Invitation — Psalm 118:24
"The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 12
Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Everyone lies to their neighbor;
they flatter with their lips
but harbor deception in their hearts.
May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue —
those who say,
"By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us — who is lord over us?"
"Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
I will now arise," says the Lord.
"I will protect them from those who malign them."
And the words of the Lord are flawless,
like silver purified in a crucible,
like gold refined seven times.
You, Lord, will keep the needy safe
and will protect us forever from the wicked,
who freely strut about
when what is vile is honored by the human race.
Bible Reading — Mark 1:4-8
And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for our role as caretakers of creation
- for wise stewardship of our physical resources
Prayer — HC 69
Triune God, every day as I wash up or do dishes, I have a fresh reminder of your baptismal promise: as certainly as water washes away dirt, so does the blood of Jesus and his Spirit scrub away my soul's stubborn stains — all my sins. Thank you for immersing me into Jesus, his sacrifice for me, and his everlasting life. Amen.
Blessing — Romans 8:15-16
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."