The Hands of God

In worship on Sunday, I felt the hands of God...

I did a double baptism, of a little boy and a little girl. As I held each of their heads over the font and used my hand to cup the water, I had this feeling that my hands weren't my own. The ELCA's missional slogan is "God's work, our hands." But, sometimes I think it's the other way around-- it's Our Work, God's Hands. That's what I felt on Sunday. I was doing the baptismal rite. I was pouring water over these children's heads, but the hands holding these children were not mine. God's hands were holding them, comforting them with the strength and gentleness of God's loving presence.

After the baptism, it is usual for us to walk the babies around the congregation, to introduce them to their new family in Christ. I took the little girl who was happy in my arms. And when I brought her back to hand off to her father, she clung to me with her tiny little fists. The hands of God, there, wrapped around my shoulder. Something about our time together around the font made her feel comfortable in my arms, such that she held me close with her hands. And I didn't want to let her go, to let go of that feeling.

God's hands, holding our own... What a gift!

Storied Waters, Shared Community

Today was a beautiful All Saints Day, where we celebrated not only the blessed saints who've lived and loved and touched our lives, saints both living and deceased. But, it was all the more incredible for me because I got to welcome two new saints into the church in baptism.

BAPTISM.

I was really excited to do these baptisms-- my first as a pastor. But though there were the excitements and anxieties of the momentousness of my performing this sacrament on these two children, I was more captivated by the opportunity to be a part of the faith story of these two little ones.

STORIED WATERS

That's what baptism is-- storied waters. Where we become a part of God's story, and God becomes a part of ours. Storied waters that shape us our whole life through, forming, guiding, and supporting us. And I get to be a part of that. What an incredible blessing! But that's not just it... I get to do it in the context of a community.

SHARED COMMUNITY

Leading up to the baptisms, I met with the families in their homes. We got to know each other. They shared with me the story of their families, of the births of these little ones, of their family baptismal traditions. We shared laughs and hopes and prayers. We were able to connect. To build a relationship together, and with the Church. And then at the worship service, I was (as I always am) touched by the significance of the congregation's role in the baptism. Promising to love and support the baptized, and to welcome them into the life of the church. As I walked around the congregation with one of the newly baptized, I said to him, "Meet your new brothers and sisters!"

I am so thankful that I get to tell the great, great story of God's love. That I get to be a part of these storied baptismal waters. And that I get to do so in shared community with other believers. What a gift!

~Pr Alexis

showers and baptism

Last night at Confirmation class, we talked about remembering our baptism during everyday activities, like when we wash the dishes, brush our teeth and take a shower. This crossed my mind in the shower this morning. You see, my shower was miserable. A little bit of warm water, spirts of cold water, a little bit of warm water, spirts of cold water. Aweful! Got me thinking: Baptism is like this. Most days my shower is great, refreshing me and cleansing me. Most days, remembering my baptism is a great thing, reminding me that I am a loved and forgiven child of God. But, some days-like my shower today-things are different. Some days the waters of baptism aren't so comfortable. In the baptism service in our worship book, we promise to "proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace." When it comes right down to it, these things can be pretty uncomfortable things. For instance, talking about my faith in certain contexts, really caring for some people, and making choices that allow the best and most fair use of the resources can leave me in despair. Some days, the waters of baptism challenge me. In fact, some days it's kind of miserable, like trying to take a shower in cold water. But, as always I am reminded once again of the good news of those baptism waters--that I am loved and forgiven, no matter what!
posted by Emmy