Call to Worship

Come! Let us follow Jesus to the edge of the Jordan River to be baptized.
We come to be cleansed and made whole.

Come! Let us witness John’s confusion and Jesus’ insistence that John baptize God Incarnate.
We come to join Jesus in choosing life in the kingdom of God.

Come! Let us hear God declare the truth of Jesus’ identity and the truth of our identity as baptized people.
We come to remember and embody who we are as beloved children of God.

Come! Let us worship God who leads us into the baptismal waters and salvation life.
We come to worship God who empowers us through divine presence to live together as the family of God.

Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock, Discipleship Ministries, July 2025.

Opening Prayer

Eternal God,
at the baptism of Jesus,
you revealed him to be your Son,
and anointed him with the Holy Spirit,
Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit
faithful to their calling as your people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Posted on the Church of Scotland’s Starters for Sunday website, https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/home. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2014/01/collect-baptism-of-our-lord.html.

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.

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

Benediction

Go in peace; love and care for one another in the name of Christ;
and may the Spirit of God, which filled John and Jesus,
fill your hearts, souls, and minds;
may the power of God, which upheld them,
strengthen you for each day;
and may the love of God, which directed their every action,
be your guiding light and your shining star,
both now and forevermore. Amen

Written by Rev. Richard J. Fairchild and posted on his Kir-shalom website. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/12/benediction-epiphany-1-b.html.