Last Sunday, after prayers that we might be as God meant us to be in our daily lives, Rev. Paul Clapham looked at the Christian sacraments, the outward visible signs of inward invisible grace. What is actually happening? Are they rites of passage or is something internal and invisible going on through our individual response?
Jill read to us from Romans 6 where Paul talks about baptism, probably the most controversial sacrament between Christian denominations. There are several options for welcoming infants into the community. Some churches practise full immersion for adults. At the first Lord’s Supper Jesus offered bread and wine to a very mixed bunch of men indicating all inclusivity. The experience of Holy Communion will vary for each individual. When we have a spiritual, unexplained experience we must hang on to it to strengthen our faith.
Keith read from Matthew 10, living the life we believe in. Baptism is a sign of sharing life with Christ. We are mortal but Jesus takes us beyond death. We sang Alleluia, sing to Jesus and Paul closed our worship with a blessing: May your spirit be shaped by the presence of Jesus whose love, life and resurrection reveals the heart of the Father.