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Image: "Baptism of Jesus," (detail) Lorenzo Scott, painting. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC, United States. This piece illustrates a scene from the New Testament in which Jesus was baptized. Lorenzo Scott painted Saint John and one of the angels as black people, linking the faith of his community to John’s mission to “prepare the way for the Lord.”

Theme of the Day

Today’s festival rejoices in God’s blessings. We recall and celebrate our adoption as God’s children, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promised company of almighty God when we “pass through the waters ... the rivers ... fire.” On this day the heavens open again for this assembly, and we receive the gift of God’s Beloved, Jesus, in bread and wine.

The Collect for Sunday

Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time global pandemic;
  • for all medical personnel and caregivers, especially for those who work with those who are most ill;
  • for those who are sick and those awaiting surgeries postponed;
  • for research workers and scientists and medical personnel who are working to protect us, provide adequate testing, and to develop, deliver and administer vaccines;
  • for the safety of front line workers;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to this virus;
  • for those who are isolated and anxious;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, injustice, and hatred;
  • for the First Peoples of this land and for the work of healing and reconcilation; 
  • for all who grieve for lost children, for the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and for generational healing;
  • for those who are hungry and homeless;
  • for those who are unemployed or underemployed;
  • for all those who mourn, who are lonely, or suffer from depression;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all those set in authority under her, for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council; for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for the whole church: for Susan, our Diocesan Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for Tom, our intern; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray, (especially Betty,) that God will bring them healing and wholeness;
  • for those who are dying and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest.

In our cycles of prayer:

  • In the Worldwide Anglican Com­mun­ion: for Iglesia Anglicana de Chile, and the people of that province of the church.
  • In the Diocese of Niagara: All Saints, Ridgeway, the Reverend Daniel Bennett, Rector; Canon David Thomas, Honorary Assistant, and the people of this parish.
  • In our neighbourhood: Beth Jacob Synagogue, Rabbi Hillel Israel and the people of that congregation..
  • For one another, especially for Brian, Eleanor, Michael, Adele, Josh, Alder, Edda, Bill, Thomas, Priscilla, Timothy, and Leandra.

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

First Reading: Isaiah 43:1-7

Near the end of Israel’s exile in Babylon, God promises to bring the people home. They need no longer be afraid, because the one who formed, created, and called them by name now redeems them from all their enemies. God declares them precious and honored, and God loves them.

 1But now thus says the Lord,
  he who created you, O Jacob,
  he who formed you, O Israel:
 Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
  I have called you by name, you are mine.
 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
  and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
 when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
  and the flame shall not consume you.
 3For I am the Lord your God,
  the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
 I give Egypt as your ransom,
  Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
 4Because you are precious in my sight,
  and honored, and I love you,
 I give people in return for you,
  nations in exchange for your life.
 5Do not fear, for I am with you;
  I will bring your offspring from the east,
  and from the west I will gather you;
 6I will say to the north, “Give them up,”
  and to the south, “Do not withhold;
 bring my sons from far away
  and my daughters from the end of the earth—
 7everyone who is called by my name,
  whom I created for my glory,
  whom I formed and made.”

Psalm: Psalm 29

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Ps. 29:3)

 1Ascribe to the | Lord, you gods,
  ascribe to the Lord glo- | ry and strength.
 2Ascribe to the Lord the glory | due God’s name;
  worship the Lord in the beau- | ty of holiness.
 3The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of | glory thunders;
  the Lord is upon the | mighty waters.
 4The voice of the Lord is a pow- | erful voice;
  the voice of the Lord is a | voice of splendor. R
 5The voice of the Lord breaks the | cedar trees;
  the Lord breaks the ce- | dars of Lebanon;
 6the Lord makes Lebanon skip | like a calf,
  and Mount Hermon like a | young wild ox.
 7The voice | of the Lord
  bursts forth in | lightning flashes.
 8The voice of the Lord| shakes the wilderness;
  the Lord shakes the wilder- | ness of Kadesh. R
 9The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the | forests bare.
  And in the temple of the Lord all are | crying, “Glory!”
 10The Lord sits enthroned a- | bove the flood;
  the Lord sits enthroned as king for- | evermore.
 11O Lord, give strength | to your people;
  give them, O Lord, the bless- | ings of peace. R

Second Reading: Acts 8:14-17

Peter and John are sent to support the new Christians in Samaria, a group that was recently baptized after hearing the good news of Christ through the preaching of Philip. Here the Samaritans receive the gift of the Holy Spirit in the laying on of hands.

14Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Gospel: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

The reading opens with questions about the identity of the Messiah. John the Baptist insists that he is not the Messiah; instead he points ahead to one who is coming. And whether the voice of God was heard by all or only by Jesus, God settles the matter: Jesus is God’s beloved Son.

15As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, 16John 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. 17His 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.”

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

This Week

  • Sunday (9): The Baptism of the Lord (Holy Day)
  • Monday (10): William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645 (Commemoration)
  • Tuesday (11): The Holy Innocents (Holy Day)
  • Wednesday (12): Marguerite Bourgeoys, Educator in New France, 1700 (Commemoration)
  • Thursday (13): Hilary, Bishop of Portiers, Teacher, 367 (Memorial)
  • Friday (14): Feria. Day of discipline and self-denial.
  • Saturday (15): Richard Meux Benson, Religious, Founder of the SSJE, 1915 (Commemoration); Eve of Sunday

For readings appropriate to the day visit here.

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