A man goes to visit a pastor and tells the pastor that he'd like to change his ways and join the church. He tells the pastor that his wife is trying to get him to join her Presbyterian church where they baptize by sprinkling. He asks the pastor how they do it. The pastor says without the slightest pause, "We walk out into the river and we dunk em." The man says, "well what if we just walk out waist deep - is that good enough?" The pastor says no. The man asks, "well, what if we walk out till I'm up to my shoulders - does that count?" Absolutely not says the pastor. "Well, what if we walk out there until its just the top if my head sticking out?" No way, says the pastor.
The man stands up and says, "I knew it was just the top of the head that counted anyway. I'm going Presbyterian!"
So, baptism seems to be the theme this month.
Ironically, (at least in response to the joke above), we Presbyterians believe that any mode of baptism is equally legitimate. It doesn't matter who does it, or where it is done, or how it is done. We believe that any baptism done in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit is fully effective. Baptism is all about the faithfulness of God and God is fully faithful in baptism whether we're sprinkling a little water on the top of your head, or wading into the river!
What a great day last week when we baptized Will Shaffer into the family of God. I loved that moment, standing there holding Will, looking out at all of you and saying, "Will, we are your family. We are with you in this journey. We are yours."
And we've got another great event coming up this Sunday when Celeste Twombly will be baptized. This special event might be a little different than most baptisms you've observed (at least if you're Presbyterian). I don't want to spoil the surprise, so join us if you can.
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