Hey friends. Sorry if this is a little impersonal, but I didn’t know how else to communicate everything about our upcoming Baptism Sunday. It would have been a massive text, lol!
First, I’m so thankful you decided to take this step of public witness to your relationship to Jesus, and I am incredibly grateful and honored to have been able to walk with you in this important decision. I know what we discussed over a period of a few weeks isn’t comprehensive, but I hope it at least gave you a firm foundation to build from. Just a reminder, baptism isn’t the finish line, it’s the starting point to a life that is increasingly centered around Jesus and his mission. Please let me know how I can help you as you continue your journey.
Ok, so on to business. Because of the number being baptized - and therefore needing to change clothes - and the limited changing rooms, I have decided to flip-flop our regular service order. So we will open with one song, do our regular announcements, and then I will ask you to come to the front so I can introduce you to the congregation. More importantly, I will ask each of you to affirm your commitment to four things (what I refer to as “baptismal vows”):
Do you turn from your sin and renounce Satan and everything that is opposed to God? I do.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and receive him as your Savior? I do.
Do you confess Jesus as your Lord and commit to follow and obey him? I do.
Will you remain a faithful member of Christ’s church and serve as his representative in the world? I will.
Normally, I would ask these of each candidate individually - but usually I’m only baptizing one at a time. So I will ask you as group to affirm these commitments. Just fyi, you are not committing to always be at the Vineyard - God may move you on - but you commit to being part of his church wherever you find yourself.
After we affirm these vows I will dismiss you to get changed while I preach a message on baptism. David and Hannah, you will share the dressing room to the right of the stage (if looking toward the stage). Ricky and Matt, we will share the changing room on the left side. Plan to arrive at church about 15 minutes early and I can show you where your changing room is. After you’ve changed into your baptism clothes, just stand/sit outside the changing room while I finish the message.
As far as what to bring with you, it’s usually easiest to just wear a swimsuit and t-shirt. Because we don’t want to have a wet t-shirt contest, a dark colored t-shirt is best lol. Remember to bring a towel, and I usually have a Walmart sack to put my wet clothes in. You can leave your wet stuff in the changing room until after the service.
When I finish the message, I will dash to the back and change into my swimsuit while the worship team does another song. At that point I will step down into the baptistry and begin inviting each of you down one at a time. I will have you grab your nose, and I will lower you into the water “in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit”. Everyone claps!!
As soon as you’re finished you can take turns using the changing rooms to dry off and get your regular clothes back on. During this time the worship team will lead the congregation in a couple more songs.
One final act: after we all have our regular clothes back on, I will again have you come forward. I and the other elders will anoint you with oil (on your forehead) and pray for you to be filled with the Spirit. Oil is a visible representation of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. As we anoint you with oil, we are asking the Spirit to empower for further growth and life in the kingdom of God.
That’s the basic nuts and bolts for this Sunday. I have tried to think about all the questions you might have but I realize I might have missed some, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Bottom line, the only thing you really need to remember is to show up about 15 minutes early and bring your swimsuit, t-shirt, and towel - everything else I will give you instructions as we go.
Hope this helps. Sorry for the length. I’m looking forward to this Sunday!