Jesus showed up at the Jordan River to be baptized! Wait, what? He’s the sinless Lamb of God? Why does HE need to be baptized? Through baptism, sinners had their sins washed away. Why would Jesus need to be baptized? He tells John why: “To fulfill all righteousness.” To put it another way, He does it to save sinners. Think of it this way: All those sinners were being baptized and their sins were washed away. When Jesus shows up, it’s to collect and be covered in our sins and the sins of the world so He could carry them to Calvary and there get rid of them by the shedding of His blood. It’s what makes him truly the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” That’s what we hear as we celebrate the Baptism of Our Lord this weekend. (As a special bonus, next Wednesday, we’ll celebrate the First Week after the Epiphany with the story of Jesus in the temple when He was twelve years old).
This Sunday we’ll have a HIGHER THINGS CONFERENCE MEETING at 11 AM. Youth and their parents are invited to attend and find out more and make some plans for the conference this summer. We’re proposing the July 14-17 HT Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you’re not sure whether or not you can attend, come to the meeting anyway and get more information.
It’s F.I.S.H. Food Pantry collection this Sunday. Remember, donating food is great, but for every dollar you give, the Pantry can purchases eight dollars worth of food! Let’s help our neighbors in need by giving generously to our local food pantry.
Fish Drop-Off Box in the Narthex
It’s almost time for our Zion Assistance Program’s Annual ROAST BEEF DINNER. It’s Sunday, January 26. Get your tickets now from the church office or one of our ZAP members. They’re just $10 each for all-you-can eat roast beef and all the trimmings. It’s a delicious dinner for a good cause, helping ZAP raise funds for those in need.
What does your baptism mean to you? In the Large Catechism we are instructed, whenever we are dragged down by the problems and struggles of this life, to cry out, “But I am baptized! And if I am baptized, I know that I shall have eternal life!” It’s the gift that keeps on giving, delivering the salvation and forgiveness Jesus won for you.
See you in the Divine Service!
In Christ,
Pastor Buetow
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