The “Splish Splash” of Church Life

It started, so appropriately, in Lent this year. Since Lent was originally a time for new converts to prepare for baptism, on Wednesdays we studied Martin Luther’s comments on baptism in his Small Catechism. We sang, we prayed, we studied, we lit candles…but no water. We were preparing. 
 
And it’s a good thing we did! Because the flood gates of sacramental grace opened in this church! God has been doing some fabulous things with water!
 

• The font, which for Lent was moved to the sanctuary entrance, was water filled and flower adorned, in preparation for the festival to come. 
• I will never forget the joy of two baptisms we experienced at the Easter Vigil this year, as two elementary aged youth spoke for us all when asked in the liturgy “Do you renounce the devil and all his empty promises?” by answering “I renounce them!”
• Since then, nearly every week of Eastertide, we have had at least one baptism in worship in our worships. While it is unlikely given the size of our parish that every worshipper knows the baptized (and baptizing family/sponsor) I sense our whole community excited and engaged each time. I’ve noticed worshippers vying for seats with a better view. 
• Even online the camera focuses on the baptism “up close.”  (Thank you, AV volunteers!) What a wonderful gift that a video of one’s baptism can be downloaded from our website and watched again and again over the years.
• In sadness, but with hope, we also evoked our baptismal promises at the burial of several members as well. The promises of baptism are eternal and we know from experience that they bring us comfort throughout our lives. Even our deaths. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
• In three weeks, on the Day of Pentecost, as we celebrate the Holy Spirit being “poured out” on the disciples, a sizeable group of young people will “confirm” the promises others made for them at their baptisms, taking their rightful place among us “adult followers” of Jesus. Keep riding the wave, young friends!
   

So … from the palm branch sprinkling at the vigil…to our daily making the sign of the cross in remembrance of our own baptisms…there’s a lot of water being thrown around this Church. Thankfully, faithfully, joyfully so!
 
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
 
Pastor Jim