All are invited to join us for Sunday morning service on January 12, 2025.  Sunday School runs during the service and there is coffee and fellowship after the service.  Hope to see you there.

Here are a few of Rev. Marlene’s thoughts on the upcoming service.

Marlene’s Rev. Notes:

“And the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

The Gospels provide some necessary back story concerning the confusion surrounding John the Baptist’s identity in relation to Jesus.  For this reason, Matthew has John question whether he should baptize Jesus, while John’s Gospel has the Baptist testify that Jesus is the Son of God.  Luke’s account of John the Baptist’s ministry concludes in today’s reading, with John answering the speculation that Jesus might be the Messiah, by stating that a mightier one than John is coming. Then, Luke briefly notes that Herod took offense at John and had him imprisoned.  The fact that John is imprisoned, and thus removed from the action as Jesus comes onto the scene, sets the stage for Luke’s account of Jesus’ baptism.

Luke avoids any mention of John to keep the focus on Jesus, the main actor on the stage of salvation history.  Noting that Jesus prays throughout the baptism, we see again that Jesus at prayer is typical of Luke’s writing style.

Luke joins Matthew and Mark in drawing upon the Old Testament to identify Jesus: “You are my Son, the Beloved (see Psalm 2:7); with you I am well pleased (see Isaiah 42:1 and today’s first reading).”  Now, knowing who John is, a voice who baptizes with water, and who Jesus is, the mightier One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire, as well as the beloved Son and the One who pleases God; Jesus’ public ministry can begin.

Rev. Marlene