This Past Sunday’s Children’s Sermon
First Steps – March 9, 2020
On a recent trip to France, my larger family and I visited several different towns. All the towns had a church in the town center. One such church had the baptismal font in the back of the church. As one entered into the sanctuary, one saw the baptismal font first, then the pews, and finally the altar. A family member asked me, “Why is the baptismal font located in the back of the sanctuary in some churches while in others it is in the front by the altar?” Anecdotally, I’m the only minister in my family, so I receive all the theology questions. I guess that comes with the job.
Nonetheless, I answered, “Because in some churches, they focus on baptism as something you receive, not earned, and it is the symbol of entrance into the family of God. Therefore, as people enter into the sanctuary for worship, they pass by it as a reminder to everyone that even before they sit down in the pew, they have been marked by God and belong to Jesus by grace alone. God’s gift of grace is a gift given and believers are simply receivers of that wonderful gift.” About the time I said that, someone (I’m assuming a church member) walked by the font, dipped her finger into the water, made the sign of the cross on her forehead, sat down in the pew for prayers. I looked over to my family member and said, “she is remembering her baptism, something she received. She is welcomed by God not because she earned it, but because God gives it.”
As I think of that experience, I’m reminded that we are receivers. Grace is a gift from God. This week as you live your life, I hope you will do so with the thought of how much you have received from God. Paul had this in mind when he penned, Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Tish Warren, a contemporary Christian writer, said, “We are marked from our first waking moment by an identity that is given to us by grace: an identity that is deeper and more real than any other identity we will don that day.”
This week’s reading:
- Monday – Colossians 1
- Tuesday –Colossians 2
- Wednesday – Colossians 3
- Thursday – Colossians 4
- Friday – 1 Timothy 1
Please Pray for:
- Our ministers and their families.
- Those who are unwillingly absent.
- The United Methodist Church family.
- Our nation and our leaders.
- The World.
- The Lost.
Fight Hunger at St Paul for All
For More Information, Click Here
Fight hunger locally and globally at this year’s St Paul for All. Partnering with Wynnton Neighborhood Network and Rise Against Hunger, we will collect food for our community and assemble meals that will be delivered all around the world. Mark plans to join us and fight hunger both locally and globally.
