How fitting it seems in
our still New Year with the reading from Genesis 1 about Creation's First Day,
with light overcoming darkness and wind across the waters. Then the Gospel of
Mark gives us a brief mention of the baptism of Jesus which is considered the
First Day for his official ministry, with the Holy Spirit arriving as a Dove
and the Voice of God proclaiming Jesus as God's Son. Paul, in Acts, is
questioning some disciples he encountered and asked them about their baptism
which was by John the Baptizer. He baptized them again in the name of Jesus bestowing the Holy Spirit in his laying on of hands
Baptism is a First ritual
or sacrament that many think of as an entry point into the Church for babies,
toddlers, teens, and adults, and yet, has many varied practices across the
breadth of Christianity. For some denominations it is an obligating sacrament,
for others a rite of initiation and adoption into the Christian faith, some
require it to participate in certain rituals of worship, or reception into a
specific sect, and deemed less important by others. Many believe that infant
Baptism is necessary whenever possible, many others do not. Some may offer it
to older children or teens and adults for admission into a particular
congregation whether or not one has been baptized elsewhere. And as many
reasons for it, opposed to it, or neutral, there are many ways to achieve
it.
With water considered a
channel for holiness, baptism can be accomplished in the following ways: aspersion (sprinkling), affusion (pouring),
or immersion (total or partial, standing or kneeling, or
complete submersion). And for those who find themselves wishing they had
been baptized but were not for whatever reason, some believe that there is the
Baptism of Desire ~ that is, if you want it, you have it. In Mark's Gospel and from
Paul in the reading from Acts, through faith in Jesus, baptism brings the Holy
Spirit upon us.
We are called by Jesus
to follow Him, officially baptized or not, and so we start again at the
beginning of this new year with the symbolic beginning of the ministry of
Jesus. The words of an old Negro Spiritual say it best. God will trouble the
water ~ stir it up ~ so we can see the right place to enter the path:
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-goin' to trouble the water
Look over yonder, what do you see?
God's a-goin' to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me
God's a-goin' to trouble the water
From the waters of
Creation, to the waters of Birth and Baptism, Christ is our bridge over waters
troubled and calm and it is He who comes to set our souls ablaze with the
infusion of the Holy Spirit. Whether baptized by water, desire, or faith,
before now or not, it is time to renew our faith and our ministry again. Come
on in, this "water" is fine! Let us bathe in the Light of Christ and
the Fire of the Holy Spirit! Welcome to another refreshing, revitalizing, and rededicating
of faith and joy in Christ, in this moment, in this New Day, New Year, and New
Spirit.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Almighty
Creator, in the Beginning, You brought forth light from the formless void and
darkness on the First Day of Your Creation. From the waters of Birth and
Baptism, Jesus came as our new Beginning, a radiant light to dispel the shadows
in our souls. Let this be a new First Day, as we accept Baptism in the
power of the Holy Spirit, by answering the call to seek and serve Christ in
others and ourselves.
Spirit
of the Living God
RESPONSE: Fall afresh on us all
~ Almighty
Creator, strengthen us to carry Your voice over the troubled waters of
political oppression, injustice, and greed. Give us the words to speak of
compassion, and humanity, to be heard and cause positive action in the halls of
government throughout this Earth, in our Country, and in our Cities and
Towns. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us all
~ Almighty
Creator, calm the hearts and minds of all who are unsettled by illness,
physical challenge, or addiction, and bring rest to those who provide for their
comfort. We now join our hearts to pray for those in need…add your own
petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
~ Almighty
Creator, we treasure and celebrate all who have gone ahead and are now risen in
the beauty of holiness in Your eternal life. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
~ Almighty
Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other
heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or
silently…add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall
afresh on us all
~ Almighty
Creator, refresh and grant special blessings to all who lead us in
Your church, as we journey together seeking Your holy will. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
Spirit
of the Living God
Fall afresh on us all
The Celebrant adds: Holy
Lord of Power and Glory, release us from the turbulence of the doubt
and fear we allow within us, and guide us to a new dawn of faith and hope,
quenching our spiritual thirst in the living waters of Christ’s Baptism. We ask
this through Jesus, Your Beloved Son; and the Holy Spirit, the Ignition and
Fuel of our faith; who together with You reign as One God, now and
forever. Amen.
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