John the Baptist comes with a message that both challenges and promises. More than anything he proclaims a word that will turn the world around. As we hear his words are we challenged to ask how these words apply to us? As Jesus is baptized, he is launched into a ministry of love and service. Have we heard that voice that affirms God’s love for us, and in turn propels us into lives of love and service?
Worship this week:
Saturday – 5:00 p.m. Modified traditional worship in the chapel
Sunday – 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship
9:30 a.m. Sunday School
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Worship
Devotions for this week:
Jesus’ Baptism January ,8, 2017
SHARE: What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
READ: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding:
Sunday: Jesus’ Baptism (Baptism of Our Lord), Luke 3:1-22
Monday: Genealogy of Jesus, Luke 3:23-38
Tuesday: Jesus is Tempted in the Wilderness, Luke 4:1-13
Wednesday: Comfort, O Comfort My People, Isaiah 40:1-11
Thursday: God Will Restore Jerusalem, Isaiah 52:1-12
Friday: Elijah’s Flight, 1 Kings 19:1-9a
Saturday: Hear, O Israel, Deuteronomy 6:4-15
TALK: Consider some of these ideas:
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and 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.” Luke 3:21-22
There is no quick fix for this world; God’s kingdom is made well slowly, one right move at a time.
- What promises from Israel’s history does Jesus come to fulfill?
- How has your lifestyle contributed to the institutionalization of oppression?
- Does your baptism inform your actions and behaviors? If so, then how? If not, why not?
PRAY: Hear us, O Lord, Your axe lies at the foot of the trees. May we bear good fruit and good news to all the people, in the name of Jesus Christ your Son, Amen.
BLESS: You are God’s child, God’s beloved. With you God is well pleased. Amen.
