You may see all our videos on New Life's YouTube Channel. Our services are also aired in the Lake Zurich area at 1:00 PM on Wednesdays and 5:00 PM on Saturdays on Comcast Channel 4, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 (select "Lake Zurich" as the community channel you want to access).
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Before Service Prayer: Lord of Hope and Light, in the midst of darkness You offered light to people who lived in fear. Today that light comes to us as we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Open our hearts this day and remind us that You have marked us as people of hope and light. Prepare us to serve You by serving Your world. Amen.
Today's Theme BAPTISM IS THE CURE FOR AN IDENTITY CRISIS. "Who is Jesus?" For the longest time, people thought the answer to that question was, "Mary and Joseph's son" or "a carpenter from Nazareth." While true enough, those answers do not adequately describe Jesus. But when Jesus was baptized, God the Father spoke, declaring Jesus true identity. Jesus was the dearly loved Son of God, chosen to be the Savior of the world.
"Who are you?" someone asks. Perhaps you would answer by providing your name. Maybe you would add additional information - where you are from or what you do for a living. Perhaps, in some dark corner of your mind, you would answer negatively. "I'm no one."
We need to understand that none of those things really describes who we are. To answer that question - "Who are you?" - we must look to our baptism. Baptism is the cure for an identity crisis. There, just like He did with Jesus, our Father declares us to be His dearly loved child. Moreover, in baptism God anointed us with power for a life of selfless service. May God grant us this epiphany moment!
Today's Service: Divine Service 3, NPH, reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-800156 and under CCLI license #11327771.
Personal Preparation for Holy Communion: Luther's Christian Questions, p. 295-296 "Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal".
Christian hymns preach Jesus Christ: crucified, risen and seated at God's right hand. The hymns in this service are from "Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal" ©2021 Northwestern Publishing House. Used with permission. Additional hymns: "Christian Worship Supplement" ©2008 Northwestern Publishing House. Used with permission.
You may see all our videos on New Life's YouTube Channel. Our services are also aired in the Lake Zurich area at 1:00 PM on Wednesdays and 5:00 PM on Saturdays on Comcast Channel 4, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 (select "Lake Zurich" as the community channel you want to access).