The Baptism of the Lord

Alleluia, Alleluia,Christ is with us

He is with us indeedAlleluia

And so we gather. In the name of the Father…

Peace is flowing like a riverFlowing out through you and me

Spreading out into the desertSetting all the captives free

Let it flow through me, let it flow through me,

Let the mighty peace of God flow out through me

Let it flow through me, let it flow through me,

Let the mighty peace of God flow out through me

Joy is flowing like a river

Hope is flowing like a river

Love is flowing like a river

His word is flowing like a river

Opening prayer

Living God, we give thanks for clean water

which gives us life. We pray that all your

children around the world may have clean

water to drink.

Amen.

Lord Jesus, you teach us to love and care for others.Lord Have mercy.Lord, have mercy.

Jesus Christ, you bring hope and joy to all who believe in you.Christ have mercyChrist, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you take away the sins of the world.Lord have mercyLord, have mercy.

Alleluia, AlleluiaAlleluia, Alleluia

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Glory to you, Oh Lord

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Alleluia, AlleluiaAlleluia, Alleluia

I wonder what you heard in the Gospel today.

Why did Jesus want to be baptised?

Why was John not keen to baptise Jesus?

What happened when Jesus stood up in the water?

Ritual response

As brothers and sisters in one loving family, together let us pray to our heavenly father.

The response is sung, Lord hear our prayerLord hear our prayer..

That all god’s family may be filled with the holy spirit.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

That our world may be filled with joy and peace.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

That as Christians we may care for the homeless and hungry.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

That we welcome the newly baptised into our sacred family.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Knowing that our Heavenly Father is listening,

in the silence of our hearts,

let us share our own unspoken prayers with Him.

God forgave my sin in Jesus' name. I've been born again in Jesus' name And in Jesus' name I come to you

To share His love as He told me to.

He said 'Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

All pow'r is giv'n in Jesus' name in earth and heav'n in Jesus name And in Jesus' name I come to you

To share His pow'r as He told me to.

He said 'Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.

God gives us life in Jesus' name he lives in us in Jesus' name

And in Jesus' name I come to you To share His peace as He told me to.

Loving Father, through baptism you fill us with your life and love. May that love grow stronger and keep us close to you. We make our prayers through Christ your beloved son.Amen