“Therefore, we were buried together with him through baptism into his death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too can walk in newness of life.” – Romans 6:4 CEB
What a celebration we had on Sunday morning, July 20! Over 80 people gathered under the trees on the church grounds to support the five persons being baptized and the 23 persons reaffirming their baptism. The weather was perfect, the water was warm, and the smiles huge. Young and old came to the waters. From 14-month-old Drew to Patti, who is (I’m not telling), and everyone in between, it was a tremendous example of how Jesus calls everyone to “come to me.”
It was also Rivertown Days weekend, so there was a lot of traffic driving by on 15th Street. Many would slow down and crane their necks to get a glimpse of what was going on. What a witness to the community that Jesus is still alive and active in Hastings, and calling people to follow him.
As a pastor, I have done many hundreds of baptisms. Most of them have been in the sacred beauty of a church sanctuary. Others were especially memorable because they took place on the beach of a Minnesota lake. Each one was special because it represented another person added to Christ’s family. But there was so much obvious joy and celebration on the church lawn this past Sunday morning that, even though we weren’t at the beach, it was truly memorable.
In our baptism ritual, the church promises to surround the newly baptized “with a community of love and forgiveness” and to “pray for them that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.” May we keep this vow, not only for those who came forward Sunday, but also for all of our brothers and sisters in Christ at Resurrection.
God bless you,
Pastor Mark
PS. Please pray for the Adult and Teen Challenge Choir as they prepare to lead worship at Resurrection on Sunday, August 3. And also for the campers (and me) on our journey through the Boundary Waters from July 28 – August 1.