First Sunday after Epiphany

Collect
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan didst proclaim him thy beloved Son and anoint him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with thee and the same Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

First Lesson: Isaiah 42:1-9
"Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope."

This is what God the LORD says--he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:
"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."

"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."

Second Lesson: Acts 10:34-38
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

Psalm: 89:1-29

1. Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing; *
   from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2. For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; *
   you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3. "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; *
   I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4. 'I will establish your line for ever, *
   and preserve your throne for all generations.'"
5. The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O LORD, *
   and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
6. For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? *
   who is like the LORD among the gods?
7. God is much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, *
   great and terrible to all those round about him.
8. Who is like you, LORD God of hosts? *
   O mighty LORD, your faithfulness is all around you.
9. You rule the raging of the sea *
   and still the surging of its waves.
10. You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound; *
    you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11. Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; *
    you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it.
12. You have made the north and the south; *
    Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your Name.
13. You have a mighty arm; *
    strong is your hand and high is your right hand.
14. Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; *
    love and truth go before your face.
15. Happy are the people who know the festal shout! *
    they walk, O LORD, in the light of your presence.
16. They rejoice daily in your Name; *
    they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17. For you are the glory of their strength, *
    and by your favor our might is exalted.
18. Truly, the LORD is our ruler; *
    the Holy One of Israel is our King.
19. You spoke once in a vision and said to your faithful people: *
    "I have set the crown upon a warrior
    and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20. I have found David my servant; *
    with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21. My hand will hold him fast *
    and my arm will make him strong.
22. No enemy shall deceive him, *
    nor any wicked man bring him down.
23. I will crush his foes before him *
    and strike down those who hate him.
24. My faithfulness and love shall be with him, *
    and he shall be victorious through my Name.
25. I shall make his dominion extend *
    from the Great Sea to the River.
26. He will say to me, 'You are my Father, *
    my God, and the rock of my salvation.'
27. I will make him my firstborn *
    and higher than the kings of the earth.
28. I will keep my love for him for ever, *
    and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29. I will establish his line for ever *
    and his throne as the days of heaven."

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Collect & Psalm from the Book of Common Prayer
Other excerpts from the New International Bible

Sts. Vidicon & Isidore