heart, my choice.”

We too have found a roadway; it led us to this place.
We all have had to travel in search of hope and grace.
But now beside this water again a voice is heard:
“You are my own, my chosen, beloved of your Lord.”

The Gospel: Mark 1: 4-11

Reflection:

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first and the great commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. This is no commandment greater than these.

Prayers of People

The Lord’s Prayer

Collect: Eternal Father, who at the baptism of Jesus revealed him to be your Son, anointing him with the Holy Spirit, keep your children, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to their calling; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Blessing

Closing Hymn: #355 All Creatures of our God and King. V 1-4, 7
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voices, let us sing
   alleluia! alleluia!
Bright burning sun and golden beam,
pale silver moon that gently gleams,
   alleluia! alleluia!

Great rushing winds and breezes soft,
you clouds that ride the heavens aloftr,
   O sing now, alleluia!
Fair rising morn, with praise rejoice,
Stars nightly shining, find a voice!
O praise Him, O praise Him!
   alleluia! alleluia!

Swift flowing water pure and clear
make music for thy Lord to hear
   alleluia! alleluia!
Fire so intense and fiercely bright
You give to us both warmth and light
   alleluia! alleluia!

Earth ever fertile, day by day
unfold your blessings on our way,
   O sing now, alleluia!
All flowers and fruits that in you grow,
God's glory let them also show:
   alleluia! alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless
and worship God in humbleness,
   alleluia! alleluia!
Praise God the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
   alleluia! alleluia!

Dismissal

Gila’kasla and may God bless you and your families in 2021. Thank-you for your continued prayers and support of our parish ministry here at St. John’s. If you’d like to give financially please contact the office at 250-334-4331 or visit https://www.sjtdcourtenay.ca and click on the “Donate” tab.