I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”
Psalm 122:1
Scripture Readings For the Week:
Joshua 3:1-3, 7-8, 13-17
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Matthew 3:13-17
The Lord brings His people out of their captivity, out of darkness and across the river into the light of the promised land. The waters of sin, death, and destruction stop when Jesus steps into the river. Now a cleansing flood flows from His throne. He is the source of our salvation, the beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased. We have our life in Him, let us boast in the Lord!
Prayer of the Day:
Salutation and Collect of the Day
Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymns
594 God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It
406 To Jordan Came The Christ Our Lord
394 Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
528 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
TLH 131 The Star Proclaims the King is Here
Bach Cantata for the Week
BWV 154 Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren (Translation here)
- Aria (T)
My precious Jesus now hath vanished:
O word, which me despair doth bring,
O sword, which through my soul doth drive,
O thund’rous word, when mine for hearing.(1)
- Recit. (T)
Where shall I, then, my Jesus meet,
Who will show me the way
Where of my soul its fervent desiring,
My Savior, hath departed?
No sorrow could me ever touch so deeply
Than if I were to lose my Jesus.
- Chorale (S, A, T, B)
Jesus, my shield and redeemer,
Jesus, my true confidence,
Jesus, mighty serpent-slayer,
Jesus, of my life the light!
How my heart now thee desireth,
Little Jesus, for thee acheth!
Come, ah come, I wait for thee,
Come, O dearest Jesus child!
- Aria (A)
Jesus, let me find thee,
Let, though, my transgressions
Not the swelling clouds become
Where thou, to my terror,
Wouldst from me lie hidden;
Quickly show thyself again!
- Arioso Dictum(2)
Know ye then not that I must be there where my Father’s business is?
- Recit. (T)
This is the voice of my beloved,(3)
God praise and thanks!
My Jesus, my devoted shield,
Makes through his word
Himself heard for new comfort;
I was with grieving sick,
My sorrow sought me to the bone,
My limbs were nearly wasted;
But now, though, will my faith again be strong,
Now full is my delight;
For I behold this my soul its glory,
My Savior, my true sunlight,
Who after mourning’s night of grief
Through his bright light doth make my heart rejoice.
Rise, spirit, get thyself prepared!
Thou must to him
Into his Father’s house, into his temple draw;
There he himself within his word revealeth,
There would he in the sacrament restore thee;
But if thou worthily his flesh and blood would enjoy,
Then thou must Jesus kiss in faith and firm repentance.
- Aria (A, T)
Bless me, Jesus is here present,
Now am I no more distressed.
He, the true love of my soul,
Comes to me for joyous hours.
I will, O my Jesus, now nevermore leave thee,
I will now in faith ever steadfast embrace thee.
- Chorale (S, A, T, B)
This my Jesus I’ll not leave,
I’ll forever walk beside him;
Christ shall let me more and more
To the springs of life be guided.
Blesséd those who say with me:
This my Jesus I’ll not leave.
- Cf. Johann Rist, “O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort,” and Lk. 2:35.
- Representing the Vox Christi.
- S. of S. 2:8.