Today’s Worship:

The Baptism of Our Lord celebrates Jesus entering the waters of the Jordan, where He is baptized by John and publicly revealed as God’s beloved Son. The heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice declares His approval. This moment marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry and shows Him stepping fully into the human story—standing with sinners, taking their place, and sanctifying the waters of baptism for all who follow.

Lectionary Reading

Old Testament

Joshua 3:1-3, 13-17

Israel follows the Ark of the Covenant to the Jordan, and when the priests step into the river, the waters stop, and the people cross on dry ground, showing God leading them into the Promised Land.

Psalm

Psalm 50: 1-15 or Psalm 85 (v9)

Epistle

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Paul reminds believers that God didn’t call them because of their status or strength. Instead, God chooses what the world sees as weak or insignificant to reveal His wisdom and overturn human pride. Everything they have—wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption—comes from Christ alone, so their only true boast is in the Lord.

Gospel

Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13–17 tells the moment Jesus comes to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. John hesitates, sensing the reversal—he should be baptized by Jesus—but Jesus insists that this is the right way to “fulfill all righteousness.” As Jesus rises from the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” It marks the public beginning of Jesus’ ministry and reveals Him as the Spirit‑anointed Son of God.