Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Divine Service

The Baptism of Our Lord

The word “Epiphany” and the word “manifest” go together. The Epiphany season (a short season in the church which lasts between 3-6 weeks) is a time where Christ is manifested, shown, and revealed for who He is. If Christmas focused our attention upon the humanity of God, the Epiphany season shows us that this little child in the manger is none other than the Son of God Who comes with the power of God to save us. This week we enter the waters of the Jordan with Christ. We see and hear His baptism. As the water pours down on His head through the hand of John the Baptist, heaven opens, and the Spirit comes down from heaven in visible form and alights (stays) on Jesus. The Father’s voice is audibly heard declaring Christ to be His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. Christ’s ministry begins in the waters of Holy Baptism, where He gains His calling to be the Spirit-filled Sin-Bearer. Through His Work He will bestow the life-giving Spirit of God to all flesh who come and receive His Word & Work.

The bulletin can be found here.

The sermon text can be found here.

An audio recording of the sermon is available: