Through the rivers

Greetings! I hope you are safe and warm after the weather this past weekend.  It was hard to cancel service on Sunday, but Pastor Kruse and I and your council did not want anyone to suffer an accident or fall.

This past Sunday was the Baptism of our Lord.   It is a reminder of how Jesus was acknowledged by His Father in the appearance of a physical pure dove and named as His Son.  The Old Testament Lesson is one of my favorites, Isaiah 43: 1-3.

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”  

God calls me - calls us - by name and demonstrates His protection of each one of us.  It has the imagery of the water, the proclamation of the love of God. In baptism we are washed in the water, as Jesus was, sealed with the Holy Spirit as Jesus was, and named as Christian and a child of God.  These are comforting words at the beginning, middle and end of life. We are called.

Blessings,

Nancy Trimble Deacon