We are at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry this morning—his baptism by John in the Jordan River. Why is this baptism so scandalous that none of the other gospels portray it directly? What makes it so amazing, and almost unbelievable?

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The Baptism of Christ: The Beloved

Psalm 29, Mark 1:4-11

Union Presbyterian Church

January 7, 2024

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Liturgist: Cindy Surrena                  Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube

Announcements                                                     Cindy Surrena

Welcome                                                             Rev. Pat Raube   

Prelude                                                       Rev. Robin Lostetter 

Call to Worship                                                                        Cindy Surrena

Jesus, whom we welcomed as a tiny baby at Christmas,

stands now in the swirling waters of the Jordan.

Shall we gather at the river?

Yes! We’ll gather at the river.

Jesus, who is Emmanuel, God-With-Us,

chooses, like us, to be baptized.

Shall we gather at the river?
Yes! We’ll gather at the beautiful river.

Jesus, who is God’s Word-Made-Flesh,

stands among us today as we answer the call of our own baptism.

Shall we gather at the river?

Yes! We’ll gather with the saints at the river

that flows by the throne of God.

Hymn # 522 W & R             “Shall We Gather at the River”

Call to New Life          

Prayer for Wholeness and Peace  

Merciful God, in baptism you promise forgiveness and new life, making us part of the body of Christ. We confess that we remain preoccupied with ourselves, separated from one another. We cling to destructive habits, hold grudges, and show reluctance to welcome one another. We allow the past to hold us captive. In your loving-kindness, have mercy on us, and free us from our sin. Fulfill the promises of our baptism so that we may rise to new life, and live together in grace. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Words of Assurance        

As a voice from heaven said to Jesus, so, in Christ, God speaks to us.

God says, You are my child, my beloved; with you I am well pleased.

The love of God is from everlasting to everlasting.

In the name of Jesus, we are made whole and forgiven.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sharing of the Peace         

May the peace of God be with you. 

And also with you. 

Let us offer one another a sign of God’s peace. 

Scripture  Psalm 29 

Ascribe to the Lord, you gods,

ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name;

worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;

the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice;

the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees;

the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;

the Lord makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord bursts forth in lightning flashes.

The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe

and strips the forests bare.

And in the temple of the Lord all are crying, “Glory!”

The Lord sits enthroned above the flood;

the Lord sits enthroned as sovereign forevermore.

“O Lord, give strength to your people;

give them O Lord, the blessings of peace.”

Time With Young Disciples                                                    Rev. Pat Raube

Scripture           Mark 1:4-11 

So John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And the whole Judean region 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 strap 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 upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Response          Holy Wisdom, Holy Word:

                                    Thanks be to God!

Meditation        “The Beloved”                                                  Rev. Pat Raube  

Affirmation of Faith  The Apostles’ Creed-Ecumenical Version 
 

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, 
creator of heaven and earth. 

I believe 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, died, and was buried; 
he descended to the dead. 
On the third day he rose again; 
he ascended into heaven, 
is seated at the right hand of the Father, 
and will come again to judge the living 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. 

Hymn #284 W & R     “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”

“I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light,” Kathleen Thomerson 

©1970, Celebration, All rights reserved. 

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE, 

License #A-728112.  All rights reserved. 

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper/ Prayers of the People

The Invitation 

The Lord be with you. 

And also with you. 

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up to the Lord. 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 

It is right to give our thanks and praise. 

The Great Thanksgiving 

All creation joins in our great song of praise: 

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.

Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.

Hosanna in the highest! 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord:

Hosanna in the highest!

The Story of the Supper 

Let us proclaim the mystery of our faith: 

Christ has died,  

Christ is risen,  

Christ will come again. 

The Gracious Spirit 

Prayers of the People 

…We make all our prayers in the Baptized One, the One who taught us to pray together: 

The Lord’s Prayer (Unison) 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on 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, forever. Amen.  

The Communion 

O taste and see the goodness of the Lord! 

Blessed are we who are invited to this table. 

Prayer After Communion 

Gracious God, you have gathered us at this table with all the company of your people in heaven and on earth. In your mercy we have been nourished by the living bread, Jesus Christ, and we have been refreshed by the power of your Holy Spirit. May we, who have shared this holy meal, go out as glad disciples of our Lord, following in his way, proclaiming his truth, and living his love for the world. Amen. 

Hymn  #715 W & R     “Now Let Us From this Table Rise”

Benediction

Postlude                                                               Rev. Robin Lostetter 

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.   

“W & R” ~ the red Worship and Rejoice hymnal.  

“PH” ~ the blue Presbyterian Hymnal

[i] Alicia Vargas, “Commentary on Mark 1:4-11,” Baptism of Christ (Year B), Working Preacher Website, January 7, 2024. https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/baptism-of-our-lord-2/commentary-on-mark-14-11-5.