Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 30 A | Deuteronomy 34:1-12

The Ten Commandments (1956).

Featuring Charlton Heston (Moses) and Yul Brynner (Rameses II).

The death of Moses is foreshadowed in the final scene of Cecil B. DeMille’s epic, the final film he directed before his death in 1959. Forbidden by the Lord to enter the Promised Land, Moses says good-bye to his wife, known in this film by her Greek name “Sephora” (Yvonne De Carlo). Passing leadership to his successor, Moses gives his staff and mantle to Joshua. As Moses lays his hands on Joshua’s head, he responds, “As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Moses instructs Aaron (John Carradine) to give Eleazar (Paul De Rolf) the Books of Law to put in the Ark of the Covenant. Moses sends the Israelites (and movie viewers) out with the commission: “Go! Proclaim liberty throughout all the lands to all the inhabitants thereof” (Leviticus 25:10).

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 27 A | Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

The Ten Commandments (1923)

Featuring Theodore Roberts (Moses).

The story of Moses makes up the first part of Cecil B. DeMille’s silent film, a precursor to the 1956 epic film.  Moses receives the Ten Commandments in dramatic fashion. Each is “written with the finger of God” through primitive--but impressive--special effects. Moses then inscribes them on tablets.  You can watch clips at www.tinyrurl.com/MosesMovie07.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 26A | Exodus 17:1-7

 

Moses (1995)

Starring Ben Kingsley (Moses), David Suchet (Aaron),  and Enrico Lo Verso (Joshua).  

The “water from the rock” story is often left out of movies depicting the Exodus.  However, this movie does include a parallel story from the book of Numbers.  In this scene, Moses is mourning the death of his sister, and we see him lash out in anguish, grief, and anger.  Quite a contrast to the emotions seen in last week’s film clip. Watch the scene at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie06.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 25A | Exodus 16:2-15

 

Moses (1995).  

Starring Ben Kingsley (Moses), Frank Langella (Merneptah), Christopher Lee (Ramesses), and Geraldine McEwan (Miriam).  

The Israelites awaken to discover “manna” falling like large snowflakes.  As it accumulates on shrubs, they taste this bread from heaven.  “It is delicious!”  “Like coriander seed!”  After the intense scenes we’ve watched in previous weeks, it is nice to see the joyful expressions on the faces of Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and the others as they receive the gifts of manna and quail from the Lord.  Watch a short clip at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie05.

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 24A | Exodus 14:19-31

The Prince of Egypt (1998).  

Featuring the voices of Sandra Bullock (Miriam), Sally Dworsky (Miriam singing voice), Michelle Pfeiffer (Tzipporah).  

After the plagues and the death of the first born, Moses leads the Hebrew people out of Egypt.  As they leave, Miriam and Tzipporah sing “When You Believe.”  The Hebrew children sing words from Exodus 15, verses 1, 11, and 13.  The song received an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Song, in 1999.  Watch it at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie4a  Continue watching as the people of God cross the Red Sea and watch for the whale shark!  Visit tinyurl.com/MosesMovie4b

   

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 23A | Exodus 12:1-14

"Moses" Testament: The Bible in Animation (1996).  Featuring the voice of Martin Jarvis (Moses), Simon Callow (Merneptah).  This animated series uses a variety of animation styles to depict some of the most well-known stories of the Old Testament: oil painting, paint on glass, stop motion photography, and traditional cel animation.  In the Moses episode, cel animation is used, with the animators depicting the characters in an angular, exaggerated manner.  As Moses gives instructions for the Passover meal (19:30 into the episode), open windows and closed doors are used to tell the story as if they were panels in a comic strip.  Watch at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie03b

 

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 22A | Exodus 3:1-15

The Ten Commandments (2006)

Starring Dougray Scott (Moses), Naveen Andrews (Menerith), Omar Sharif (Jethro).

While the special effects in this made-for-TV mini-series are not movie quality, Scott’s acting provides a convincing Moses, described in the Bible as “slow of speech and slow of tongue.” In the “Burning Bush” scene, Moses stutters: “Don’t send me—don’t send me—I am not a person you need—I can’t do this—I can’t do this!”

