Sunday 11th January 2026 - THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD

REFLECTION: Isaiah 42:1-9 “The Servant of the Lord”

What is it you look for in a leader?

If you were God, and you were going to send the earth a leader to rescue

humanity from the mess we have gotten ourselves into, what would that leader

be like? Would you choose a warrior, an orator, a diplomat, a business leader, a

strategist, a philosopher, or a great intellectual?

We find here in Isaiah 42 that the one that God delights in and that has been

chosen as his instrument is first of all a servant. This is a surprise. Servants

usually get the bottom job, not the top job. This servant pleases God because he

submits himself willingly to all that God commands and his greatest joy in life is

to please and to glorify God through his life and his daily obedience. Here is an

outline of the message.

Here is my servant

The one I have chosen (1)

The one in whom my soul delights

The one I have filled with my Spirit

This is what he will do

He will be humble: he will not cry or lift up his voice (2)

He will be gentle: a bruised reed he will not break (3)

He will not grow faint until he has established justice in the earth (1, 3, 4, and 6)

He sends his servant as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations (6)

He will open the eyes that are blind and bring out the prisoners (7)

What does it mean for us to follow “The Servant”

All of the above... “I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I

have done for you” (John 13:15)

To Think About:

Do I have a servant heart?

Am I here to serve or to be served?

Hymns:

TIS 270 On Jordan’s bank the Baptist cries

The Spirit of the Lord (Kendrick)

TIS 607 Make me a channel of your peace

TIS 215 You servants of God

WATERING

We have lots of new plants that we have planted at our working bees. If you can

help with the watering, please see Jane Peters.

UPDATE TO PRAYER LIST

In January we will be updating the list of names for intercessions. It has come to

our attention that some names on the list are for people who have either

recovered or died. In order to keep the list up to date and our prayers up to date,

we will be removing all names shortly and inviting people to add names again

only for people who are currently in need of prayer.

A BIG THANK YOU

To all the folk who have been helping with the gardening and watering. As we

have so many new plants, it is important to keep them watered in these hot

spells. Thank you for your help.

WEDNESDAY GROWTH GROUP AND SUNDAY SCHOOL

Are both in recess over the holiday period.

FOR SALE TODAY AFTER 10am SERVICE

Various jams, $5 each

Plum, mixed fruit, Marmalade

Preserved lemon & Watermelon Konfyt

OUR CHRISTMAS APPEAL

This year is supporting the building of St Paul's Anglican Church in Kodak,

South Sudan. Envelopes are in the pews. If you have questions, please ask

Oyem. Give generously.

LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 17th January – Heinz & Rusty

THIS WEEK WE PRAY FOR: Berwick Anglican Church; The Diocese of

Melbourne; Anglican Development Fund; The Anglican Church in Central

America.

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 18th January:

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40. 1-14; Acts 1Corinthians:1.1-9-43; John 1:29-42

THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: Mike, Cecil, Ruth, Eva,

Nigel, Jen, Ted, Patty, Melenny, Noel, Dean, Amy, Paul, Charles, Alan, Sally,

Marla, Robert, Sherene, Shereen & Gloria.