Spiritual Water
Matthew 3:13-17 | January 8, 2023 | Rev. Henry F. Curtis IV
Digital Bulletin
The Doxology
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Call to Worship
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my
God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
(Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122:9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God.
(Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in His holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord; all the earth sing praises. (Psalm 98:1, 4)
Matthew 3:13-17 (RSV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he consented.
16 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him;
17 and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Abridged Decalogue
From all that dwell below the skies, Let thy Creator’s praise arise; Let thy Redeemer’s name be sung, Through every land by every tongue.
Minister: And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law.
Nearer my God, to thee! Nearer to thee, E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me; Still all my song shall be. Nearer my God to thee, Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee.
Minister: Hear what Christ our Savior saith. Thou shall love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments, hang all the law and the prophets.