Resource | Moses at the Movies | Lectionary 21A | Exodus 1:8-2:10

The Prince of Egypt (1998)

Featuring the voices of Ofra Haza (Yocheved) and Eden Riegel (Young Miriam).

 

In the “Deliver Us/River Lullaby” scene, a tearful Yocheved hides her infant son in a basket and sets him adrift on the Nile. However, the river is no place for a baby, as the basket evades crocodiles, hippopotami, and fishing boats before finding safety in the bathing pools of the Egyptian royal palace. View at tinyurl.com/MosesMovie01

Sermon | "Creator / Father" | Holy Trinity, Year A

Sermon Text: Genesis 1:1--2:4a

In the beginning, Pinocchio was formless, a large, dead, log, void of any life or personality.  But like any good artist, Geppetto could see the life of possibilities within the wood.  It was evening, the Geppetto's workshop was lit by candlelight, and the moon and stars watched him get to work.    

With hammer and chisel in hand, Geppetto quickly stripped the log of its rough, outer bark, revealing a smooth surface underneath.  He carefully studied the grain of the wood, and sketched with pencil the rough outline of the head, trunk, and limbs of his creation.  Geppetto worked quickly, and quietly, chips of wood flying as the form of a boy began to appear.  The chisels Geppetto selected got smaller and smaller, as he refined the details of his puppet--a round head, with round cheeks, a button nose, and a mischievous smile.  A slender neck connected Pinocchio's head with this cylindrical body.  Two arms were jointed at the shoulders, elbows and wrists.  Two legs jointed at the hips, knees and ankles. 

The chisel and hammer were set down, the rasp and file picked up.  Then sandpaper, from coarse to fine, made the wooden puppet as smooth as skin. 

And, at last, Gepetto put down his tools and rested.  Pinocchio sat before him, and Gepetto the Artist surveyed his Artwork.  The Woodworker, his Woodwork.  The Creator, his Creature.  And as the sun rose outside the workshop, Gepetto looked at Pinocchio bright in the morning sunlight, and saw that what he had made was good.  Very good.

But Pinocchio was no ordinary puppet.  Gepetto had created him in his own likeness.  He had poured his heart and soul into his project.  So Pinocchio was a living puppet, a marionette without strings.  When Pinocchio ventured out that morning to explore the world beyond the workshop, no one was controlling him, no one was making choices for him, no one was pulling the strings.  Pinocchio strolled down the streets of the village, amazed by all he saw.  By and by, Pinocchio met "Honest" John, a sly fox, and his associate Gideon.  "Honest" John--who was not so honest--Gideon tempted Pinocchio lured him and all the other boys they could find to "Pleasure Island," where there were no adults and no rules and no curfews.  So with no one to stop them, Pinocchio and the other boys enjoyed all the pleasures of Pleasure Island--gambling, smoking, vandalizing, getting drunk... 

When Pinocchio awoke the next morning, he realized he had made an jackass of himself.  I mean, he really felt like a donkey.  He felt long donkey ears coming from his head, and he reached back and felt a donkey tail on his behind.  The other boys too were  turning into donkeys.    

Frightened, Pinocchio left Pleasure Island and ran, fast as his wooden legs would take him, back to the only home he had ever known--Gepetto's workshop.  He cried as he ran, his sobs becoming "hee haws," and his run becoming a trot as his transformation from puppet to donkey was nearly complete.  Finally, he reached Gepetto's workshop.  Hot tears ran down Pinocchio's donkey snout, tears of shame and fear.  He told Gepetto his story, hee-hawing his guilt, his regret, his remorse, as Gepetto listened.    

Gepetto held Donkey Pinocchio and embraced him in his strong arms.  "I created you.  I love you.  I forgive you."  Gepetto said.  And as Gepetto held Pinocchio, Gepetto's grace, love and forgiveness transformed Pinocchio.  Not from donkey to back to puppet, but from donkey to real boy.

