Epiphany – waters of life

11th January 2025

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A reading from Mark 1:1-3, 9-11

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”— a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

As in the beginning the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, 

so were the waters parted and the earth came into being.

Praise to you all encompassing God.

As in the beginning the earth responded to the Word of God,

so land and sea, rivers and mountains and oceans came into being.

Praise to you all encompassing God.

As from the beginning rains and water soaked the earth, 

so herbs and plants and trees came into being.

Praise to you all encompassing God.

As from the beginning all manner of vegetation flourished,

so the fruits in their season provide food for all living beings. 

Praise to you all encompassing God.

As from the beginning the Word of God has been a constant source of wisdom, 

so your people have been guided and inspired.

Praise to you all encompassing God.

As the Spirit of God hovers over the waters of the Jordan, 

so in baptism the Son of God was made manifest.

Praise to you all encompassing God.

As the waters were blessed through the Word of God, 

so all who are baptised are made one in Christ.

Praise to you all encompassing God.

Holy God, Spirit and Word, 

as we seek make sense of our human failings, 

as we seek to heal the damage we have caused, 

and as we seek to love and cherish all that you have created, 

prepare for us a way to follow.

Amen.