This Week’s Theme
“You Are My Beloved Son”
Luke 3.15-22
Each of the Gospel writers speaks of the baptism of Jesus, the display of the beginning of his earthly, public ministry. According to Luke, as Jesus was praying he was baptized, and as that occurred the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove. A voice came from heaven, saying, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” This anointing of our Lord with the Holy Spirit signals the start of his public ministry, and confirms that Jesus is God’s Son, by the Father’s own pronouncement from heaven. Here is a clear picture of the triune God’s authenticating work on Jesus: John baptized him who is the Son of God, anointed by the Holy Spirit’s descent upon him, and confirmed by the Father’s own word from heaven. In this baptism Jesus fully identified himself with those who came to John’s baptism. Though he never sinned, he, like them, permitted himself to be baptized, and launched his public ministry with anointing by the Spirit and approval from the Father.
Preparing Our Hearts
Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Father, help us here and now behold the humility of him who, in identifying with us O God, Who through Thine Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord has endowed the regenerating waters with the grace which halloweth unto eternal salvation; and didst Thyself come upon Him by Thy Spirit, in the descent of the mysterious Dove on His head; grant, we beseech Thee, that there may come upon Thy whole Church a blessing which may keep us all continually safe, may unceasingly bless all classes of Thy servants, may direct the course of those who follow Thee, and open the door of the heavenly kingdom to all who are waiting to enter; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
~ Guthie (Bright, p. 29-30)
Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.
Praising Our God
Te Deum Laudamus
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.
You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.
Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)
Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.
Listening to His Voice
Chronological Reading for the Day
Sunday: Exod. 35-36
Lectionary Readings for the Day
Psalm: Ps. 29
OT: Isa. 43.1-7
Gospel: Luke 3.15-17, 21-22
NT: Acts 8.14-17
Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling
Responding in Faith
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).
Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.
Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.
Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)
Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Departing to Serve
Benediction
Keep us, O Lord, from the vain strife of words, and grant to us a constant profession of the truth. Preserve us in the Faith, true and undefiled; so that we may ever hold fast that which we professed when we were baptized into the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; that we may have Thee for our Father, that we abide in Thy Son, and in the fellowship of the Holy Ghost; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
~ S. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, AD 300 (Fox, p. 233)
Affirmation for the Day
John was not the Christ but baptized him who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Infill us, dear God, with the Spirit of truth and power, even as our Lord was led by him after his baptism.
Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me
Luke 4.14-21
Book Reading
Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism