Words of Welcome

Acts 8:26-40 What’s your baptism story? I’ll confess that mine is a bit complicated. It starts at the Catholic hospital where I was born. Apparently, the nurses baptized me just in case I didn’t survive. That baptism was followed by one at my parent’s Episcopal Church. I don’t remember either of them, but I do remember being immersed in a creek when I was seventeen. Then there’s the baptism in the Spirit that I experienced a bit later. So, I believe I’ve covered all the bases. Your story might be similar or it might be different, but whatever it is, this morning we have the opportunity to remember and reaffirm our baptisms as we witness Richard’s baptism.    We’ve already heard a baptism story from the Book of Acts that’s rooted in the commission Jesus gave to his followers at his ascension. Jesus told them that before long the Holy Spirit would empower them so they could proclaim the Gospel of Jesus to the entire world, starting in Jerusalem ( Acts 1:8 ).  One of t...

Acts 8:14-17 Last Sunday we celebrated Epiphany by joining the magi in giving homage to the one who is the light of the world. Today we celebrate another epiphany by remembering the baptism of Jesus.  After John baptized him, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove, and Jesus heard God declare from the heavens:  “You are my Son, the Beloved, with you I am well pleased.”( Luke 3:21-22 ). Since this is Baptism of Jesus Sunday, we have the opportunity to reaffirm our own baptisms and hear God say of us: “You are my beloved child.”  With this reaffirmation, we’re reminded that we not only have been baptized in water, we have been baptized with the Holy Spirit.