baptismThere is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.

Once again, we celebrate as some of our young people affirm their Baptisms. We listen to them profess their faith in Christ Jesus and take ownership of their relationship with the Lord. They will be asked:

Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:

to live among God’s faithful people,

to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper,

to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed,

to serve all people, following the example of Jesus,

and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth?

These are the same promises made at every Baptism. These are the same promises parents make to their children at their Baptism. These are the same promises made by new members. These are the same promises adults make when they are baptized. These promises are a vow to God and to the whole Body of Christ to continue in the covenant God has made with us.

It is not all about us though. We also hear God’s promise: At the onset of the rite, we begin our prayer: “Merciful God, we thank you that you have made us your own by water and the Word in baptism. You have called us to yourself, enlightened us with the gifts of your Spirit, and nourished us in the community of faith.” We give thanks to the Lord for blessing us and making us His own. At the conclusion of the rite, we pray: “We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin, and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence both now and forever.” We recognize again what God does in Holy Baptism and give Him thanks.

Martin Luther found it helpful to remind himself every morning that he was a baptized child of God. Sometimes we can get caught up in the busyness of life and need that same reminder. In a world full of temptation and craziness, we do need to be reminded who we are and whose we are. The Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal includes an option for the entire congregation to reaffirm their Baptisms to give us a way to remember.

You are a child of God. You have been claimed by the Father, forgiven and accepted through Christ, and anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit. The grace and peace of God which surpass all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the crucified and risen Christ Jesus. Amen.

In Christ,

Pastor Carla

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:27)