Listen to
sermon podcasts

This Sunday at the Chapel

NOTE: For information on our schedule for the following weeks, please click on the "Home" tab and go to "Upcoming Events."

The Baptism of Our Lord

January 11, 2009

The unfolding Season of Epiphany presents us with the unfolding ministry of Jesus, always beginning with the Baptism of Our Lord, the First Sunday after the Epiphany. Today the Holy Gospel (St. Mark 1:4-11) gives us the account of that baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. The Second Reading (Acts 19:1-7) provides an account of baptism within the missionary proclamation carried out by St. Paul. This day becomes also an occasion to remember and renew our own baptismal incorporation in Christ and his ministry. The First Reading (Genesis 1:1-5), heralding our entrance into this season of light, tells of the creation of light as the universe first emerges.
 

Prayer of the Week

Holy God, creator of light and giver of goodness, your voice moves over the waters. Immerse us in your grace, and transform us by your Spirit, that we may follow after your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Gospel for Sunday:

Mark 1:4-11

The one on whom the Spirit descends is the one who will baptize others with the Holy Spirit.

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

Agnus Day

Agnus Day is a weekly cartoon drawn by Pr. James Wetzstein, based on the gospel lesson for Sunday. The new cartoon for each week is posted on Wednesdays.

Agnus Day