Westminster Worship Notes

Worship Notes Archives

January 13, 2007

Baptism of the Lord Sunday

Preparation for Worship

Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ. Jesus through his own baptism identified himself with sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus in his own baptism was attested Son by the Father and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to undertake the way of the servant manifested in his sufferings, death, and resurrection.

Directory for Worship of the Presbyterian Church USA

Today we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. This service remembers and affirms the covenant of baptism in the life of the church. The opening sentences are taken from Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus where he describes the meaning of our baptisms in terms of our adoption as God's children through the "riches of God's grace." The central text of the service is Matthew's description of the baptism of Jesus. Our proclamation of this story is enacted in the baptism of Elizabeth Grace, whose parents have brought her forward to declare their promises on her behalf. In the Presbyterian church, baptism is an affirmation of God's grace that comes to us before we are even aware of God's love. In this part of the service promises are made by the parents, the godparents, and the congregation. The child is carried out into the congregation to be welcomed as a full participant in the covenant.

This morning we also have the ordination and installation of new officers not previously installed into their positions. In this service we have echoes of baptism as they respond to God's call to serve the congregation and the world. In many ways, their commitment is a fulfillment of their own baptisms. The final hymn sends us out singing "God's banners are o'er us, Pure light goes before us, A pillar of fire shining forth in the night; Till shadows have vanished, All fearfulness banished, As forward we travel from light into Light."