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Worship Ideas for Epiphany
Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon Notes
Music Notes

Theme of This Service

In many liturgical traditions, one of the Sundays after Epiphany is reserved for a consideration of the baptism of Christ.

In our material this week we will provide resources and suggestions for you to consider in planning your worship around this event. While the primary passage for the baptism of Christ is Matthew 3:13-17, the account, although more brief, can also be found in parallel passages of Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:31-34.

Supplemental Scriptures:

The suggested Scripture readings of the Revised Common Lectionary for this Sunday are as follows:
     Isaiah 42:1-9
     Psalm 29
     Acts 10:34-43
     Matthew 3:13-17

Other Scripture passages may be particularly appropriate and helpful on this day:
     Genesis 1:1-5
     Psalm 2
     Isaiah 11:2
     Isaiah 43:1-7
     Isaiah 49:1-7
     Acts 8:14-17
     Acts 10:34-38
     Acts 19:1-7
     Hebrews 1
     Hebrews 5:1-9

Sermon Notes:

While the baptism of Jesus is easily overlooked in favor of passages and stories with seemingly greater action, this event remains one of profound theological significance. We are given a clear depiction of the Holy Trinity—the Father provides the gift of the Spirit to the Son, making it obvious that all three are involved in the plan of redemption. It is also an event of great significance as revelation. When the Father's voice was heard proclaiming from heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17), he was making a clear and profound announcement to the world about the Sonship of Jesus Christ at the very beginning of his ministry.

Preaching, therefore, ought to proclaim this event as a time of great revelation which we must receive and to which we must respond. We must also recognize the existence of the Holy Trinity and the way in which all three are intimately involved in the work of redemption, though it was the particular work of Christ to provide the atonement. We must also recognize what John the Baptist saw: that his own voice was only preparatory, pointing to Christ as the Lamb of God, and that Jesus Christ is the superior one (see Colossians 1:15ff and Hebrews 1). In this event we find revelation that provides a richer and deeper understanding of the identity and mission of Jesus.

Statements of Faith:

Such powerful revelatory statements require a response from us. This response will be expressed in songs and in prayers. But it will also be helpful for the congregation to respond with affirmations and professions of faith. Some of those professions can come from the words of Scripture; others from the confessions of the church. You may want to reformulate these words so they can be a responsive litany of profession, or read in unison by all worshipers.
     Philippians 2:5-11
     Colossians 1:15-20
     Revelation 5:6-14
     The Apostles' Creed
     The Nicene Creed
     Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 31-32
     The Belgic Confession, art. 8-10 (Note: since the format of the Belgic Confession makes corporate use of it difficult, we are providing here several litanies that are reformulated for responsive use. You are free to use these as you wish.)

     Do you believe in one God?
     In keeping with this truth and Word of God
     we believe in one God,
     who is one single essence,
     in whom there are three persons,
     really, truly, and eternally distinct
     according to their incommunicable properties,
     namely,
     Father,
     Son,
     and Holy Spirit.

     Are these three still one God?
     This distinction does not divide God into three,
     since Scripture teaches us
     that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
     each has his own subsistence
     distinguished by characteristics—
     yet in such a way
     that these three persons are
     only one God.

     Are all three equal, then?
     There is neither a first nor a last,
     for all three are one
     in truth and power,
     in goodness and mercy. (Belgic Confession, art. 8)

     Why do you believe in the Trinity?
     All these things we know
     from the testimonies of the Holy Scripture
     as well as from the effects of the persons,
     especially from those we feel within ourselves.

     Can we understand this doctrine?
     This doctrine of the Holy Trinity
     has always been maintained in the true church,
     from the time of the apostles until the present.
     And although this doctrine surpasses human understanding,
     we nevertheless believe it now,
     through the Word,
     waiting to know and enjoy it fully
     in heaven. (Belgic Confession, art. 9)

     Is Jesus Christ the Son of God?
     We believe that Jesus Christ,
     according to his divine nature,
     is the only Son of God—
     eternally begotten,
     not made nor created,
     for then he would be a creature.

     Has he been the Son of God eternally?
     He is the Son of God
     not only from the time he assumed our nature
     but from all eternity.

     What is to be our response?
     So then,
     he is the true eternal God,
     the Almighty,
     whom we invoke,
     worship,
     and serve. (Belgic Confession, art. 10)

You will find many more resources in The Worship Sourcebook (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Faith Alive Christian Resources, and Baker Books, 2004). Pages 519-530 include a variety of resources for the liturgy in this service.

Music Notes:

Glossary of Hymnal Abbreviations:
PH        The Presbyterian Hymnal (Presbyterian Church USA; Westminster/John Knox Press)
PsH      The Psalter Hymnal (Christian Reformed Church; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
RL        Rejoice in the Lord (Reformed Church in America; W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
RN        Renew! (Hope Publishing Company)
SFL      Songs for LiFE (children's songbook; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
SNC      Sing! A New Creation (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Christian Reformed Church,
            Reformed Church in America; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
TH        Trinity Hymnal (Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church in America; Great
            Commission Publications)
TWC     The Worshiping Church (Hope Publishing Company)
UMH     The United Methodist Hymnal (United Methodist Publishing House)
WOV     With One Voice (Augsburg Fortress)

The music resources provided below will reflect the season of Epiphany and the baptism of Jesus, as well as remembrances of our baptism. They will also focus on the work of the Trinity in the plan of salvation. Congregational, instrumental, and choral resources are also given.

