This First Sunday after Epiphany (Jan 6) is usually Baptism of Our Lord Sunday. Matthew 3:13-17 spells it out. That doesn’t mean it’s that easy to understand tho! Why should sinless Jesus need Baptism?

More to the personal….what about you and me? The church has traditionally encouraged Baptism as the initial moment of entry into the church also known as the Body of Christ or the Fellowship of Brothers and Sisters in Christ. The community of faith. And accompanied by at least the other Sacrament, Holy Communion. It’s hard to understand why someone would not present their infants for Baptism or present oneself as a teen or adult for Baptism at some point in life. As a hospital chaplain I was the celebrant for many a baptism in the Critical Care Nursery or for adults whose lives seemed threatened or illness had brought to mind the desire for baptism later in life. It is the one initial spiritual act that is practiced by most Christian communions (even if the understanding of its mode or significance differs!). Even Quakers or The Society of Friends who don’t ordinarily practice water baptism, do believe in what baptism signifies.

So, this Sunday we will Celebrate together The Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant UMH (p 50). For Those who have yet to be Baptized they can look forward to that day or at least ask questions about Baptism. Parents of infants and children can listen carefully to what that covenant is meant to be. And for those Baptized as Infants we can see how personal faith of others and our own personal faith at Confirmation go hand in hand with Baptism.

So, think of water and the spirit as you prepare for worship this week. Water as from the created world, spirit as given by the Creator.

Remember your Baptism!!

Grace and Peace to All~+

Pastor Barry