I was not preaching this week, I was baptising a child instead, so there is no sermon to post.
Instead, how about the Prayer over the Water. It is worth mulling over.
Lord God, well-spring of life,
in your love and justice, you use the gift of water
to declare your saving power.
In the beginning your Spirit moved over the face of the waters.
By the gentle dew, the steady rain,
you nourish and give increase to all that grows;
you make the desert a watered garden.
You command the wildness of the waves;
when the storm rages you calm our fear;
in the stillness you lead us to a deeper faith.
In the life-giving rivers and the rainbow
Israel discerned your mercy.
You divided the Red Sea to let them pass from slavery in Egypt
to freedom in the Promised Land.
In the waters of Jordan penitents found forgiveness
in the baptism of John.
There, Jesus your beloved child was anointed with the Holy Spirit,
that he might bring us to the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Bring those who are baptised in this water,
with Christ through the waters of death,
to be one with him in his resurrection.
Send your Holy Spirit to sustain them, with all your people,
to be hope and strength to one another and to the world.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.
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