This week we will observe Baptism of the Lord Sunday. We’ll hear again the story of Jesus’ baptism (Mark 4:1-11), and stepping into the water once again, we’ll remember our baptism, or look forward to the day when we will be baptized into life with Christ. Baptism reminds us of who we are, a people who are loved by God and who are made for relationship with God. So, we begin this new year in hope that it might be more than the year that is past because of Jesus who has joined us in the water.