And together they lived, Artist and Artwork.  Woodworker and Woodwork.  Creator and Creature.  Father and Son. 

And they lived happily ever after. 

The End.

*   *   *

Sometimes a story like this one, or a fable, or song, or poem, are able to carry deep truths better than a news report or a piece of non-fiction.  The story of Pinocchio and Gepetto carries deep truths about our own relationships with our Creator, our Heavenly Father.      

The same is true of our First Reading this morning, from the first chapters of the Bible.  In the poetry of Genesis one, we hear, "In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth...

God is the Creator... of Day and Night, Sky and Sea, Vegetation and Fruit, Sun and Moon.  God is the Creator of Flying Creatures, Swimming Creatures, Creeping Creatures.... And the Creatures known as Humans.  God is our Creator.    

"God created humankind in his image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them."

And God's creation, God's creatures, were good.  Very Good. 

But also, very bad. 

As the story of Genesis unfolds, we hear of humanity's failures: Adam and Eve tempted by the serpent in the Garden.  Cain killing his brother Abel.  The wickedness of humanity in the days before the Flood.  The division among humankind at the Tower of Babel.    

Not long after the Creation, the relationship between the Creatures and the Creator became stretched, strained, shattered.

But, there is a happy ending to the story.  The Creator sent his Child to earth, to rescue, to restore, to redeem.  Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God is made known to us.  Through the Son, we know the love of the Father. 

God is not only our Creator, but also our Father.  God's grace, love and forgiveness transform us, make us his children, make us real, make us who we were meant to be.

This transformation begins at the font, when we are baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  We are made children of the Father, united to the Son through the death and resurrection of Christ, sealed and filled with the Spirit. 
We are held forever, in the gracious, loving, transforming embrace of our Triune God, now and forever.  Even to the end of the age.  Amen. 

Sermon | "We Gather Together" | Day of Thanksgiving

They gathered together for a meal of Thanksgiving. The people of God, slaves in the bustling city of Rameses in Egypt. When their ancestors came to Egpyt to live as aliens, the were few in number. But in time, they became a great nation, mighty and populous. And when the Egyptians treated them harshly and afflicted them, by imposing hard labor on them, they cried to the LORD, the God of their ancestors; and God heard their voice and saw their affliction, their toil, and their oppression.

God listened to their cry and they listened to God’s instructions: Take a lamb for each household, a lamb without blemish, a year-old male.  Slaughter the lamb. Drain its blood into a basin. Then take a branch of hyssop, dip it into the blood, and paint the blood on the lintel and doorposts of each home. Roast the lamb over a fire, with its head, legs, and organs intact. Wait inside, prepared to leave. Eat the meal fully clothed, with sandals on your feet and staffs in your hands.

They gathered together for a meal of Thanksgiving with their families and the LORD passed over their homes, but struck down all the firstborns in the land of Egypt. So they departed the land in haste. They took their dough before it was leavened, with their kneading bowls wrapped up in
their cloaks on their shoulders.

And the LORD brought them out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. And they gave thanks.

* * *

They gathered together for a meal of Thanksgiving.  This small band of Jewish pilgrims who had come to the bustling city of Jerusalem. The city was filled with merchants selling clothing and jewelry. Along with the others, they shopped for the food they needed: spices and herbs, fish, wheat and wine, but most important was the lamb. Utmost care was taken to follow the traditions of their forefathers. Early in the afternoon, they took the lamb to the Temple. They waited for the sound of the ram’s horn, before they slaughtered the lamb. Its blood was drained into a basin held by one of the priests. Then it was skinned and its fat and kidneys were removed and burnt on the altar.

