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The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A

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The day Jesus was baptized -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Good morning, boys and girls.

The Immediate Word

God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something

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Emphasis Preaching Journal

On a recent trip to... -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
On a recent trip to a war-torn area in Central America, the visiting bishop was presented
A local service club announced... -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
A local service club announced that it had invited the mayor of a rural town to speak
In compiling one's genealogy, surnames... -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
In compiling one's genealogy, surnames are given the most attention. However, as Angus
Peter, who had denied his... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
Peter, who had denied his Lord three times, summarizes his Lord's earthly ministry and
God shows no partiality. Peter... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
"God shows no partiality." Peter said this about 40 AD in the house of Captain Cornelius.
Dr. Neighbor recalls a baptism... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
Dr. Neighbor recalls a baptism, when the candidate for baptism said, "Please wait one
Many voices ask for our... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
Many voices ask for our attention. There is a voice that says, "Prove that you are a good
Soapy Williams, the governor of... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
Soapy Williams, the governor of Michigan from 1948-1960, was the sole delegate at the
A retired pastor was visiting... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
A retired pastor was visiting one of the churches he served years ago. Since his pastorate
Back in the days when... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2007
Back in the days when high school frosh week meant seniors got to freely lord it over the
Valerie had been a pastor... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
Valerie had been a pastor for several years. She knew her theology.
I've heard it said that... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
I've heard it said that if you combined the flow of all the rivers in the world, you would have to m
Marcion was a man who... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
Marcion was a man who promoted a second-century heresy.
George Ives was the father... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
George Ives was the father of Charles Ives, American composer.
The family reunion was to... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
The family reunion was to be held in the old family church.
John the Baptizer had his... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
John the Baptizer had his priorities right.
I said 'Yes!' to Jesus... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
"I said 'Yes!' to Jesus Christ," the young man witnessed at the weekly Bible study.
She had heard and read... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 2002
She had heard and read the word God spoke to Jesus at his baptism.
A voice from heaven gives... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
A voice from heaven gives a message: this is the Son of God who is a servant king.
A flyer was placed in... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
A flyer was placed in our mail box. It read: "Your business opportunity ...
The SS EthieI... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
The SS Ethie went aground off Newfoundland in surf that would have drowned any human swimmer,
A friend of mine tells... -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
A friend of mine tells the story about a schoolmate who wanted to become a doctor when he grew up.
Many churches have the baptismal... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
Many churches have the baptismal font at the front of the church to remind people of what happens du
The body lay ten feet... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
The body lay ten feet into the alley. Still shaking, Marge stood under the street light.
In my first year of... -- Acts 10:34-43 -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A -- 1999
In my first year of seminary I had the opportunity to be guide and "go-fer" for a distinguished past

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The Immediate Word

God Plays No Favorites -- Acts 10:34-43 -- Carlos Wilton -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Here at The Immediate Word, we think that no preacher should go long without saying something

The Village Shepherd

The Suffering Servant -- Isaiah 42:1-9 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
Back in the heady days when women had just been ordained and I was a new curate, I was in the vestry
A Question Of Baptism -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Janice B. Scott -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - A
I remember, many years ago walking the dog along the riverbank near our home early in the mornin

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New & Featured This Week

Emphasis Preaching Journal

David Kalas
In the sometimes-tiresome debate over science and scripture with respect to creation, it’s easy to become distracted. While the argument typically requires a focus on the how, we may lose sight of the what. And so, for just a moment, let me invite us to think for a moment about what God created.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Acts 8:26-40
As a local church pastor, I was often asked if I would baptize a child whose family were not members of the church. Some churches rebelled against this, but I remember this scripture — the hunger for understanding and inclusion of the Eunuch and Philp’s response — to teach and share and baptize in the name of our God. How could we turn anyone away from the rite of baptism?

StoryShare

Peter Andrew Smith
“Dad, I think you worked a miracle.” Rolf slowly walked around the tree. “After that windstorm, I assumed this tree was as good as gone.”

“We just needed to give the branches time to heal and come back,” Michael replied.

 “I know, but so many of them were battered and broken I figured that it couldn’t recover. Now though it looks just like it did before the storm.” Rolf paused. “Do you think it will bear any fruit this summer?”

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John Jamison
Object: A live plant that produces fruit, and a broken branch from that plant. I used a tomato plant from a local greenhouse. Ideally, find a plant with blossoms or small fruit already growing. If you use a different kind of fruit-producing plant, just change the script to fit.

* * *

Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) Are you ready for our story today? (Let them respond.) Excellent!

The Immediate Word

Christopher Keating
Katy Stenta
Thomas Willadsen
Mary Austin
Elena Delhagen
Dean Feldmeyer
Quantisha Mason-Doll
For April 28, 2024:
  • On The Way To Gaza by Chris Keating based on Acts 8:26-40. On the way to Gaza, Philip discovers the startling ways the Spirit of God moves across borders, boundaries, customs, and traditions.
  • Second Thoughts: Abiding by Katy Stenta based on John 15:1-8.
  • Sermon illustrations by Mary Austin, Tom Willadsen, Elena Delhagen, Dean Feldmeyer.

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Call to Worship:

Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. In our service today, let us absorb from the vine all the nourishment we need.

Invitation to Confession:

Jesus, sometimes our branches become cut off from the vine.
Lord, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes our branches are withered.
Christ, have mercy.

Jesus, sometimes we fail to produce good fruit.
Lord, have mercy.

SermonStudio

Stan Purdum
We will meet Psalm 22 in its entirety on Good Friday, but here the lectionary designates just verses 23-31. The lectionary psalms generally illuminate the week's First Lesson, which in this case is about the covenant initiated by God with Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17. The nine verses from this psalm, while not inappropriate, nonetheless leave us looking for an obvious connection with the First Lesson.

John S. Smylie
I think some people are natural-born gardeners. Our Lord grew up in a society that was familiar with agriculture. The images that he used to explain the ways of his Father in heaven are familiar to his audience. Growing up, my closest experience to agriculture was living in, "the Garden State." Most people, when they pass through New Jersey, are surprised to see that expression on the license plates of vehicles registered in New Jersey. Most folks traveling through New Jersey experience the megalopolis, the corridor between New York City and Washington DC.
Ron Lavin
A pastor in Indiana went to visit an 87-year-old man named Ermil, who was a hospital patient. A member of his church told the pastor about this old man who was an acquaintance. "He's not a believer, but he is really in need," the church member said. "I met him at the county home for the elderly. He's a lonely old man with no family and no money."

Paul E. Robinson
"Love is a many splendored thing...." Or so we heard Don Cornwall and the Four Aces sing time and again. Of course you or I might have other words to describe love, depending on our situation.

Love. "I love you." "I love to play golf." "I just love pistachio lush!" "It's tough to love some people." "Jesus loves me, this I know."

Love.

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