HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH813 WYOMING AVENUE

KINGSTON, PA 18704(570) 287-9067

www.htlconline.orghtlckingston@gmail.com

Pastor Metzloff: 570-706-1330

John’s Message and Jesus’ Baptism

Announcements

Confession and ForgivenessBlessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose voice is upon the waters,whose mercy is poured out upon all people, whose goodness cascades over all creation.Amen.Let us confess our sin, trusting in the abundant grace of God.

Holy God, you search us and know us. You are acquainted with all our ways.We confess that our hearts are burdened by sin—our own sins and the broken systems that bind us.We turn inward, failing to follow your outward way of love.We distrust those who are not like us.We exploit the earth and its resources and fail to consider our neighbors.Forgive us, gracious God, for all we have done and left undone.Even before the words are on our tongues, you know them;receive them in your divine mercy. Amen.

How vast is God’s grace!Through the power and promise of ☩ Christ Jesus, our sins are washed awayand we are claimed as God’s own beloved. Indeed, we are forgiven.In the wake of God’s forgiveness, we are called to be the beloved communityliving out Christ’s justice and the Spirit’s reconciling peace. Amen!

Gathering Song: On Jordan’s Bank the Baptist’s Cry 1 On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry

announces that the Lord is nigh;awake and hearken, for he bringsglad tidings of the King of kings!

2 Then cleansed be ev'ry life from sin;make straight the way for God within,and let us all our hearts preparefor Christ to come and enter there.

GreetingP The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ; the love of God;

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.C And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

Welcome Worship Witness

Heavenly Father, with joy we praise you for claiming us as your own, and for pouring your Spirit upon us. Help us to prepare for your glory, and shine your light on all your creation, for the sake of the one whose birth and baptism brought renewal and transformation, Jesus Christ. Amen!

The Lesson – Luke 3:1-221 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was

governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!

Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” 11 In reply he said to them, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 He said to them, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what should we do?” He said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”15 As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16 John 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. 17 His 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.”

18 So, with many other exhortations, he proclaimed the good news to the people. 19 But Herod the ruler, who had been rebuked by him because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and because of all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added to them all by shutting up John in prison.

21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Sermon

Song of the Day: Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized

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

God called you, "My beloved Son";you are God's servant true,sent to proclaim the reign of heav'n,God's holy will to do,God's holy will to do.

Straightway and steadfast until deathyou then obeyed the callto serve with free and willing heart,to give your life for all,to give your life for all.

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

Apostles’ CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father,and he will come 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.

The PeaceP May the peace of the Lord be with you always.C And also with you.

The Prayers [The congregation responds to each petition with the words ‘Have mercy, O God.’]

Guided by Christ made known to the nations, let us offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all people in need.

For the church throughout the world and its leaders, that guided by the Holy Spirit they proclaim the forgiveness of sins, let us pray.

For wilderness and water, wind and wild beasts, and all living things on earth, that God’s goodness is revealed through creation and faithful stewards care for all, let us pray.

For the nations of the world and their leaders, for laborers busy both day and night, and for peacemakers amid strife, that God inspire all people to use their strength wisely, let us pray.

For the sick and those who provide medical care, for the imprisoned and those who show them mercy, for the lonely and those who provide companionship, for all who suffer, that God shower compassion, let us pray.

For the congregation, for students returning to school, for those seeking renewal in their daily work, that all the beloved of God experience grace and peace, let us pray.In thanksgiving for the faithful departed who now rest from their labors, that their witness inspire us in our baptismal vocations, let us pray.

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Merciful God, hear the prayers of your people, spoken or silent, for the sake of the one who dwells among us, your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:

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.

Benediction God the creator strengthen you;

Jesus the beloved fill you;and the Holy Spirit, the comforter, ☩ keep you in peace. Amen!

Sending Song: O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright1 O Morning Star, how fair and bright!

You shine with God’s own truth and light,aglow with grace and mercy!Of Jacob’s race, King David’s Son,our Lord and master, you have wonour hearts to serve you only!Lowly, holy! Great and glorious,all victorious, rich in blessing!Rule and might o’er all possessing!

2 Come, heav’nly bridegroom, light divine,and deep within our hearts now shine;there light a flame undying!In your one body let us beas living branches of a tree,your life our lives supplying.Now, though daily earth’s deep sadnessmay perplex us and distress us,yet with heav’nly joy you bless us.

3 Lord, when you look on us in love,at once there falls from God abovea ray of purest pleasure.Your word and Spirit, flesh and bloodrefresh our souls with heav’nly food.You are our dearest treasure!Let your mercywarm and cheer us!Oh, draw near us!For you teach usGod’s own love through you has reached us.

Dismissal Go in peace. Be the light of Christ.

Thanks be to God!

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HTLC Prayer List

Added This Week:John Taylor

Remaining on the prayer list:Tom Adams (friend of Sue Coslett)Emily Dingwell (friend of Bernis Emmett)Tom Evans (neighbor of Nancy Bartle)Mollie Farmer (friend of Donna Sieminski)Chelsea FeldmannAmber GulichJoan HermannAl Kinsman (friend of Bob & Susan Sands)Sandy KnouseMary KondradWendy Koval Lynne Lombardo (daughter-in-law of the Lombardos)Jamie Powderly (son-in-law of Donna Sieminski)Robert Powderly (in-law of Donna Sieminski)Susan Raynes (friend of Bob Sands)Bob SandsDurrell and Lois SeipFrank Spudis (neighbor of Sue Coslett)Cathy Sweeney (daughter of Howard and LaRene Castor)Mya Van Buskirk (Joan Hermann’s granddaughter)Jerry Wagner

Continuing Prayers: Mary Kay Ackerman, Floriann Albert, Bella Brown, Chloe Brown, Bernice Buchkowski, Vivie Budzyn, Maria Condello, Nina Condella, Asher Dicton, Bonnie Glahn, Bob Granko, Ruth Ann Jeffery, Marty Kasper, Lynette Murray, Dauriz & Joe Schappert, John Sieminski, John Zoranski

Homebound: Howard & LaRene Castor, Clara Henkle

Please use the prayer request forms in the narthex – we need all of the information on them so as to be able to properly care for and send cards to those on our list. Thanks!

The prayer group meets at the church building at 9:30 on the first Saturday of each month, to pray, learn more about prayer, update the prayer list, and write cards to those on it.

If you would like to be a part of this group, you are welcome to join us!

If you have put someone on this list, please keep us updated as to how they are doing (either at htlckingston@gmail.com or 570-287-9067). Thanks!

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