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O n All Saints Sunday, Shepherd celebrated
that
over this past year there have been 49 baptisms
at our church. This, of
course, is a very significant
number for it represents that our congregation is
blessed
with many young families. It insures that our
children’s ministry will multiply and grow. And
all
these baptisms also show that our church is reaching
out to many guests
and new worshippers who want to
connect and get involved.
Shepherd’s beliefs about baptism are centered in the
Biblical truths
that this rite is not magic. It is not a
"fire insurance policy" that guarantees that this person
will go to heaven no matter what. And the purpose of
baptism is not to make a person part of
a denomination,
the idea that one is baptized Lutheran, or Catholic, or
Methodist,
or Episcopalian, or whatever.
Rather, baptism is into the Christian life, into Christ
himself. It is not
intended to make one a Lutheran, but
to make one a Christian. It is a sacred act that affirms
God’s grace and promises, which is also symbolized in
the physical use of water.
And yet the key message of baptism is that a person be
nurtured in a relationship
with Jesus, and that they worship
and learn to know Jesus as their Savior. For the
Bible says that only the person "who believes and
is
baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16).
Martin Luther, in his Small Catechism explanation to
the question, " What Does Baptism Mean For Daily
Living?" said these words, "It means that
our old sinful
self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be
drowned
through daily repentance, and that day after
day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness
and purity forever."
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Notice from Martin Luther’s words that baptism is not
simply a ticket to, nor
a guarantee that a person will go
to heaven no matter what. It is not a designation that
everyone baptized is a Christian no matter how they
live or what they believe.
Rather, baptism is an adoption into Jesus’ family that
calls us to
live and grow in faith. And that faith is centered
in daily repentance, daily renewal, and daily affirming
and living in God’s will and promises. And that’s why
Shepherd’s ministry
to children, parents,and families is
so important. For if parents are following`through
on the
promises they make at their children’s
baptisms, they need to be worshipping faithfully
and growing in their own faith.
And since a Christ-centered home is the best faith incubator,
our children’s
programs and learning at Shepherd
are intended to enhance and support what needs to be
happening in the home. And the ultimate goal is that
our children grow up knowing and believing
in Jesus
throughout their whole life.
Shepherd’s fall stewardship emphasis centered in the
theme, "Investing In Changing Lives." May we remember
that as we generously invest our personal and
financial
support in the mission of Shepherd, that lives
are being changed through baptism and faith development.
God’s promises are alive as we truly live out our
baptismal
promises each day.
If there are any adults, youth, or older children who have
not been baptized, we invite you to share this sacrament
centered in God’s promises. For
an older child or adult,
baptism is a very special affirmation of God’s grace to
us, as well as a public way of affirming our faith and
intentions to grow as God’s child.
Baptism classes are
offered regularly, plus personal instruction and discussion
with
one of us pastors is available to anyone.
May we remember in our prayers these 49 children and
adults who were baptized
this past year, as well as all
the baptized children and adults in our church. May we
pray for one another, that these promises of Jesus may
live in each heart, and that each one
may grow each day
in their faith and in being one of God's disciples.
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