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Last Sunday we did two biblically important things. We celebrated Baptism with 15 people and we Broke Bread Together. Click for Baptism/Picnic Pics Here
Breaking Bread is eating together and the roots of this ancient practice go back to Communion. The early followers of Jesus regularly shared meals. It was both fellowship and the beginnings of what we would come to know as The Lord's Table. They literally "broke" bread off a loaf and passed it to the next person to break off a piece. Then passed a common cup of wine around. (One of these picnics I'm going to get lots of bread in loaf form and you will have to break it off to get any bread at our meal!) The other thing we did, baptism, predates even communion.
On Sunday we also Holy Partied together with 15 baptisms. As much as I love doing baptisms during our Sunday morning worship service I love it even more when we do it at a beach. There is just something especially powerful about baptizing people in the open and then having a giant party/picnic afterward. Okay, I confess, I LOVE Holy Party! Plus, I'm pretty sure Jesus was a Holy Party animal, I mean, isn't that kind of the definition of Heaven?
There was one serious note during our party. Just before we started the baptism I asked you all to remember your baptism. I encouraged you to at some point touch the water and call to mind the day you were baptized and to reflect on what God had done for you. I reminded you that a part of baptism is Sealing. That means He claims you as His own and Seals you with His seal of ownership, authority and protection.
Yep you've screwed up since your baptism and you will again but you are sealed with the signet ring of the King of kings and Lord of lords. You belong to him and every time we participate in the sacraments (communion and baptism) we call you to remember that.
Remembering is HUGE to the christian faith. Baptism is not just for the person being baptized. It is a scared moment for the whole church when we celebrate with those taking this important step of faith but we also are called to return again to our baptism. Remember who you are (child of God) and whose you are, (God's). Touch the water, remember it flowing over you in cleansing, death to self and ultimately resurrection into new life!
Baptism... Holy Party at it's best. Remember your baptism!
Last Sunday we did two biblically important things. We celebrated Baptism with 15 people and we Broke Bread Together. Click for Baptism/Picnic Pics Here
Breaking Bread is eating together and the roots of this ancient practice go back to Communion. The early followers of Jesus regularly shared meals. It was both fellowship and the beginnings of what we would come to know as The Lord's Table. They literally "broke" bread off a loaf and passed it to the next person to break off a piece. Then passed a common cup of wine around. (One of these picnics I'm going to get lots of bread in loaf form and you will have to break it off to get any bread at our meal!) The other thing we did, baptism, predates even communion.
On Sunday we also Holy Partied together with 15 baptisms. As much as I love doing baptisms during our Sunday morning worship service I love it even more when we do it at a beach. There is just something especially powerful about baptizing people in the open and then having a giant party/picnic afterward. Okay, I confess, I LOVE Holy Party! Plus, I'm pretty sure Jesus was a Holy Party animal, I mean, isn't that kind of the definition of Heaven?
There was one serious note during our party. Just before we started the baptism I asked you all to remember your baptism. I encouraged you to at some point touch the water and call to mind the day you were baptized and to reflect on what God had done for you. I reminded you that a part of baptism is Sealing. That means He claims you as His own and Seals you with His seal of ownership, authority and protection.
Yep you've screwed up since your baptism and you will again but you are sealed with the signet ring of the King of kings and Lord of lords. You belong to him and every time we participate in the sacraments (communion and baptism) we call you to remember that.
Remembering is HUGE to the christian faith. Baptism is not just for the person being baptized. It is a scared moment for the whole church when we celebrate with those taking this important step of faith but we also are called to return again to our baptism. Remember who you are (child of God) and whose you are, (God's). Touch the water, remember it flowing over you in cleansing, death to self and ultimately resurrection into new life!
Baptism... Holy Party at it's best. Remember your baptism!
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