THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD
January 12 , 2025
THE FATHER IS MY HOPE; THE SON IS MY REFUGE;
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS MY PROTECTION.
ALL HOLY TRINITY, GLORY TO THEE!
LIVE AUDIO STREAMING during today’s service is available on the Order of Service page. Recorded audio will be added following worship.
GETTING READY FOR SUNDAY: PREVIEW OF THE READINGS
The season of Epiphany is celebration how it is that God has “shown or shined forth” and manifested Himself, in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, and follows on logically and is the fulfillment of the celebration of Christ’s Birth at Christmas. Following on from the Feast of the Epiphany last Sunday, where the wise-men came from the East bearing gifts, today we celebrate the epiphany that took place at the Baptism of Jesus which launched His public ministry: it is the shining or showing forth of the Trinity and Christ’s Divine Sonship. The reading from Isaiah provides us with the prophetic foundation for this manifestation, and the testimony of the Father regarding His Son.
THE LESSON : Isaiah 42:1-8
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him, he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to graven images.
THE GOSPEL: Mark 1:1-11
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight”’, John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
PARISH LIFE NOTES
CHURCH CALENDARS HAVE ARRIVED! If you placed an order, please pick up your calendar for $10 in the church office.
2025 OFFERING ENVELOPES are now available on the table in the narthex. If you have any questions, please contact Blair.
WEEK DAY SERVICES of Morning Prayer and Holy Communion resume this week, after the Christmas break.
WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Morning Prayer: Tuesday to Friday at 8.30 a.m.
Evening Prayer: Wednesday at 5.30 p.m.
Holy Communion: Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.