4768 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod 4768 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111 Pastor Green’s telephone numbers: office: 652-8285; cell: 319-5424; home: 732-2631; Email: [email protected] ; Church’s Website: www.ascension-wels.net; Pastor Robert Green; Officers: President: Mike Neff; Vice President: Chuck Thompson; Secretary: Ralph Buehler; Elders: Mike Neff, Chuck Thompson, Ralph Buehler, Rick Grove, and Lance Pockey; Fellowship: Ron Althoff; Treasurer: Rick Grove; Properties: Terry Reilly; Stewardship: Franklin Stauffer; Organists/pianists: Vyonne Stephenson, Marge Metz, Scott Salesky, and Jodie Roberts; Willing Workers: Co-chairmen: Barb Buehler and Jodie Roberts; Secretary: Linda Graf; Altar Guild: Barb Buehler; LWMS Reporter: Jodie Roberts

January 13, 2013

First Sunday after Epiphany The Baptism of Jesus

For a personal prayer for before worship see page 10 in the hymnal.

The order of service for today is The Common Service found on page 15 in the front of the hymnal.

Service Introduction: The long-expected Christ has arrived as his baptism, his anointing, reveals him to be God’s Son our Savior. On this First Sunday after Epiphany we consider the meaning of Christ’s Baptism by comparing it to the our own baptism.

Opening Hymn: 82 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Prayer of the Day: 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. Keep us who are baptized into Christ faithful in our calling as your children and make us heirs 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. First lesson: Young David is anointed by Samuel to Shepherd the Lord’s people, Israel. Centuries later would come fulfillment with the anointing of the Christ and the Lord’s royal priesthood of all believers.

1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NIV): The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." 2 But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, `I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." 4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?" 5 Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." 11 So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?"

2 "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." 12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Psalm 2 found on page 65 in the front of the hymnal. The powers and authorities in this world plot and plan, but God has placed Jesus, his Anointed One, over all things.

Second Lesson: This is the reading for the sermon.

Are you certain of eternal life through the washing of rebirth and renewal?

Titus 3:4-7 (NIV): But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

After the reading of the verse of the day, the congregation joins in singing the Triple Alleluias, found on page 18.

Verse of the Day: Alleluia. You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Alleluia. (Mark 1:11b)

3 Gospel reading: Through his word and his baptism John the Baptist prepared the people for the arrival of the Messiah who would come with justice to rule the people with equity. At his own baptism, Jesus is anointed with the Holy Spirit and power as our Prophet, Priest, and King to the approval of the Father. Our baptism is also an anointing by the Spirit, but for the forgiveness of our sins. This is our connection to Christ and his redeeming work.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 NIV: The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”… 21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on 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 Hymn 89 To Jordan's River Came Our Lord

Sermon: by Pastor Green, based on Titus 3:4-7

Are you certain of eternal life through the washing of rebirth and renewal?

Sermon helps: Use the following as best serves you to aid in listening to the sermon.

Telic note (the key points God is teaching in the reading): Though we were lost and condemned sinners, God in his goodness and grace took away our sins by washing of rebirth, a picture of baptism rebirth that comes by renewal by 4 the Holy Spirit. God generously poured out the Holy Spirit upon us through our Savior who justified us, declared not guilty of sin, by his grace. God did this that we would inherit eternal life.

Sad/Law (As I look at myself, what makes me sad about this reading, where do I see God’s law condemning my sin): The great sin is to not believe what God has done for us. When we doubt God’s love and forgiveness for us, we deny his Word that by his goodness and grace he indeed washed us clean of all sin. What greater sin is then not taking God at his Word.

Glad/Gospel (What gives me joy in this reading, where do I see God’s love and forgiveness): God has washed away all our sins through faith in Christ Jesus. He has declared us not guilty and has justified through faith in Christ Jesus. That means God looks upon us as pure and holy, righteous in his eyes. God did this not because we deserved it, but because of his great mercy and kindness, and love for us. That is the Good News of the Gospel message.

Offering: During the offering the congregation joins in singing hymn 299 All Who Believe and Are Baptized

Third Hymn:294 Baptized into Your Name Most Holy

Closing Hymn: 709, from the supplement, Christ, Your Footprints Through the Desert

5 This hymn not only underscores the significance of our Lord’s baptism in his work of salvation but also demonstrates the intimate connection between his baptism and our own.

Text: Herman G. Stuempfle Jr., 1923-2007 © 2000 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Tune: BEACH SPRING (87 87 D) The Sacred Harp, Philadelphia 1844. Under One License A-718321 6 For a prayer for after worship see page 11 of Christian Worship, A Lutheran Hymnal:

Announcements for the week of January 13th

Attendance last Sunday: 32; Internet views of the service: 46; Visits of the website:, including from 13 states, Brazil, Cameroon, and Ethiopia

UPCOMING EVENTS: January 19th: Basic Doctrine class starts 10 am

January 20th: Tenth Annual Chili Cook-Off after worship

January 26th: Calendar Planning Meeting for 2013, 12 noon

Bible Classes: Wednesday: 10:30 am Ezekiel Thursday: 7:00 pm Bible Study W. Shore study of the readings for the coming Sunday. Friday 2:00 pm BIC Sunday: 9:00 am Sunday School for all ages; adults study the readings for the day

If we have missed anyone’s birthday or anniversary, please tell Mike Neff or Pastor Green. January Birthday’s: Amy Roberts 1/8; Magdalena Liefke 1/18

Anniversaries: none

Prayer requests: Please let Pastor Green know of any prayer requests for you or your loved ones. We pray for others for God has commanded us to pray and they have requested the prayers.

We pray: 7 for those with cancer: Dirk Martinez; Brian Terry (Brenda Thompson’s nephew), Bob Dunlop friend of Pastor Green, Randel Wolfe, relative of Barb Penstone for bone cancer; Grace Glenn, Patti Reed’s step-mother; Kathleen Woodall, Jeanne Green’s sister; Anthony Pockey, Lance’s father; Shirley Maxwell; Marge Soule; for Karen Bray, Vyonne Stephenson’s daughter, Helen Crogle, friend of Phyllis Cross, and Francis Pockey, Lance’s mother, for heart problems; Joylynn Larson, for multiple sclerosis; Paul Glenn, (Patti Reed’s brother) for vision problems; for Steve Murray, for stroke; Ann Swan, for kidney problems; Sonia Schmidt for cerebral palsy; Evelyn Kraft for lung issues; Bob Leathe for arthritis, heart, and kidney issues; Josephine Hockey, Patti Neff’s mother, for health problems; and new baby for faith, health and welfare: Dorothy Neujahr, mother of Linda Graf; Sharon Miller, Phyllis Cross’ niece; Jordan Glenn; Daniel Reed; Destiny Reed; Patrick Collins; Pam Seed; Ryan Collins; Billy Martin; Chris and Heather and sons Dalton and Dane; for our world and home mission work; for our college students: Eric Metz, Steven Nowaczyk for those in the military: Brian Easter, Sarah Buehler; Lance J. Pockey, Steve Miller; Alyssa Briggs; Stuart Krueger, Dennis Wille; Anthony R. Pockey

This week at Ascension: Wednesday: 10:30 am Ezekiel Thursday: 7:00 pm W. Shore Bible Study on the readings for the coming Sunday. Sunday: 9:00 am Sunday School for all ages; adults study the readings for day 10:30 am Worship for all ages