Welcome to our Worship on the first Sunday after Epiphany. At present St Thomas' Church is allowed to remain open for our Parish Eucharist at 10 am, but that may change at any time. You are welcome to join us, but we must stress that if you are in a vulnerable category it is much safer for you to worship at home. If you do attend in person please do remember the rules about safe distancing and mingling with others outside your own household or support bubble. Our visiting Priest this morning is Revd John Faraday, but if you can't be with us in person, you'll find everything you need to worship from home here on this page.
Our first hymn today is "God Forgave My Sin"
Today's Gospel
Mark 1:4-11
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.”
Reflection -
Throughout Advent we have heard a number of times about John the Baptist, including the powerful Gospel of John we heard on Christmas Day. For those of you that were fortunate enough to be able to get to worship at St. Thomas you will have also heard David’s sermon about the significance of this scripture.
Today, the Sunday after Epiphany, we hear of the role John plays in the Baptism of Christ and more importantly the Holy Spirit and God the Father. As John had foretold, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me… I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
Even though the event is told in all the Gospels, it is hard for us to imagine what it must have been like as these powerful events unfolded. There were queues of people waiting to be baptised by John in the River Jordan. People standing in shallows maybe up to their ankles or up to their thighs in water and then this young man steps forward. He approaches John the Baptist who immediately recognises Jesus saying “This is he of whom I said, after me cometh a man who is become before me: for he was before me.”
At first John was reluctant to baptise Jesus saying it should be Jesus who should baptise John. But he does as Jesus asks. Jesus is immersed in the water and then as he emerges the heavens are rent apart and the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus. Then, just as you were thinking you’d seen it all, a voice speaks from the heavens. All of this fulfils the prophecy that John has predicted.
The absolute significance is the role of the Holy Spirit and the Father combining with Jesus – the presence of the Holy Trinity is complete. John has thus far been proclaiming baptism for the repentance and forgiveness using water. Jesus receives the Holy Spirit and will thereafter lead us all to a new path of forgiveness through him.
It was a sign that in Jesus’ world, sin would be handled differently, because the Holy Spirit was going to soon take up residence in our bodies, and make us a Temple.
When Jesus went out to be baptised in the river Jordan, God didn’t just speak to him, God claimed him.
“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
By doing so, not only did God claim Jesus as His Son, but he also declared that through him we can all be redeemed. Through him we can all be baptised with the Holy Spirit.
Later on, toward the close of his ministry, Jesus himself makes clear that baptism leads to a new way of life. When the brothers James and John ask to be seated next to Jesus in the life to come, Jesus points out that “the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized” (Mark 10:39). To be baptized in Jesus is to follow him.
Our prayers -
Creator God, we praise and worship you for your infinite power and love.
We thank you that you have washed us clean and that you continue to inspire and refresh us with your presence.
Remind us daily of our baptism in Christ
and the ever-present possibility of a fresh start
and new beginning in Him day by day.
You have called us to be a temple
where the Holy Spirit can dwell.
Give us clean hands and pure hearts
so that our lives will reflect your holiness.
Lord, remind me that I too can bear your seal of approval.
I am marked by your Spirit,
Let me hear your voice,
And know that I have a purpose and a destiny.
Come Holy Spirit.
Fill me.
Baptise me.
Energise me
Amen
And today's final hymn is "Come Down O Love Divine"
