Genesis: 1-5, Ps 29, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." [Mark 1:4-11]
Baptism, for some a rite of initiation and adoption into the Christian faith, for others a sacrament of the Christian Church, required by some, deemed unimportant by others. Whether by aspersion (sprinkling), affusion (pouring), immersion (total or partial, standing or kneeling, or submersion), as an infant, child, or adult, water is the channel of holiness, although there is admission through Baptism of Desire - if you want it, you have it. But John is clear that only Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit. Yet many of us who have been baptized as infants or, even as older children or adults, take this Blessing for granted.
There is credible historical evidence, outside of the Gospel descriptions, of the Baptism of Jesus and it is considered the beginning of his Ministry. We are called by Jesus to follow, why not begin at the beginning? The words of an old Negro Spiritual say it best. God will trouble the water - stir it up - so we can see the right place to enter:
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water
Look over yonder, what do you see?
God's a-going to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me
God's a-going to trouble the water
From the waters of Creation, to the waters of Baptism, Christ is our bridge over waters troubled and calm and who comes to set our souls ablaze with the infusion of the Holy Spirit. Whether baptized before now or not, it's time to be refreshed and renewed as we begin our own ministry again. Come on in, the water is fine. ... there is more: http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2015/01/prayers-of-people-wade-in-water-1st.html
Baptism, for some a rite of initiation and adoption into the Christian faith, for others a sacrament of the Christian Church, required by some, deemed unimportant by others. Whether by aspersion (sprinkling), affusion (pouring), immersion (total or partial, standing or kneeling, or submersion), as an infant, child, or adult, water is the channel of holiness, although there is admission through Baptism of Desire - if you want it, you have it. But John is clear that only Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit. Yet many of us who have been baptized as infants or, even as older children or adults, take this Blessing for granted.
There is credible historical evidence, outside of the Gospel descriptions, of the Baptism of Jesus and it is considered the beginning of his Ministry. We are called by Jesus to follow, why not begin at the beginning? The words of an old Negro Spiritual say it best. God will trouble the water - stir it up - so we can see the right place to enter:
Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water
Look over yonder, what do you see?
God's a-going to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me
God's a-going to trouble the water
From the waters of Creation, to the waters of Baptism, Christ is our bridge over waters troubled and calm and who comes to set our souls ablaze with the infusion of the Holy Spirit. Whether baptized before now or not, it's time to be refreshed and renewed as we begin our own ministry again. Come on in, the water is fine. ... there is more: http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2015/01/prayers-of-people-wade-in-water-1st.html
Thanks to Christiana Brennan Lee, sidebar
PLANNING TRAVEL TO GUATEMALA?
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| St. Alban Mission chapel, Casa Convento Concepcion |
You are invited to join us for English services every Sunday at Noon.
Casa Convento Concepcion, Antigua Guatemala, All are welcome.
See welcome letter at the sidebar.
St. Alban English Mission, Antigua, Guatemala is an outreach project of The St. James English parish, Episcopal Diocese of Guatemala, IARCA
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The Most Reverend Armando Guerra Soria, Rector of St. Alban Mission, Bishop of Guatemala and Primate of Central America
The Rev. Ricardo FrohmaderAssociate MinisterSaint Alban Episcopal MissionAntigua Guatemala
2366 0599; 3344 9641
You are invited to join us for English services every Sunday at Noon.
Casa Convento Concepcion, Antigua Guatemala, All are welcome.
See welcome letter at the sidebar.
St. Alban English Mission, Antigua, Guatemala is an outreach project of The St. James English parish, Episcopal Diocese of Guatemala, IARCA
The Most Reverend Armando Guerra Soria, Rector of St. Alban Mission, Bishop of Guatemala and Primate of Central America
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The Rev. Ricardo Frohmader Associate Minister Saint Alban Episcopal Mission Antigua Guatemala 2366 0599; 3344 9641 |