Jon Garrett Shank (our 3rd son) was baptized Sunday. Joni has pics on her site.
I love the baptism service. The words are so powerful. I don’t think we meditate on what is actually said during a baptism. Here is part of it, although Bro. Will does a great job of adding things to personalize the entire thing, including walking up the middle of the church to introduce Jon Garrett to his new bothers and sisters in Christ as well as remind them of their commitment to him.
To those who bring this child for baptism:
On behalf of the whole church, I ask you:
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin? (response: we do.)
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? (response: we 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? (response: we do.)
Will you nurture this child in Christ’ holy church, that by your teaching and example he may be guided to accept God’s grace for himself, to profess this faith openly, and to lead a Christian life? (response: we do.)
To the congregation:
Do you as Christ’s body , the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ? (response: we do.)
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include the child now before you in your care? (response: we do.)
JB was also very cute saying “we do” right along with us.
Thanks to Brother Will for sending the text on to me.
excerpt from The United Methodist Hymnal page 40
Copyright 1989 The United Methodist Publishing House