The Baptism of Our Lord
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 11am


Prayer of the Day
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. Amen.

Scripture readings
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29:1-11
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11

Sermon
"Perks and Re-creation"
Genesis 1:1-5; Mark 1:4-11
In the beginning, in the chaos of water, the Spirit brooded and the Word was spoken. But in sin, the world was broken. In the new beginning, in the chaos of wilderness, the Word breaks forth to bring in the Spirit. In both beginnings, the mysterious relationships of the Triune God are overlaid upon creation, that the Word would be heard and the Spirit made known. In the new beginning, Jesus speaks this Word from within creation, re-creating us and all things through the waters of baptism. On this festival of the Baptism of Our Lord, we hear again of this new beginning, this re-creation, this spirited Word that will not be silenced.

Hymns

In our prayers we remember the Center for Christian Education in Martin, Slovakia. 

Education hour at 9:45am

Children and youth

Sunday School, Pre-Confirmation, Confirmation and Teen Talk students  and their families are all invited to the gym for an Epiphany festival.  

Adult Education

Christians Engaging Israel
David Heim 
The term “Israel” refers to a land, a people, a religious tradition, and a nation state. Christians have often struggled to understand how these four realities are distinct yet intertwined. Two classes (January 7 and 14) will consider scriptural and historical texts that can help Christians better engage with contemporary Judaism and better understand the dynamics of contemporary Israel. 

The Sunday morning Bible study group meets in the lower-level conference room.

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.

Download the 2017-2018 Sunday School and Confirmation Schedule.