Dear Brothers and Sisters,
What an incredibly special day we will celebrate this coming Sunday with the Baptism of baby Grace Cathy Steuerwalt, daughter of Jesika and Ben Steuerwalt and baby sister of James!
It will be our first Baptism since COVID closed us down to public worship. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. It is community building and family bonding!
The prayer for the newly baptized is one of my absolute favorites in the Book of Common Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy
Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant, Grace Cathy, the
forgiveness of sin, and have raised her to the new life of
grace. Sustain her, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit.Give her an inquiring and discerning heart,
the courage to will and to persevere,
a spirit to know and to love you,
and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.”
Each of us will have an opportunity to RENEW our own Baptismal Covenant at this powerful service of Holy Baptism. I hope and pray you will make every effort to be present to welcome this newest member of God’s One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Please note that, while masks are still mandatory, we have made provision for those for whom wearing a mask for an hour is intolerable (those with certain COPD issues, breathing issues etc.). For those dealing with this hardship, we have made the last two rows of pews available for you. Please do not stay away if you have a medical reason for not wearing a mask.
Let us rejoice in our hope in the most blessed sacrament of Baptism. This is GOOD NEWS. THE BEST NEWS!
My friends, may we continue to be one in the Spirit. And let us continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Jane+