This Sunday we continue our theme of Heaven and Earth by looking at the messenger sent to prepare the way, John the Baptist. In the wilderness, John proclaims that God is on the way, a savior is coming. So, get ready! Prepare the way!

Just continuing in the path we're on requires no preparation. But God interrupts our lives. God claims us in baptism, declaring we belong not only to ourselves, but to our Creator. And because we belong to God, we are called to repent, to change our ways, to let God work in us and transform us. 

At Living Hope, we celebrated this baptismal promise in a special way with Weston Franzen's baptism, in which he is claimed in the waters of baptism, washed clean, and named forever as a child of God.

Today's Scripture readings are 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Psalm 139:1-2, 5, 7-12, 16-18; and Mark 1:1-8

Learn more about Christ the King Lutheran Church in Port Washington and Living Hope Lutheran in Saukville, Wisconsin at https://www.livinghopesaukville.org/ or https://ctkport.org/.