Don’t Let Me Forget My Baptism | Rev. Andrew Chappell

This weekend brought a rare Snow Day to Newnan, so in an abundance of caution Newnan First United Methodist canceled in-person services. Revs. Andrew Chappell and Connor Bell gathered to record a devotional that was live streamed, which you can listen to here! 

 

The following was also sent out in an email:

In the life of the church, today is known as Baptism of the Lord Sunday. This is a day every year that we celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River. The story according to Luke is as follows:

As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John [the Baptist], whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Now when all the people were baptized and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

For Luke and the other gospel writers, this moment is the launching point of Jesus’ ministry. And from this point on, baptism becomes a key sacrament in the Christian story.

In our tradition, baptism is both an individual and a communal act. The individual being baptized (or sponsor) takes vows to uphold after his or her baptism (or upon confirmation). And the community then makes its covenant once again to uphold the vows they took at their baptism. Thus, baptism is a covenant between the individual, God, and the church community.

Baptism is also a celebration of the community of faith. Whenever a baptism occurs, it reminds us of our shared history and our ongoing journey together. Baptism strengthens our bond as Christians.

Lastly, baptism is a reminder of Christ's presence. It signifies the ongoing presence of Christ within the individual and within the community. Christ is not gone. He is with us and he is in us!

In the United Methodist Church, we have a ritual to let everyone once again hear the promises made and the blessings conferred, “A Service of Reaffirmation,” (a reaffirmation of the covenant, we call it). It’s a way of saying again what we said or was said in our name at our baptism.

I invite you to read through the vows of the Reaffirmation of Baptism liturgy below and spend a moment in reflection. Think about how it is you are living out the covenant vows of your baptism today.

Baptismal Vows and Reaffirmation.

Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,

reject the evil powers of this world,

and repent of your sin?

I do.

 

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you

to resist evil, injustice, and oppression

in whatever forms they present themselves?

I do.

 

Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,

put your whole trust in his grace,

and promise to serve him as your Lord,

in union with the Church which Christ has opened

to people of all ages, nations, and races?

I do.

 

According to the grace given to you,

will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church

and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?

I will.

 

Let us rejoice in the faithfulness of our covenant God.

We give thanks for all that God has already given us.

As members of the body of Christ

and in this congregation of The United Methodist Church,

we will faithfully participate in the ministries of the Church

by our prayers, our presence, our gifts,

our service and our witness

that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

 

Friends, on this Baptism of the Lord Sunday, remember your baptism and be thankful!

 

“Today is a grand celebration of the community of faith. It is a day of worship of the one who went into the water for us, with us, and promised to be present among us always.” -quote from UMC Discipleship