January 13, 2019
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am


Prayer of the Day
Almighty God, you anointed Jesus at his baptism with the Holy Spirit and revealed him as your beloved Son. Keep all who are born of water and the Spirit faithful in your service, that we may rejoice to be called children of God, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture readings
Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29:1-11 
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, Luke 3: 21-22

Sermon 
"In Over Your Head"
Isaiah 43:1-7; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
God’s people were underwater. The note on the Promised Land had come due and they were sent from their homes into exile in Babylon. All seemed lost. Through Isaiah, God speaks a word of hope. The people might be in over their heads, but the God who made them has redeemed them. God is in the water with them. The saving work of this God came to earth on Christmas as a baby named Jesus. Today, we see a grown-up Jesus go down to the Jordan and take his place with the people. They are swamped by occupation and injustice, by sin and death. Jesus, as one of them and as God, goes under the water with them. In our baptism, we are pulled out of the raging waters with Jesus. We might be in over our heads, but Jesus is under the water with us. Jesus will lead us through to a new Promised Land.

Hymns

In our prayers we remember Valparaiso University.

Education hour at 9:45am

Sunday School and Pre-Confirmation  classes meet in their regular locations.
Confirmation students meet with their mentors in Fellowship Hall.

2018-19 Faith Formation Calendar

Adult Education

Christian Living With St. Ignatius
Harry Parker, former pastor at First Baptist Church, Oak Park

The practices of Ignatian spirituality, based on the experiences and insights of the16th-century Catholic theologian Ignatius of Loyola, are designed to foster self-awareness and help Christians better discern God’s will for their lives. Pastor Parker will talk about how he discovered these practices and how he, as a Baptist minister, has found them important in his own spiritual life.

Adult Ed schedule for January 2019

The Sunday morning Bible study group will not meet on January 13.

The Grace Church Library is open and staffed on Sundays from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Look for books related to Adult Ed topics as well as many other subjects. The library is also open for self-service during the week.