Grace Lutheran Church
Proclaiming the grace of Christ in Word and Sacrament
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
✠ January 11th, 2026 ✠
3410 Community Church Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
January 11th, 2026
Our service begins with the ringing of bells. Please stand, as you are able, as indicated by *
- Entrance Hymn: “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” LBW #90
- Confession & Forgiveness
P: In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit
C: Amen. Matthew 28:19
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets
are hid: 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 Jesus Christ, our
Lord:
C: Amen
P: Beloved in the Lord: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in
us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: Most merciful God,
C: We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. 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. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.
Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in
your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
On the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, it is customary to be sprinkled with baptismal water in
remembrance of our own Baptism.
P: “You shall sprinkle me, O Lord, with hyssop, and I shall be clean; You shall wash me, and I
shall be whiter than snow. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all
your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new
heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.” Psalm 51:1; Ezekiel 36:25-26
P: Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, and for His
sake, He forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ,
and by His authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
C: Amen John 20:22
- Introit
P: You love righteousness | and hate wickedness,*
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than | Your companions.
My heart is overflowing with | a good theme,*
I recite my composition concerning the King,
My tongue is the pen of a | ready writer
C: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the | Holy Spirit, *
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore- | ver, Amen
P: You love righteousness | and hate wickedness,*
Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You
With the oil of gladness more than | Your companions. Psalm 45
*Kyrie (chanted)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy Mark 10:47
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well being of the church of God, and
for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us
pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
*Hymn of Praise
P: Glory to God in the Highest, and peace to His people on earth! Luke 2:14
C: Lord God, heavenly king, Almighty God and Father:
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory,
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. John 1:29
You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer.
For you alone are the holy one, you alone are the Lord, Hebrews 1:3-4
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
In the glory of God the Father, Amen.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you. Ruth 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:22
P: Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan You proclaimed Him Your
beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized into Christ
faithful in their calling to be Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life;
through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever,
C: Amen Matthew 3:13-17
After the Prayer of the Day, you may be seated.
The First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have
put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry
aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not
break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth
justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in
the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. 5 Thus says God, the Lord, who
created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what
comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in
it: 6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand
and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7
to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from
the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I
give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9 Behold, the former things have
come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of
them.”
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Psalm 29
1 Ascribe to the | Lord, you gods,*
ascribe to the Lord glo- | ry and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory | due his Name;*
worship the Lord in the beau- | ty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders;*
the Lord is upon the | mighty waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is a pow- | erful voice;*
the voice of the Lord is a | voice of splendor.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the | cedar trees;*
the Lord breaks the ce- | dars of Lebanon;
6 He makes Lebanon skip | like a calf,*
and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord splits the flames of fire;
the voice of the Lord | shakes the wilderness;*
the Lord shakes the wilder- | ness of Kadesh.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the | oak trees writhe*
and strips the | forests bare.
9 And in the temple | of the Lord*
all are | crying, “Glory!”
10 The Lord sits enthroned a- | bove the flood;*
the Lord sits enthroned as King for- | evermore.
11 The Lord shall give strength | to his people;*
the Lord shall give his people the bless- | ing of peace.
All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the / Holy Spirit,*
…….As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore-/ver, Amen
The Second Reading: Romans 6:1-11
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no
means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us
who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were
buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was
raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of
life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be
united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified
with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would
no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We
know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer
has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the
life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and
alive to God in Christ Jesus.
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Please stand as you are able for the Holy Gospel
*Gospel Acclamation
All: Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia John 6:68
- Gospel Hymn: “God Whose Almighty Word” (verses 1-2) LBW #400
During the feast days, the Holy Gospel is brought to the center aisle. The Gospel hymn will be divided
before and after the Holy Gospel.
A: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew
C: Glory to you, O Lord. - The Holy Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17
13 Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John
would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come
to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to
fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized,
immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to
him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him;
17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am
well pleased.”
A: This is the Gospel of our Lord
C: Praise to You, O Christ
- Gospel Hymn: “God Whose Almighty Word” (verses 3-4) LBW #400
You may be seated
Children’s Message
The Sermon Rev. Matt Knuppel
After the sermon, please stand for the Votum, the Post-Sermon benediction
*The Votum
P: May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus
C: Amen Philippians 4:7 - Hymn: “Baptized in Water” WOV #693
- The Apostles Creed Romans 10:9-10
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth,
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 into hell.
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.
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.
