Come to the Waters: An Invitation to Baptism
Q: What do you ask of God's church?A: To hear God's word with you.Q: What do you seek from God's word?A: Faith and fullness of life.
-- from Evangelical Lutheran Worship's "Welcome to Baptism"
From the earliest times, the season of Lent has been a period for penitential reflection and preparation for baptism. The forty days of Lent provide all Christians with the opportunity to consider what it means to live a "cross-shaped" life. The apostle Paul writes,
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (Rom. 6:3-4)
For those of us who were baptized as infants these forty days are a chance to consider how that act has shaped our lives, how we have continually "died" to the vision and values of a world that treats people like objects and objects like people. To encourage one another in disciplines of fasting, generosity and prayer that deepen our solidarity with the overlooked places and people for whom Christ willingly laid down his life.For others, these forty days may be a time of preparation for adult baptism. As Lutherans we rejoice when people of any age, from infancy to old age, are brought to the waters of baptism. We affirm that it is God's grace, not our will, acting in this sacrament. That in these waters God makes visible what has remained hidden from us and the world around us: that we are created, redeemed and sustained by a loving God who answers our violence and sin with forgiveness and grace. As we walk with adults who are preparing to receive the sacrament of baptism, we find our own faith strengthened and renewed.On Sunday, February 22nd we will be recognizing those adults in our community who have made the decision to be baptized. In our worship that day and throughout the season of Lent we will be instructing those preparing for baptism in the history and significance of this sacrament of the church. Baptism will take place at the Easter Vigil and/or the Sundays of Easter, as appropriate.If you have not previously been baptized and are considering baptism at this moment in your life, or if you would like to be part of the process of accompanying the catechumens (those preparing for baptism), please contact Pastor Erik.