Meditation for Gathering

Baptismal Prayer Meditation

We take time from our busy schedules to reflect on the holiness of baptism. We stand amazed at the wondrous works of God. God’s goodness radiates through us as we experience the joy of coming into fellowship. We come with humble and willing hearts. We remember our baptism and pray for all who will be baptized. We pray that God will bring us and them into sweet fellowship found through baptism and remind us of the truth that lies in its holiness.

Written by Theon Johnson III, The Africana Worship Book, Year B (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2007), 27.

Call to Worship

In the beginning, God…
Swept over waters, spoke light into existence, created day and night and called it good.

As the days and nights of creation filled with life, God…
Made humanity out of the dirt to love and tend creation, to be loved and tended by God.

As we lost our way, God…
Sent Jesus, Love Incarnate, to show us the way back.

On the day Jesus came to the banks of the Jordan River to be baptized, God…
Declared, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Let us, then, follow Jesus into the waters, remembering our baptism in which God…
Claims us as beloved children, the family of God.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, July 2023.

Prayer for the Day

Holy God, Eternal Spirit, we thank you for baptizing us into one body in Jesus the Christ. Wash over us with your Spirit, that, like Jesus, we may serve you in serving humanity. Baptize us with the fire of your truth, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Written by Ruth C. Duck, Touch Holiness: Resources for Worship, Updated (Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 2012), 38.

For use in worship services, include the following notice:

Prayer of Confession

We are incredibly stubborn, O Lord.
We have entered the season
in which Your Light has been given to the world,
your blessings have been poured out on the world,
and yet all we can think about is our own problems,
our own needs, our own desires.
Help us to desire you, Lord.
Help us to yearn for your presence.
Pour your baptismal waters over us again,
cleansing us from our self-pity and arrogance.
Nourish and heal us so that we may joyfully serve you.
Wash away our jealousy, greed,
and all negative thoughts and behaviors
that stand in the way of our truly being
the people you have called us to be.
Again let us receive the blessings offered in creation,
in the birth and baptism of Jesus,
and in the ministry of the saints of light.
We ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Words of Assurance

The love of God is always offered to us,
freely, joyfully, for all eternity.
Rejoice, dear friends,
this is the Good News of our Lord. Amen.

Written by Nancy C. Townley, posted on the Worship Connection page of the Ministry Matters website, http://www.ministrymatters.com/worship/article/entry/4549/worship-connection-january-12-2014. Reposted on the re:Worship blog, https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/epiphany-confession-baptism-of-our-lord.html.

Benediction

As you go into the week ahead, may every water you touch be a reminder that you are named and claimed by God who binds you to this community of faith and all Christians of all times and places in love. Amen.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, July 2023.