"Look, here is water!" That's what the Ethiopian eunuch said to Philip as
they rode along the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. The story is found in
Acts 8: 26 – 40, if you care to read it again. I am often reminded of the
eunuch's statement as we travel. When we come to a river or lake, I'll
tell Carla, or she'll tell me, "Look, here is water!" Of course it seems
like a great understatement to be identifying something so obvious as a
river or lake, but it does serve to remind us also of baptism. The eunuch
was excited to come upon that water for precisely that reason…"What is to
prevent me from being baptized?"
How often do you encounter water in a day? Water for drinking. Water for
bathing. Water for washing things. Water for growing plants. Perhaps water
as rain or dew. Maybe water in a stream or pond you pass by. Have you ever
consciously thought or said, "Look, here is water?" Or remembered Luther's
encouragement to daily be renewed in your baptism?
A new brother in Christ was baptized Sunday at Salem. Little Tommy was
probably not that aware of the things happening in that service. He might
have noticed the water, though, as it was poured over his head. I
especially noticed the welcome that comes at the end of the baptism, when
we invited our new brother to join us in our shared mission: "giving
thanks and praise to God and bearing God's creative and redeeming word to
all the world." Even though we have said that welcome many times, this
time I was struck with the simplicity of our calling as children of God.
Not that the day by day situations of life will always be simple. But the
guiding purpose that holds us together is plain and simple: Give God the
glory, and share the good news of his redeeming word. That word is Jesus.
Salem's mission statement says it another way: "Living Christ's Love."
For several Sundays this fall, a theme in Salem's worship will be
"Journey." The sending hymn will be "I'm Going On a Journey." (ELW 446)
"I'm going on a journey, and I'm starting today. My head is wet, and I'm
on my way. Christ's mark is on me; it's on you, too; it says he loves me,
and he loves you, too!" Our life is a journey with God, as individuals and
as the Salem community. Every baptism celebrated, and the watery reminders
of each day, can keep us on the right path. By the way, the tune of that
hymn is called "Wet Saints." Look, here is water!
May God bless us all on our journey of faith.
Ron Vanatta
This week at Salem:
Affirmation of Baptism will be celebrated at the 10:30 service Sunday,
Sept 19. Confirmands will take this next step along their faith journey.
Confirmation classes and choirs begin this Wednesday, while handbells and
puppets start Thursday. Complete schedules are on the calendar at Salem's
website: www.salemsycamore.org
ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson will hold an online town hall forum
Sunday, Sept 19, from 4:00 to 5:00. The live webcast will be presented on
the new audio/video system in Salem's fellowship hall. All are invited to
share in this event. Questions can be submitted online during the forum.
See http://www.elca.org/townhall for additional information.
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