They took the lamb to the room which had been prepared for their feast. The lamb was roasted outside in the courtyard. Inside the room was prepared. Cushions on the floor allowed us them
to recline and eat at low tables. Along with the lamb, the other dishes of their tradition were prepared: bitter herbs, bread, and the haroset, a mixture of fruit, nuts and wine. And there was wine to drink as well—four cups for each guest, mixed with water and heated…

They gathered together for a meal of Thanksgiving, the Passover meal. The disciples listened as their Rabbi Jesus took a loaf of bread, and blessed their God. Then, Jesus broke the bread and said, “This… is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  Later, when they drank the third cup of wine, the cup of redemption, he said, “This cup… is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

They were saddened and confused by Jesus’ words. But they remembered when the Lord had fed a crowd of over 5000 with only two fish and five loaves of bread, and they remembered what Jesus said afterward: "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

* * *

They gathered together for a meal of Thanksgiving--the colonists who had come to the “New World” and the Indians who were already there.  They colonists had come here from England on a merchant ship called the Mayflower. They were few in number. In November in the Year of Our Lord 1620, they landed on this continent. They began building a settlement, but the winter weather treated them harshly and many of them were afflicted by sickness and died.

Those who survived until the next year, about 50 in number, celebrated in the fall of 1621. With the harvest in, the governor sent four men out hunting, so that they might rejoice together after gathering the fruit of their labors. The four men in one day killed as much fowl as served the company almost a week.  And many of the Indians joined them, and among them their greatest king Massasoit along with some ninety men. For three days the colonists entertained and feasted, and the Indians went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed upon the governor, the captain, and others. Along with the deer and the duck, they feasted on lobsters and mussels, white
and red grapes, black and red plums and “flint” corn.

And although it was not always so plentiful as it was at that time, they remembered the goodness of God, and they were far from want.

* * *

Three meals from three different times in history. Three meals in three different lands and cultural settings. Three meals with the common thread of thanksgiving.

First, the Passover meal of the ancient Hebrews. A meal eaten in both in celebration of and in remembrance of their liberation from slavery in Egypt and the freedom to worship their God, the one true God, in their own way.

Secondly, Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples, likely a Passover meal, eaten by a Jewish rabbi and his Jewish followers in the city of Jerusalem, occupied by the Roman Empire.

And finally, the meal we in the United States have come to call the “First Thanksgiving.” A meal eaten by the English colonists of Plymouth and Native Wampanoag people in celebration of the harvest. It was not a day of “thanksgiving” in the strictest, religious sense of the word, but it was a celebration that included feasting, games, and prayer.

* * *

Tomorrow, we will gather together for a meal of Thanksgiving. First Lutheran will host a modern Thanksgiving meal. We will come together—family and friends and neighbors.  We will feast on turkey and ham (provided by the Shooting Star), and mashed potatoes (100 lbs., in fact, donated by Butch J.) and dressing and sweet potatoes, corn and cranberries, rolls, and a room full of salads. And we will surely all save room for dessert, pies donated by St. Michael’s. It’s a meal that brings the community together—people from St. Michael’s and First Lutheran, Circles of Faith, Immanuel in Bejou, Wild Rice in Asplund, and others. It’s a meal that supported by individuals in the community and organizations and businesses in the community.  Before the shopping on Black Friday, before the Mahnomen Indians take the field on Saturday, we will gather together for a meal of Thanksgiving.

* * *

There is one more Thanksgiving meal I’d like to mention.  It’s a Thanksgiving meal known by many names: Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper, the Breaking of the Bread, the Sacrament of the Altar, and the Eucharist, to name a few. The word eucharist comes from the Greek word eucharistia, which
means “thanksgiving.”

For me, as a Lutheran, each of these names reveals something of the mystery of the sacrament. As Holy Communion, the meal reunites us in relationship with God and with each other, with the communion of saints, believers of all times and all places.  As the Lord’s Supper, we consume the body and blood of our Lord Jesus in the bread and in the wine. We Break the Bread, formed from flour formed from wheat, harvested from our fields; and we drink the cup, wine crushed from the grapes of our vines. In the Sacrament of the Altar we are invited to “eat and drink from the
true altar of God, the body and blood of Christ given and shed ‘for you.’” We remember Jesus’ Last Supper, his death on Good Friday, his Resurrection on Easter morning, and his promise to
come again. In this meal of forgiveness, we experience freedom from the bondage of sin and we worship God in freedom, in spirit, and in truth. For this Eucharistic meal, at which God bestows
mercy and forgiveness, creates & strengthens faith for our daily work and ministry in the world, draws us to long for the day of God’s manifest justice in all the world, & provides a sure & certain
hope of the coming resurrection to eternal life,” we give thanks.

