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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Be Baptized
First Sunday after Epiphany (Ordinary Time)
Scriptures: Isaiah 42:1–9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34–43;
Matthew 3:13–17/3:41–46 IV; I Nephi 3:7–12; Doctrine and Covenants
3:15b
Sharing Christ’s Peace
To accelerate the work of sharing the gospel, the Twelve and the
Seventy should be closely associated in implementing wholistic evangelistic
ministries.—Doctrine and Covenants 163:5b
Praise Songs:
“How Majestic Is Your Name” NS 16
“Hosanna” NS 14
Hymn: “I Love You, Lord” NS 18
Welcome and Call to Worship: Isaiah 42:1–9
Consider using nine readers of various ages, each reading one of these
verses. If your congregation is small, alternate verses using three readers.
*Hymn
“Morning Has Broken” HS 22
OR “O God in Heaven, We
Believe” HS 356
*Invocation
Focus Moment
Have someone read “Getting Wet for Jesus” from Courageous Witness,
Jared Munson (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing House, 2003), 25–30.
Allow time for asking and discussing the questions, and encourage the
speaker to refer back to the story in the sermon.
Ministry of Music: “Lord, I Give You” NS 32
As the verses are sung by the congregation, small group, or soloist(s),
have people of different ages bring up items to represent the gifts people
are willing to give to God, placing them on a table or altar. Suggestions
may include the following:
Voice—radio, boom box, microphone, sheet music, picture of mouth
Feet—shoes, clay model of feet, picture of feet
Will—Key, broken chains, unlocked locks, yoke (as for oxen)
Hands—Model of hands, picture of hands, gloves
Heart—Model of heart, picture of heart, heart stickers to pass
out, candy hearts
Mind—Picture of brain, model of brain, picture of person’s head
Life—Life-size tracing of person’s body, symbols of people’s
professions
OR “Take My Life and Let It Be” HS 408
A similar activity could be done with this song, bringing things to the
altar that are mentioned in the verses.
Morning Message
Based on Matthew 3:13–17/3:41–46 IV and/or Isaiah 42:1. End with an
invitation for baptism.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Offertory stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/offertory
to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial
officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Scripture: Acts 10:34–36
We have participated today in pledging much of our lives to God. We have
remembered Jesus’ response to John that giving our life in an outward way
was necessary and important. We realize through Jesus’ example that God’s
grace and love is for all people, in all places, at all times…no exceptions.
Let us respond to that gift of grace and love, so freely given to us, by
practicing generosity and giving our financial resources so others may know
of God’s love and grace in their lives.
Receiving and Blessing of Mission Tithes
*Closing Hymn
“Now Sing to Our God” NS 40
OR “Sent Forth by God’s
Blessing” HS 493
*Response
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Isaiah 42:1–9; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34–43;
Matthew 3:13–17/3:41–46 IV; I Nephi 3:7–12; Doctrine and Covenants
3:15b
Exploring the Scriptures
This Sunday’s Gospel scripture is the story of Jesus’ baptism. Matthew’s
account includes the initial resistance of John to Jesus’ request for baptism.
John had been preaching baptism by water as an outward sign of one’s repentance
from sin. He apparently had some sense of discernment into who Jesus was. That
brought to him a sense of uncertainty about why he should baptize Jesus as well
as his own unworthiness and his need for Jesus to baptize him. Jesus then
offered a convincing explanation saying that he must “fulfill all
righteousness.” Jesus’ baptism was a sign of obedience to God.
The scripture continues with the second part of the account. Matthew reports
that the Spirit of God in the form of a dove lighted on Jesus and a voice was
heard saying: “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (v.
17). In this reference to Isaiah 42:1, “beloved” in the New Testament is similar
to “chosen” in the Old Testament. The characteristic of being chosen or beloved
reflects Jesus’ commitment to being God’s suffering servant.
There are important parallels between Jesus’ baptism and Christian baptism
today:
1) They both are an act of obedience to God.
2) Jesus’ baptism is at the beginning of his ministry; likewise, we begin a
life of discipleship and ministry when we are baptized.
3) Jesus was baptized of water and then received the spiritual blessing of
God just as the sacrament today is expressed by immersion in water and the
confirmation of the Holy Spirit.
4) Jesus is identified as God’s Son, and we are identified as the children of
God.
5) Baptism is a costly commitment including being willing to endure suffering
in the pursuit of a more just world.
Today is a day to invite seekers to follow the example of Jesus and make a
commitment with God to enter the waters of baptism.
Central Ideas
1. Obedience to God is required of all who desire to fulfill the purpose
for which they are created.
2. The sacrament of baptism of water and Spirit exists to bless those who
honestly desire to become disciples of Jesus Christ.
3. Baptism is a covenant with God to give one’s life to sharing the peace
of Jesus Christ.
Questions for the Speaker
1. What is your personal experience with discerning and obeying God’s
will?
2. What is the relationship between baptism of water and baptism of
Spirit?
3. How would you describe being “beloved” of God?
4. What is required of a disciple of Jesus Christ?
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