For
Sunday, January 13, 2019, 1st Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C, Readings: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17,
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Thus says the Lord,
he who created you...Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by
name, you are mine. [Isaiah 43:1]
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due
his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness…The voice of the LORD is a
powerful voice; the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor. [Ps 29: 2, 4]
[Peter and John] went
down and prayed for them…laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy
Spirit. [Acts
8:15a, 17]
"...one who is more powerful
than I is coming...He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His
winnowing fork is in his hand...to gather the wheat into his granary...and when
Jesus had been baptized...a voice came from heaven, 'You are my Son, the
Beloved; with you I am well pleased.'" [Luke
3:16b-17a, 21b, 22b]
The word Baptism is derived
from the Greek and Latin words for washing, dipping, or plunging. There
are a variety of meanings, protocols, requirements, and reasons for such
rituals, for example, initiation into a community of faith or spiritual regeneration.
Whether by aspersion (sprinkling with water), immersion (plunging into water),
or affusion (pouring water on), Baptism is a sacrament, ceremony, a rite, that
hearkens back to the Jewish heritage of Jesus. Ancient and modern Jewish
rituals of ablution (washing) for cleansing and/or purification were
established millennia before John poured water over his cousin's head in the
Jordan River. Some denominations believe that Baptism is necessary for
Salvation, others do not. Not all schools of Judaism practice these rituals and
neither do all Christians. But for many Christians, this Gospel moment marks
the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus, though after this he
immediately went to the desert to prepare further.
Even if you haven't been baptized, christened, or dedicated, just wanting to be is enough, some believe, and so you become baptized through desire. And while anyone of us can be a baptizer with water, only Jesus brings the fire of the Holy Spirit to set our faith ablaze. Willingly and gladly accepting the role and responsibility of faith ~ now there's the perfect way to make your Dad well pleased!
Even if you haven't been baptized, christened, or dedicated, just wanting to be is enough, some believe, and so you become baptized through desire. And while anyone of us can be a baptizer with water, only Jesus brings the fire of the Holy Spirit to set our faith ablaze. Willingly and gladly accepting the role and responsibility of faith ~ now there's the perfect way to make your Dad well pleased!
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~
Creator
God~Beloved Messiah~Holy Spirit, You call us each by name and we are Your own.
Gather us as wheat into Your granary and burn off the chaff within us that
turns us from You. Baptize us in the fire of faith that we may discover the
beauty of holiness in each day of our earthly lives.
O Lord of Glory
RESPONSE: Bless us with Your strength and peace
~ Creator God~Beloved
Messiah~Holy Spirit, fill us with the splendor of Your powerful voice to
proclaim Your boundless love, eternal presence, redemption and honor for all faithful
people, to all who govern or hold authority in every corner of the Earth,
nearby and far away. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord of Glory
Bless us with your strength and peace
~
Creator
God~Beloved Messiah~Holy Spirit, cradle the hearts of the sick, the poor, and
the lonely, and fortify the spirits of all who give of themselves to help. We now join our voices to pray aloud
for those in need…
O Lord of Glory
Bless us with your strength and peace
~ Creator God~Beloved
Messiah~Holy Spirit, carry the sorrowful through the waters of grief, as those
You have called Home now live again, forever joyful, in Your infinite love and
grace. We pray especially
for:
O Lord of Glory
Bless us with your strength and peace
~ Creator God~Beloved Messiah~Holy Spirit, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud
or silently…
O Lord of Glory
Bless us with your strength and peace
~ Creator God~Beloved
Messiah~Holy Spirit, enlighten and excite Your anointed disciples of our own
day, who pray with and for us, baptize and confirm us, and instruct, encourage,
and travel with us through our earthly sojourn. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
O Lord of Glory
Bless us with your strength and peace
The
Celebrant adds: Eternal and Almighty King, enflame us with the joy of freedom from fear and with confidence
in Your enduring presence. Grant us the courage to give the glory due Your name
by our every thought, word, and deed, striving to be among those with whom You
are well pleased. We ask through Jesus, Your Beloved Son, and the Holy
Spirit, the fire of our faith, who together live and reign with You as One God,
now and forever. Amen.
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