Tomorrow, we will gather around tables in the basement of First Lutheran for a meal of Thanksgiving. Tonight, it is my hope and my prayer that someday, we will also be able to gather
together around the communion table, all of us--Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant—and give thanks together for all that God has done. Amen.

Sermon | "The Baptism of Our Lord" | Baptism of Our Lord A | Matthew

Sermon Text: Matthew

13Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

In high schools throughout the country, getting baptized is very popular. Yes!.. Believe it or not. In fact, in parts of the country, baptisms even happen on a daily basis. Groups of upperclassmen gather together during the few minutes between lunch and 5th period to perform the ritual. The candidate for baptism, often a freshman or an unsuspecting junior high kid who wandered down the wrong hallway, is ushered into that sacred chapel known as the boys restroom. The victim—I mean, initiate—is lowered head first into the commode, and the ceremony is completed with the FLUSH of the toilet. Yes, my friends, all over the country, young people are experiencing a special form of baptism known as the Swirlie…

Part 1

There are different forms of baptism. High school students baptize one another in the toilet. In our reading from Matthew’s gospel, John the Baptist is baptizing people in the wilderness. John attracts a crowd—people from Jerusalem, from Judea, from all along the Jordan River. The crowds come—not to gawk at John, wearing clothing of camel’s hair and eating locusts and honey. They come because they need to. They need to confess their sins—to get something off their chests… to acknowledge the wrong they’ve done… to own up to the fact they’ve hurt someone by their actions… to speak of their inactions, the things they’ve failed to do… They need to repent—to turn from their ways… to take a different path… to have a change of heart… to turn back to God.

“YOU BROOD OF VIPERS!” John shouts. He calls out the Pharisees and Sadducees, but he could have said that of anyone coming forward. “WHO WARNED YOU TO FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME? Bear fruit worthy of repentance.”

Then Jesus comes to John. Jesus is among those who come to be baptized. Jesus is among the crowd coming to confess sins. Jesus is among the Pharisees and Sadducees, the brood of vipers called out to repent. For me, this is the most difficult part of the story to understand. Why did Jesus come to be baptized? Not to confess sins… Jesus had no need to acknowledge that he’d done wrong… Why did Jesus come to be baptized? Not to repent… Jesus’ path was straight… he was on the right path… he was headed in the right direction.

Why did Jesus come to be baptized?

John the Baptist asks the same question: “You are the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! You are more powerful than me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie your sandals. “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?” Jesus replies, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Something about Jesus’ submission to baptism seems to be part of the plan for his life. It is proper. It is righteous. It pleases God. It’s the beginning of something big. It’s the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Though it takes place in the Judean wilderness, rather than a school restroom, Jesus’ baptism is an initiation.

This morning we hear the story of Jesus’ baptism from Matthew’s gospel. Matthew begins his gospel with the story of Jesus’ birth, the visit from the Wise Men, the scheming of King Herod, the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt… and then he continues the story with Jesus’ baptism. Luke’s gospel also begins with the story of Jesus’ birth—Mary sings, Zechariah prophecies, Emperor Augustus decrees, Joseph looks for a place to stay, shepherds watch their flocks by night, angels give glory to God and proclaim peace to mortals. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus visit Simeon, Anna and the Temple. Jesus quickly reaches age 12 and worries his parents when they leave him in Jerusalem. Then, after all of these events, take place, Jesus is baptized.

But in Mark’s gospel, Jesus’ baptism is the first thing we hear about—it is the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus is baptized, driven into the wilderness by the Spirit, and by Verse 14 of Chapter 1, Jesus is proclaiming the good news and calling disciples. In Mark’s gospel, Jesus’ baptism is the initial event of Jesus’ life… it’s the beginning of his ministry… Jesus’ baptism is the initiation of Jesus’ mission.

