Bill’s Bestowals:
“The Kingdom Bringer”
“Then Jesus came to them and said,
‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
(Matthew 28:18-20)
We had a truly blessed event at the church in October: Not only did we have a New Member’s Class join us (WELCOME, Willam Gorsuch, Mira Robins and Colton Watkins!!) but a baptism was included in the process! Willam had proven that he had such strong biblical knowledge during the class that I never would have guessed that he had not been baptized. When asked if he would like to be baptized, he affirmed his desire in a way that left no doubt! What beautiful enthusiasm!
Baptism morning arrived. I told Willam that the baptism would take place immediately following the message, and I could see that he was on the edge of his seat with anticipation. Twice during the message he stood, hoping that the big moment had arrived. “You’re eager, aren’t you?!” I asked. He readily affirmed it. “Soon. Patience. Soon ….”
Then the moment came. Please understand: we Presbyterians look at baptism NOT as the thing that saves us, but rather, a joyful response to God’s invitation. According to our Book of Order, it is God who calls us, and “baptism is the visible sign of that call and claim on a human life, and of entrance into the membership of the church.”
Some Christians love to debate the amount of water that “must be” used for a baptism to “take.” We Presbyterians simply say, “The amount of water doesn’t matter. What matters is what is happening in the heart of the one being baptized.” That said, I teasingly asked Willam his preference concerning the amount of water I would use: “Do you want to be real wet, medium wet, somewhat dry, what?”
His response was priceless: “Somewhat dry, but … medium wet.” I’m pretty sure I followed his preference to the letter. Kind of hard to tell, truthfully.
What I hope the reader will hear in this instance: Willam came to his moment of baptism with the perfect frame of heart. He was vibrant, enthusiastic, joyful and eager to express his faith through this “visible sign of the call of God!”
What I hope the reader will hear about baptism: though you only need to be baptized once (to do so more than once would be to say that Jesus’ death on the cross for your sake was neither sufficient nor lasting), you should always “remember your own baptism, and be grateful.”
Here is an exercise I meant to share with you on the morning of Willam’s baptism: Whenever you witness the baptism of another person, listen to the questions that are asked of that person, and see if they are true of you. Since I missed that opportunity, I’ll give the questions to you now:
Q: (Your name here), who is your Lord and Savior?
A: Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.
Q: Trusting in God’s mercy, do you choose to turn away from sin and toward Jesus?
A: I do.
Q: Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying His Word and showing His love?
A: I will, with God’s help.
Willam answered those questions with wholehearted precision. Can you answer them as he did? If so, you just reaffirmed your own baptism! Now may your life be a living testimony to what you affirm!
“May the Lord bless and keep you …” always! Pastor Bill
- S. – I am once again overwhelmed by the love and kindness expressed on “Pastor Appreciation Sunday!” A car full of balloons, punny gifts too numerous to name, a pizza night out, annual season passes to the OLT, beautiful words of affirmation, “Pastor Bill is Tree-mendous” on both a cake and the church marquis, and even lovely LEAVES with all your names on it … what WONDERFUL gifts you LEAVE me! I am truly grateful!
This Saturday!
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November 2023 Calendar:
Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.
Wednesday: Grief Share at 1 p.m. (in parlor)
LIFT at 5 p.m.
November 1: Fellowship Committee Meeting – 3 p.m.
November 4: DON’T FORGET to “Fall Back” on Saturday evening!!
November 7: Christian Education Committee Meeting – 10:30 a.m.
November 7: Mission Committee Meeting – 5 p.m.
November 7: Membership & Evangelism Meeting – 6 p.m.
November 9: Worship Committee Meeting – 12:15 p.m.
November 13: S. F. A. Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.
November 14: Building & Grounds Committee Meeting – 10 a.m.
November 15: Session Meeting – 5:30 p.m.
November 18: Christmas Bazaar – 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
November 19: Fellowship Potluck Meal – follows Worship
November 19: Community Thanksgiving Meal – 5 p.m.
November 23: Thanksgiving Day
November 30: Ouachita Strings Recital – 4 p.m.
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
4 – Chiquita Weiss 11 – Karen & Tony Mosier
7 – Sondra Bruce 23 – Linda Murphy
10 – Judy Weir 25 – Susie Nelson
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Annette & Bill Hays
Communion Preparers: Delta Reed
Communion Servers: Leon Myers, Garrett Lundberg, Judy Thompson
Wes Stiefer & William Edwards II
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
November 5: Personal Care Collection
November 26: Goodland Academy
