Baptismal Blessings
Baptism is a visible sign of God's grace.
As Presbyterians, we believe that baptism is a visible sign of the invisible action of God. We are visibly being grafted into the family of God. Both Luther and Calvin agreed that baptism is a sign of God’s grace. Its efficacy does not rest on the person making the profession of faith but on God’s grace given in Christ. of which the sacrament of baptism is a sign and seal. For this reason, I do not hesitate to baptize a child regardless of age. In my last call, as moderator for another church, I baptized seven children and the father all at once. The children had all been newly adopted, and it was their adoptive parents’ wish that they be baptized. You can imagine that it was a joyous event!
For the children being baptized this year, they will be received by our congregation with the hope that one day they will profess their faith in Jesus Christ.
In essence, the sacraments of both baptism and the Lord’s Supper are a sign of hospitality in that the faith community is making a space for each of us. They are an extension of God’s hospitality and friendship to God’s creation.
As a church, we say that people “enter as guest and leave as family. Starting this coming Sunday, we will experience our living out of this mission. In fact, we will be celebrating both a baptism and receiving of the Lord’s Supper. This weekend, we will baptize James Raymond Reid, child of James & Lilly (Mundt) Reid, and grandson of Jeff and Karen Mundt, who became members earlier this year.
At the time of baptism, I say a prayer for the child, which goes like this:
“Lord, uphold by your Holy Spirit this child. Give Him the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, and the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever. Amen.”
As a pastor, God calls me to be with the people in good times and in tough times. I have always considered it to be a privilege to be present at significant moments of life. Yet I cannot hide the fact that baptizing at least 6 people now through Christmas is going to be a joy! God is truly blessing us in unimaginable ways. May the Lord watch over all our comings and goings this summer!
I thank God for you,
Pastor Kathy Nealand