Part 2

What was Jesus’ mission? There are probably many ways to answer that question… But I think Jesus’ mission can be summed up using the words from the service of Affirmation of Baptism, found on page x in your bulletin. Jesus’ mission was to:

to live among God's faithful people…

to hear the word of God…

to proclaim the good news of God through word and deed…

to serve all people…

to strive for justice and peace in all the earth…

Jesus lived among God's faithful people: Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to be at the Temple with God’s people as an infant, as a child, and as an adult. With God’s people he celebrated Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the spring and the Festival of Dedication in the winter. Jesus lived and traveled and worked and ate with the faithful followers he called disciples.

Jesus listened to the word of God: he heard the scriptures read in the synagogue. He often went off by himself… to a lonely, quiet place, to listen for God’s word in prayer.

Jesus proclaimed the good news of God through word and deed: Jesus proclaimed the good news by teaching about God’s Kingdom, by sharing stories and parables. Jesus proclaimed the good news of God by works and deeds of healing, feeding the hungry, casting out demons and raising people from the dead.

Jesus served all people: On the night of his Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, tied a towel around himself, and began to wash the feet of his disciples, taking the role of a servant, setting an example for all who follow him.

Jesus strived for peace and justice in all the earth: He spoke to women when it was taboo to do so. Jesus cleansed lepers and he reached out to those who were cast out, to those on the edge of society. He preached a message of non-violence, of turning the other cheek, of praying for one’s enemies.

Part 3

Jesus’ baptism is the beginning of his ministry. Jesus’ baptism is the initiation of Jesus’ mission. When we are baptized in Jesus’ name, we are initiated into the family. God adopts us as his own. Baptized into Christ, we become brothers and sisters of Christ. We inherit a share in the “family business.” Jesus’ mission becomes our mission. What a wonderful initiation baptism is, especially when we think of some of the other initiation rites in our society—the Swirlie, becoming old enough to buy tobacco or alcohol… legally, fraternity hazing, getting your first credit card… In baptism, we are initiated into Jesus’ mission. His mission becomes our mission.

A couple Sundays ago one of our young people, Sami D., was confirmed. She stood in front of the congregation, and professed the faith into which she was baptized. She promised, with God’s help and guidance, to continue to be a part of Jesus’ mission: to live among God's faithful people… to hear the word of God and to share in the Lord’s Supper… to proclaim the good news of God through word and deed… to serve all people following Christ’s example… and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

After working with confirmation students for nearly 15 years, I know there will be times when Sami doesn’t fulfill these promises, and adults like me also fail to do the things we promise to do. Instead of hearing the word of God, we stay out late Saturday night, and instead of coming to church, we sleep in on Sunday morning… (which happens to be where Sami is this morning). Instead of proclaiming the good news of God through word and deed we are shy about sharing our faith and we act in ways that contradict what we say we believe. Instead of serving all people, we serve those who can offer us something in return, or those who look like us or act like us or think like we do. Instead of striving for justice and peace in all the earth, we have good intentions about mailing a check to Haiti relief, but it never gets written and it never gets sent.

Part 4

When we fail to do what we ought, when we do the things we’re not supposed to do, we return to the waters of baptism, the waters in which we are initiated. We remember that we are the initiates, and God is the initiator. Even when we break the promises we make, God keeps the promises he makes to us in Baptism—forgiveness of sins, deliverance from death and the devil, everlasting salvation to all who believe what God has promised.

When we fail to live as we ought, we can dip our fingers in the water, and re-trace the sign of the cross on our foreheads. When we remember our Baptism, we hear the heavens torn open, and God’s voice speaking to us, as Jesus heard his Father’s voice:

“You are my Son. You are my Daughter. You are My Beloved. I have made you my own by water and the Word. I have called you to myself. I have gifted you with the Spirit. I have given you a community of faith to support and uphold you. I have placed my love in your heart and have given you new birth, in the name of Christ.”

Baptism into Christ is much better than a Swirlie…