- Prayers of the Church:
A: Lord, in your mercy
C: Hear our prayer
After the Prayers:
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your abundant
mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
C: Amen
*The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you. John 20:19
Members of the gathered assembly are invited to greet one another, saying: “Peace be with you.”
Offertory
After the gifts have been collected from the assembly, please stand.
All: Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather the harvest from the seeds that were sown,
That we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all,
Unite them with our prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
And give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
*Holy Communion Liturgy
P: Let us pray: Merciful Father…
C: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – ourselves, our
time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of
him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
- The Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you
C: And also with you
P: Lift up your hearts
C: We lift them to the Lord
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise
P: It is indeed right and salutary…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
Lord God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Isaiah 6:3
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9
P: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father…For as often as we eat of this bread and drink
from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. Matthew 26:26-28
C: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
P: Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup, we remember the life our Lord
offered for us. And believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to
share with us the great and promised feast. Revelation 19:9
C: Amen. Come, Lord, Jesus.
P: Send now, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection, that
we who receive the Lord’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive
our inheritance with all your saints in light. Colossians 1:19
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them
with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
Hebrews 4:14
- Doxology
P: Through Him, with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and
glory is Yours, Almighty Father, now and forever,
C: Amen. John 14:6
- The Lord’s Prayer
C: 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, forever and ever. Amen.
Agnus Dei
C: Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world
Grant us peace, grant us peace. John 1:29
All who are baptized and share in our confession that we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in
Holy Communion are invited to the altar with us. After receiving the bread, those who wish to dip the
bread into the wine may proceed to the right chalice; those who wish to drink from the common cup may
proceed to the left chalice.
Anyone is welcome to come forward with their arms folded to receive a blessing from the minister.
After the celebration of Holy Communion, the minister will ask the assembly to stand
P: May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his
grace.
C: Amen
*Post-Communion Canticle
C: Thank the Lord and sing His praise
Tell everyone what He has done
Let everyone who seeks the Lord
Rejoice and proudly bear His name
He recalls His promises
And leads His people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving
Alleluia, Alleluia
P: Let us pray…through Jesus Christ our Lord:
C: Amen
The Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious
to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen
*Exit Hymn: “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy” LBW #192
A: Go in peace, serve the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Altar flowers are given to the glory of God
“What is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord?”
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is the first Sunday after Epiphany (January 6th)
and commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John in the Jordan River.
Originally, Epiphany commemorated three Gospel events: 1) the arrival of the Magi
to worship Jesus, 2) the Wedding at Cana, and 3) the Baptism of Jesus. Over time,
the celebration of Jesus’ Baptism became a distinct celebration in the Western
Church.
As the Christmas season began with the “first birth” of Jesus, the season now closes
with the “second birth” (Baptism) of Jesus as we say farewell to our Christmas
decorations until next year.
The Baptism of the Lord not only marks the beginning of His ministry as the Son of
God, but it calls to mind our own Baptism and the promises made by God to each
of us:
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of
works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration
and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so
that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:4-7
Welcome to our Visitors!
Grace Lutheran Church welcomes you this morning! We value families with children
and encourage you to worship together; if you would like assistance during the
sermon, we have volunteers who will be happy to take your child to a Nursery Area
following the Children’s Message, they will return your child to you in the sanctuary
just before Holy Communion. Please fill out a Visitor Connect card, these are found
either on the entrance table or in the pew rack in front of you. Completed cards
should be placed in the offering plate and will be collected with the offering today.
Sunday School
All are welcome to attend the adult Sunday School class before worship beginning at
8:45. We are currently studying Early Church History.
Holy Communion
Those who are baptized and believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly
present in the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation,
are welcome to the Lord’s Table. Please let the Pastor know that you wish to receive
this gift of life by holding out your open hands. If you desire to drink the wine from
the common cup, please proceed to the left chalice after receiving the wafer. If you
prefer to dip the wafer into the wine, please proceed to the right chalice after
receiving the wafer. You are encouraged to bring young children forward for a
blessing. The sign for a blessing is folded hands.
Disciples in Service today, January 11th
Ushers: Richard Maxey, Rik Maxey
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Kathy Kollmeyer
Deacon: James Clapper Crucifer: Art Peters
Acolyte: William Roberts
Servers: Dena Anderson, Sherry Hurst
Altar Guild: Sherry Hurst
Disciples in Service next Sunday, January 18th
Ushers: Ashley Hurst, Rob Maxey
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Malcolm Boyd
Acolyte: Roman Hurst Crucifer: Ruby Hurst
Servers: Marsha Maxey, Nicole Hurst
Altar Guild: Marsha Maxey