Candidate Sermon on January 8, 2012
by Reverend Shannon Meacham

For her candidate sermon, Rev. Meacham preached on Mark 1: 4-11 from the lectionary:

"This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.  His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

"John announced: "Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am?so much greater that I'm not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!"

"One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.  As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him[e] like a dove.  And a voice from heaven said, "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy." "

Listen to her candidate sermon here:

Or download it using this link:

 Rev Meacham Candidate Sermon