Description
Mark 1:4-11
Just as the destiny of Jesus was revealed by His baptism so each of us has a destiny that is from the Father. It’s a divine destiny. Through our baptism we are immersed by His grace and the transformation of His Spirit begins working His divine destiny in each of us!
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)
Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown, ©2005 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Good Christian Men Rejoice / Joy To The World medley
Arr. Don Goelier, ©2003 Broadman Press
Lord, I Lift Your Name On High
Rick Founds, ©1989 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by Maranatha! Music)
[Traditional Options]
Hail, O Source of Every Blessing
LSB 409; LW 84
O Jesus King Most Wonderful
HLC 73; LBW 537; LSB 554; LW 274
Christ the Eternal Lord
LSB 829; WAR 339
INVOCATION AND INTRODUCTION OF TODAY’S THEME
Pastor: Holy God, Your Spirit hovered over the waters at creation,
Your Spirit descended on Your Son at the waters of the Jordan.
Your Spirit meets us in the waters of our baptism.
All: Father, Son, and Spirit meet with us today.
Pastor: The voice of the Lord is strong and mighty.
All: Hear the voice of the Lord.
OPENING PRAYER: [This prayer is offered as an idea] — Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, Your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in Your grace, and transform us by Your Spirit, that we may follow after Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
ALL Amen!
TIME OF GREETING
[This would be a fitting time to share the peace of the Lord]
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor: Let us confess our sins before God.
All: Holy Father, through our baptism we were crucified with Christ so that sin would no longer reign in our mortal body, and yet we have sinned. You gave us new life, yet we have not always acted as new creations. You released us from the bondage of sin, and yet we have given in to our selfish desires. You sent us your Spirit, yet we have chosen the ways of this world. Forgive us. Help us to walk in the likeness of Christ, as one who has been set free.
Pastor: God has heard your confession and forgiven your sin. Now, walk in newness of life. Consider yourselves dead to sin, and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
All: Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading: Genesis 1:1-5
The Spirit of God moves over the water.
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
