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We are glad that you are here this morning. We hope this time of worship nurtures
your faith enlivens your spirit and engages your mind as we celebrate God’s
love and healing for the world with the resurrection of Christ, our Risen Lord.

Before you begin, remember to download and print the 01.15.23 – Bulletin – Baptism of Our Lord
Then grab your Bible, a cup of tea or coffee, and prepare your heart for worship.

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READ THE SERMON

January 15, 2023 – Baptism of the Lord

Rev. Denise Clark-Jones

“THE RISKY BUSINESS OF BAPTISM”

The Epiphany season celebrates the revealing of Christ. Traditionally, it marks three events: the visit of the magi, the baptism of Christ, and his first miracle—Jesus’ transforming water into wine at Cana. Light is a recurring image throughout the readings for the season. Today we remember the Baptism of Jesus. Long before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Isaiah wrote a series of poems called the Suffering Servant Songs. In these poems, Isaiah prophesies that God will fill this servant with God’s spirit which will enable him to lead the people of Israel with justice and righteousness by revealing God’s truth. This servant leader will be a light to all nations. One of the oldest psalms, Psalm 29 extols God’s supreme rule over all the earth. In our reading from Acts, Peter addresses the crowd gathered outside of the newly baptized Cornelius, a Roman officer and a gentile. Peter presents a summary of Jesus’ ministry and applies prophecies from Isaiah to Jesus. Our reading from Matthew echoes the attributes of Isaiah’s Suffering Servant in the story of Jesus’ baptism. When Jesus is baptized, God’s spirit descends on him and God expresses delight in him: “This is my son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

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PRAYER

“I belong to Westminster because of the splendid worship services, the caring pastor and the faith in action programs…. Westminster made me feel like a welcome part of the church family and allows me to share ‘time, treasure and talents.’ It is a very warm and inclusive congregation with great leadership.”