Organ pipes bellow, trumpet and vibrate filling every corner of one's soul with music so full God's presence is undeniable. During the last few notes of the prelude, just before silence transforms the sanctuary, several members, varying in ages, walk from their pew to the chancel to light candles on the table of communion and to pour water into the baptism font. Some of our favorite moments are when young children participate. Standing on their tip toes they grab hold of the wooden edge of the font and peer into the bowl as the water pours and splashes. Invariably a splash produces a joyful response and a contagious ripple of soft laughter washes over the congregation reminding us of the Psalmist's directive to make a joyful noise in the presence of the Lord.
The flames begin to flicker and the large bowl of the font now filled with water glistens as the sunlight peaks through the window from above. Fire and water speak God's ancient covenant. God behind us. God beside us. God before us. God above us. God below us. God beyond us. God with us.
It is nearly impossible to fill the font without producing a certain amount of splashing water. Oh sure, there exists decent and orderly Christians who can pour water with such precision as to not cause even a ripple. We prefer that the water be poured with such vigor and joy that those on the back row can not help but feel as if they have been splashed by God's grace. But this is not how it has always been....
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