Baptism Story

I was five when I was escorted, by my parents,

to the front of the Sanctuary to be Baptized.

I was five.

There were many things I could not do and

did not know at five.

But there were some things I did know then,

and remember to this day.

I know that I was loved.

I remember standing with my parents.

I remember the gentle voice of Dr. Snipes.

I remember seeing people in the congregation

that had already spent time playing with me

in the church nursery and teaching me in the Sunday

school room.

I could not recite Scripture.

I could not speak of doctrine.

I did not yet know how to formulate a

profession of faith. But I knew that

I was loved.

Water dripped down my burr top head.

Prayers and vows offered on my behalf

brought alive God's ancient covenant.

"I will establish my covenant between me

and you, and your offspring after you

throughout their generations, for an

everlasting covenant, to be God to you

and to your offspring after you."

Genesis 17:7

I've spent my life responding with deep

gratitude that God loved me long before

I knew anything about God's love.

With gratitude....when I could speak for myself

I stood before the congregation

and professed my belief in Jesus Christ.

"Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you

turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil

and its power in the world. I do.

Who is your Lord and Savior?

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.

Will you be Christ's faithful disciple,

obeying his Word and showing his love?

I will, with God's help."

With gratitude I rejoice that I am a child of

the covenant.

With gratitude I celebrate that the Sacrament

of Baptism is forever a reminder that God chose

to love me.

"You did not chose me but I chose you."

John 15:16