Exploring the meaning of baptism

Collect: The First Sunday after Epiphany

 Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized in his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting.  Amen.

Genesis 1:1-5;  . . . God parts the waters, transforming darkness and turmoil into light and hope

Psalm 29 . . . The voice of power

Acts 19:1-7 . . .  Linking baptism with the empowering descent of the Holy Spirit in the developing Christian community

Mark 1:4-11 . . .  As John baptizes Jesus, the heavens split apart and the Spirit descends, affirming Jesus as both messianic King and Spirit-filled servant