Congregational Song Suggestions:
     “All Glory Be to God on High” [ALLEIN GOTT] PH 133, PsH 247, RL 620, TH 102
     “At the Name of Jesus” [KING'S WESTON] PH 148, PsH 467, RL 336, RN 279, TH 163, TWC 266, UMH 168
     “Baptized in Water” [BUNESSAN] PH 492, PsH 269, SFL 60, TWC 758
     “Crashing Waters at Creation” [RESTORATION/ARISE] SNC 237
     “Lord God, Almighty” [COMFORT] RN 40, SNC 9
     “Meekness and Majesty” [MEEKNESS AND MAJESTY] RN 158, SNC 109
     “O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High” [AGINCOURT HYMN/DEO GRACIAS] PH 83, PsH 364, RL 342, TH 155, UMH 267
     “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise” [ALLE MENSCHEN MUSSEN STERBEN/SALZBURG] PsH 361, RL 231, TWC 190
     “Wash Me Through and Through” SNC 239

Instrumental Music Suggestions:

AGINCOURT HYMN/ DEO GRACIAS PH 75, 83, 141; PsH 364; RL 256, 342; TH 155; UMH 267
Organ:

ALLE MENSCHEN MUSSEN STERBEN/SALZBURG PH 159, 256, 524; PsH 361; RL 12, 231; SNC 14
Organ:

Alternative Harmonizations for Organ:

ALLEIN GOTT PH 133; PsH 247; RL 620; TH 102
Organ:

Alternative Harmonizations for Organ:

BUNESSAN PH 469, 492; PsH 269; RL 20, 215; RN 164, 165; SFL 60; TWC 362, 543, 758; UMH 145; WOV 693
Organ:

Piano:

Handbells:

KING'S WESTON PH 148; PsH 467; RL 336; RN 279; SNC 265; TH 163, 285; TWC 722; UMH 168, 592
Organ:

Handbells:

RESTORATION/ARISE PsH 252; RN 141; SNC 135, 237; TWC 451; UMH 340

Organ:

Piano:

“Siyahamba” RN 306; SNC 293; WOV 650

Organ:

Piano:

Choral Music Suggestions:

Butler, Eugene. “I Am the Lord.” SMP S-314 [1983] (E).
Courtney, Craig. “Be Not Afraid.” Beckenhorst BP-1388 [1992] (SATB, E-M).
Cox, Joe and Jody Lindh. “Jesus, Son of God Most High.” Choristers Guild CGA-377 (unison, E-M).
Ferguson, John. “Jesus, My Lord and God.” Augsburg 11-2246 [1984] (unison, E-M).
Foley, John, SJ. “Come to the Water.” OCP 9489 [1993] (SATB, E-M).
Glover, Rob. “Praise to the Trinity.” Choristers Guild CGA 668 [1994] (unison/two-part, E-M).
Hopson, Hal H. “We Are Singing, for the Lord Is Our Light.” Agape HH3949 [1994] (two-part, E-M).
Mason, Lowell. “O Praise God in His Holiness.” European American Music 267 [1976] (SATB, E-M).
Matthews, Thomas. “O Praise God in His Sanctuary.” Fitzsimons 2124 [1954] (SATB, E-M).

Options for Baptism Remembrance:

A service in which the baptism of Christ is central is also an excellent time to observe the sacrament of baptism. There are three options that you may want to consider for this, depending on your circumstances.

1. The Administration of Baptism: If you have someone who is ready for baptism, either infant or adult, schedule the baptism for this service. You may arrange your baptism service as usual, and build a bridge of meaning between Christ's baptism and ours to add significant meaning to the baptism service. However, the distinction must be made that Christ's baptism is for one who is sinless and came as our substitute, while ours involves the symbol and sign of our being washed from sin.

2. Celebrating the Baptisms of the Past Year: If no baptisms are anticipated (or in addition to a baptism), it can be very meaningful to remember all those who have been baptized during the past year. We've done this on a regular basis, often on the first Sunday of the new year. All those who were baptized during the past year are invited to be present and come forward. As the sacrament is explained, the congregation is told they will celebrate God's gift in baptism to each person who has received it this year. As the names are read, the people each come forward. After some words of encouragement, the pastor leads the congregation in a prayer of thanks and blessing for each of these. The congregation responds with an appropriate song, or a repeat of their vow to support and encourage their growth in faith.

3. Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows: Another option for this service is to engage the entire congregation in a reaffirmation of the vows that were taken at their baptism. Many congregations find this a very meaningful event. The entire congregation of baptized persons is reminded of their baptism, and encouraged to return to the vows made. You will find a very helpful liturgy for this in SNC 240.

Whatever you plan for this service, the emphasis should be placed on the fact that Christ was baptized as our substitute and that his baptism gives meaning to ours.