Every Sunday, across the world, Christians share an agreed three year cycle of Bible Readings in Sunday worship, this is called the Common Lectionary. We offer materials including prayers bible study and worship resources for each one of these Sunday's via our Lectionary Bible Notes Section.

January 9 Christmas 1

Christmas has only just taken place and we are already thinking about the baptism of Jesus - Why?

Well Jesus has been born, but who is he?

If he is the Son of God, then why is he here, what is his purpose on earth.?

The baptism of Jesus marks the time when Jesus sets out on his public ministry. He chooses to do so not in the religious establishment, but rather at the hands of a man outside the system, somebody who will soon be executed. Jesus is making a statement, that he bringing something very different from the religious norm. Jesus is standing alongside the ordinary people in the desert, not with royalty in the king's palace.

Moreover at the baptism we hear the voice of God, Jesus has chosen well, and God gives him the Holy Spirit to empower him for the task ahead.

This is the time of year when we remember how Jesus demonstrated his commitment to the ministry to which he was called. We are told that it was while Jesus was praying that the wonderful events occurred. The miraculous Baptism was not something out of the blue, but rather something to confirm what Jesus had known all along. We know this form the events last week where Jesus went missing at the age of 12. He knew that he was in the right place when he was found in the temple. Jesus has spent two decades growing in his understanding of the service which he knew he must offer, and the sacrifice which he knew he must make. Here is the baptism experience to affirm him in his role and prepare him for the journey ahead.

As we affirm our baptism vows, we too should expect the energy of God to be present in our lives. Perhaps we too will hear that quiet voice inside which tells us that God is with us and will empower us to walk the path which he has set before us.

To read more click here

Read or listen to sermons

Read this week's prayers

Lectionary Material for every Sunday in Years A, B, C

Material for Harvest Festival

Each morning and each evening
let the peace of the Father, be ours.
Each day and each night
let the peace of the Son be ours.
Each dawn and each dusk
let the peace of the Spirit be ours.
Let the blessing of the three in one be ours;
both now and for ever. Amen.
Carmina Gadelica