January 24, 2010

Today's class, led by Mrs. Turner and assisted by Mr. Tobin, focused on the Sacrament of Baptism. Following Session 8 in our curriculum, we explained the meaning of Baptism and the various things that it symbolizes: the welcoming of a new person into the Christian family, a new beginning, the washing away of sins, and God claiming us as His own.


As usual, we began by taking the weekly collection, after which we stood and sang the Doxology, recited the Apostles Creed and the Lord's Prayer. We then turned to our lesson for the day.


We explained that Baptism is one of two sacraments that we recognize as Presbyterians, the other being the Lord's Supper. We also mentioned that our friends and neighbors in the Roman Catholic church recognize seven sacraments (baptism, confession, holy communion, confirmation, marriage, holy orders, and the last rites), and that this was one of the disagreements (Just how many sacraments are there?) in the early days of the Christian church.


Next, we looked at pictures that Mrs. Turner had brought in to show different ways that people are baptized. We saw the familiar version with babies and water poured or sprinkled on their heads, as well as older people being baptized by immersion, sometimes standing in a river and being "dunked." We talked about the importance of water in baptism.


Turning to our bibles,we read the passage in Matthew (3:13-17) to learn how John the Baptist was baptizing people in the River Jordan, telling them to "repent," to change their ways and stop doing bad things, because "the kingdom of heaven has come near." We also read how Jesus came one day to be baptized by John. Of course, John felt that it was not right that he should baptize Jesus, that it should be the other way around. Jesus, however, insisted, so John baptized him. We read that, immediately after Jesus was baptized, the spirit of God descended like a dove, and the voice of God was heard saying "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."


We concluded our lesson with a prayer and, it being Empty Bowls Sunday, all rushed off to the Assembly Room for soup!