Thursday’s Thoughts
Fairview Community Church
Worshiping God and Welcoming All Every Sunday at 10am
Hiya Fairview Family and Friends!
I’ve spent a great deal of time now thinking about Baptism in preparation for last Sunday’s service. First I reflected upon Jesus’ baptism. Then I researched Baptism as an act and its roots in Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. Then I spent time remembering my own baptism, what it meant to me, and what it means to me as a pastor today. And then I meditated upon what it would mean and now means to Jennifer Francisco, the newly baptized. Following the service we had a large group at Talkback. This tells me that we probably don’t spend enough time talking about Baptism. Sort of ironic, I would say, given the fact that we’re Baptists after all! However, it became clear to me as I prepared this sermon that I’d have to spend some time unpacking baptism and after the service, I realized that you too need some time to unpack baptism for yourself as well. Very likely, our understanding of baptism has changed over our lifetime. For some it has taken on deeper meaning. For others, I sadly learned, baptism seemed like coercion. Some feel like it is something that happened a long time ago, barely memorable, and for others the moment seemed imprinted on their hearts. I think it is wonderful that we talk about Baptism –what does it mean to us now, to our faith, to our lives? Do we need to re-theologize it? Do we need to re-interpret it? Do we need to define what we think it is and what we think it isn’t? I did much of this on Sunday morning –but each of us needs to ask what it means to us personally ---because Baptism is always a personal choice.
I continue to feel the glow of the moment in which I immersed Jennifer into our Baptismal waters. It was a beautiful, powerful moment in time –one I will remember my whole ministry through. Each of us who is a part of this community is now a part of her journey. What a wonderful testament it is that we journey together in faith. God bless Jennifer; God bless us all!
Jennifer has had a big role in our children’s ministry over the last year: partly because she and Holly have two adorable daughters, but perhaps equally as important, she is committed to raising all of our FCC children along their spiritually journey. We as a church have committed to 5th Sunday Kids Days! These are days in which we intentionally recognize the children of our church, offer a worship service that creatively addresses them and their spiritual needs. Each time we do a service like this it is a little different –so if you’ve seen one Kids Sunday you haven’t seen them all. But one thing each has in common, is the priority to put our children first. After all, it takes a village to raise a child, and we each have a responsibility for our children’s spiritual education. So let’s have some fun and celebrate Kids Sunday!
Remember parents – There’s a Family Fun outing right after church –Frogg’s Bounce House! Wear socks! It’s gonna be fun!
Help Haiti relief efforts by donating through our denominations. You can give online by clicking here through the UCC website or here through our ABC website.
