By Water and Spirit

Scriptures
Genesis 1:1–5/1:1–8 IV, Psalm 29, Acts 19:1–7, Mark 1:4–11/1:3–9 IV, Doctrine and Covenants 147:5a

Gathering Music (prelude, soloist, or group singers)

Call to Worship
We begin this day, O God, grateful for your presence in every moment of our lives. We offer our praise with the psalmist:
Worship the Lord in holy splendor. The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!
—Psalm 29, adapted

*Hymn of Praise
“O Lord, Grace Our Communion” HS 1
OR “As the Deer” NS 2

Prayer for Peace

Confessional Prayer

Leader: In the midst of your abundant gift, O God, we confess our brokenness. When we have failed to sense your presence,

Congregation: Forgive us, O God.

Leader: When we think only of ourselves and forget the needs of others,

Congregation: Forgive us, O God.

Leader: When we fail to realize the abundance of your love and grace,

Congregation: Forgive us, O God.

The congregation is invited to sit silent for several minutes, followed by a soloist who sings,
“May Thy Presence Be Ours” HS 102

We Celebrate God’s Blessings
A testimony of baptism (a child or youth might offer this)
A testimony of confirmation (an adult might offer this)

Congregational Hymn
“In Water We Grow” (by Brian Wren in Worship & Rejoice, 678. Suggested tunes in HS 28, 61.) Worship & Rejoice is available from Hope Publishing Company. To order call 1-800-323-1049.
OR “Mysterious Presence, Source of All” HS 169
OR “O God in Heaven, We Believe” HS 356

Message
Based on Mark 1:4–11

Disciples’ Generous Response
Baptism is one way a disciple begins a life of giving. Giving is the natural response of gratitude. Jesus emulated such gratitude by offering himself in baptism, following which he offered his life in service to God. May our response be one of deepest gratitude for the all-inclusive, life-giving love of our Creator, which is our stewardship.

Read Doctrine and Covenants 147:5a

Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to integrate the message of “share equally” between Local/Mission Center and World Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch with how contributions to Mission Tithes focus on the whole mission of Jesus Christ through the five life-changing, church-changing, and world-changing mission initiatives.

Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information as part of your offertory ministry. Visit www.CofChrist.org/generositystories/ to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.

Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes

*Hymn of Sending Forth
“All Are Called” R-9
OR “Called by Christ to Love Each Other” SP 36
OR “Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, We Go” HS 498

*Benediction

SERMON HELPS

Scripture: Mark 1:4–11

Exploring the Scripture

The Gospel of Mark is believed to be the earliest of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) written around 70 CE. From the language and tone of Mark’s gospel it appears to be written for a community comprised of Jewish and Gentile Christians, many of whom are not familiar with Jewish practices. These persons are not highly educated or wealthy and have been suffering from religious persecution. To this early Christian community Mark writes his fast-paced account of the good news of God’s saving action in Jesus Christ.

Although this gospel begins with the proclamation of Jesus as the Son of God, his true identity is withheld from the people Jesus encounters. Instead Mark focuses on the suffering, servant nature of Jesus and the cost of discipleship.

Mark 1:4–11 is part of the prologue to the life, identity, and mission of Jesus Christ. In the tradition of the times, Mark begins by introducing both Jesus and his predecessor John the Baptist. Mark then offers the reader a brief summary of what will take place as Jesus journeys from Nazareth to Jerusalem.

People from the city and surrounding rural areas have come to the wilderness outside Jerusalem to be baptized by John. John proclaims a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sin. This was different than the ritual purity washings to which people were accustomed. John preached repentance and baptism as a response to the urgency of the coming Messiah. The similarity of John’s clothing and behavior to the prophet Elijah serves to underscore the prophetic nature of John’s message.

Jesus comes from Nazareth to be baptized by John. While many wonder why Jesus would need to be baptized for repentance it is widely understood as an expression of solidarity with, and empathy for, humankind. The baptism of Jesus also serves as the commissioning of Jesus as the redemptive agent of God in the world.

The appearance of John as an Elijah figure, the tearing apart of the heavens, and the outpouring of God’s Spirit are images that speak to Jewish hopes and expectations of the coming of the Messiah and the fulfillment of God’s purposes. One might note that in Mark the voice from heaven addresses only Jesus and not the people as in Matthew. For Mark it is important to focus on the Jesus who teaches and heals, for it is only through Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross that Jesus will be recognized as the Son of God.

The Greek word for “tearing” is typically used to indicate that something is revealed. The same word is used at the end of the gospel story when the temple curtain tears and the centurion reveals that this man was truly God’s Son. Now we come to know Jesus’ identity.

The image of the Spirit as a dove may allude to references in Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament). In Genesis 1:2 the Spirit sweeps over the waters at the time of creation. In Genesis 8 a dove is released by Noah after the flood. Both references illustrate the connection between water and Spirit, and the hope found in God’s new creation. Listeners in Jesus’ day would also have been familiar with the appearance of birds in relation to the emperor. For the Roman emperor, the eagle—a bird of power and strength—was the bird of choice and stories existed of eagles appearing in the skies at the time a new leader needed to be chosen. With Jesus it is, however, a dove—a bird that symbolized humbleness, meekness, and possibly peace. So the appearance of the dove in our story tells us what a different type of leader Jesus will be from the emperor.

The revelation of Jesus into the lives of individuals through the waters of baptism continues to offer hope today. Through baptism people become new creatures in Christ and are commissioned to share the ministry and message of Jesus. Christians recognize baptism as an entrance or introduction into Christian community. This community is defined by the continuing presence of God’s Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that disciples are empowered to serve as emissaries and instruments of God’s restoring purposes.

Central Ideas

1. Through repentance and the receiving of forgiveness, disciples prepare for the fullness of God’s activity in their lives and in the world. To continually engage in this process is central to Christian discipleship.
2. In the baptism of Jesus we see the divine nature of God sharing in our human condition. Through baptism Jesus models obedience to God and willingness to serve in God’s mission. 
3. The presence of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives and in the world bears faithful witness of God’s redemptive activity and hope for the future.

Questions for the Speaker

1. John was in the wilderness preparing the way for the coming of Jesus. In what ways do you go into the “wilderness” to more fully prepare yourself as a disciple?
2. Reflect on your own baptism. Did you understand it more as an act of repentance and forgiveness or as an entrance into Christian community and discipleship?
3. To be commissioned as a disciple is to take part in God’s mission. How have you felt the Holy Spirit present with you as you have engaged in active discipleship?