Cycle A Baptism of Our Lord Lectionary 1

1/12/2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Baptism Sunday 

Sermon Title: “Getting out of the way of God.” Or is it

“Getting into the way of God” ?

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Epiphany (again) Sunday 

Sermon Title: “Revealing Justice at the Heart of God”

Sunday Title:  Baptism of Our Lord

Sermon Title: “Fulfill all Righteousness”

Scripture Cuttings:

Isaiah 42:1-9 ...a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.

Psalm 29 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.

Acts 10:34-43 ...Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power....

Matthew 3:13-17 John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.’

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us remind ourselves that at baptism,

God claims us as God’s own people. (pause)

  Lord...

C: you call us in righteousness,

  yet we receive not- your Holy Spirit…

    when it molds against our will.

You cleanse us in the waters of baptism,

  but we count on your forgiveness

    as though you dispense it at our demand.

You promise to be our God,

  still we give our devotion to false idols

    and sell your glory short in our weakness.

Save, O Lord, your people.

Forgive the sins we know in our heart.

Save us from the sins we hide. (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Lord you know us and still you would have us.

C: Take us by the hand and keep us. Amen

P:  Our God sends God’s own Son: the Beloved. Upon him the Spirit of God descends. Jesus of Nazareth is anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power, suffers death and is raised on the third day. Believing in him we receive forgiveness of our sins in his name. Now, in our baptism we are  joined with those who testify to all people, making witness to God’s saving grace for the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!