Baptism of the Lord

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Holy God, when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan the heavens opened, the Spirit descended, and your voice affirmed your love in Jesus for the healing of the human race and all creation. By water and word you lovingly invite us into this same life-giving mission. May your Spirit, moving like a stream of water flowing from its source, work in us this day to realize your vision of a world made new in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Glorious God, as Jesus prayed at his baptism, your mothering Spirit brooded over him, providing sustenance and strength. So, brood over us today as we offer our prayers for the church and world.

We pray for your church: may your word spark our lives with truth and joy as we serve one another to the glory of your name.

We pray for all leaders and people around the globe: may your justice provoke us to shape a peaceful world where all work for the common good.

We pray for the well-being of your creation: may your goodness startle us to the horror of our exploitation and abuse.

We pray for all who suffer grief or sickness of any kind: may your tender presence abide with us and hasten our healing.

We pray for all who lack the essentials of life: may your righteousness raise us up to walk together with respect and dignity for all.

We pray for those who have died, that your steadfast love may shelter them in the peace of your eternal light.

O God, you have made us, formed us, and called us by name, and you have redeemed us in Christ. Receive our prayers this day, for your life-giving Spirit is powerful to save. Amen.

The LWCC Vocal Quartet joins us today in memory of Joanna Matos, courtesy of The Matos Family.

Glorious God, when Jesus was baptized for your healing mission the heavens opened in a flash of glory as vision and voice blazed upon the waters. May your Spirit so burn in us that we hear your word translated into deed and follow Jesus in paths of justice, right relationship, and peace. Amen.

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22 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.”

How may I live in the power of the Holy Spirit this day? What in my life is like chaff that the Holy Spirit burns away in order for me to live as a free and faithful child of God?

As people who have passed through the waters of baptism, let us make our grateful offering to God our Redeemer. Amen.

O God, at his baptism, you acknowledged Jesus as your beloved Son, and through him you opened to us a way to become your children by grace. May these gifts we return to you be a sign of our dedication to live as your faithful daughters and sons, born in the waters of baptism by the power of the Holy Spirit; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who stood with sinners on the riverbank, uphold you. Amen. May the love of God, who calls us beloved children, bless you. Amen. May the power of the Holy Spirit, who descended upon Jesus as a dove, give you peace. Amen.