One of the great Sundays of the year is just around the corner - Celebration Sunday! Yet again we will set aside time to pause, reflect and give thanks for the work of God among us this year. The gospel has been proclaimed in our gatherings, in our families, among friends and neighbours. God has been at work among people of every age and Celebration Sunday gives us the chance to see it, to recognise God’s grace among us, and to allow our thankfulness to God to deepen and overflow.
On Sunday 22 November we will be combining our two morning services into one gathering at 9.45am. We’ll hear God’s Word preached. We’ll listen to stories of grace. We’ll witness public professions of faith and celebrate baptisms. It’s going to be a truly uplifting morning.
At 4pm we’ll hold our Youth Baptism and Confirmation Service, where we will see many young people testify to God’s goodness in their lives. Bishop Chris Edwards will be with us.
At Night Church at 6pm, there will be more baptisms and public testimonies, the Word will be proclaimed and Christ will be honoured as people share how he has transformed their lives. I can’t wait!
So today, I want to ask you, is this your moment to be baptised or confirmed or to publicly declare your faith to the world?
When we’re baptised, we’re publicly indicating that we are part of Jesus’ story: we have died with him, risen with him, and we are walking with him. Romans 6 says, “We were buried with Christ through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead… we too may live a new life.”
That’s not a religious ceremony. That’s resurrection. It’s saying, “The old me is gone. The new me, the forgiven, Spirit-filled me, is alive.”
Many of us, myself included, were baptised as infants and I am a massive fan of infant baptism for lots of reasons. I was born into a Christian family and baptism is a covenant sign of my inclusion in faith. Moreover, infant baptism beautifully pictures the reality that salvation is all of God. I did nothing to arrange my baptism just as I did nothing and brought nothing to my salvation in Christ. Simply to the cross I cling!
Now, we don’t rebaptise people who were baptised as infants because Jesus died once so we are only baptised once. But we do offer a moment for confirmation of baptism promises or a public testifying to the grace of God in your life if that would be appropriate. So if you have previously been baptised but had a significant reignition or rebirth of faith, please reach out.
And if you have never been baptised or christened as a child, youth or adult and have become a Christian recently or been a Christian for a while we would love you to consider being baptised in November at church.
Maybe you grew up around church, or maybe you’re new to faith, well here is your moment. Sunday November 22. Not because it earns you anything, but because it expresses what God has already done in your heart. It’s the outward sign of an inward grace.
If you have never been baptised and are keen to consider it, please reach out to me or a member of the team or fill out this form and we will get back to you.
Equally, if you have children or teenagers who are expressing interest in being baptised, please reach out. Speak to Tash or Jesse and they will be able to give you some guidance and help.
We believe people can be baptised at any age because we believe people of all ages can come to know and love the Lord Jesus and take their place in the life of the church.
So on November 22, among other things, we’re going to celebrate new life.
And I’d love you to think: is this your moment? Your moment to declare to the world that you are a follower of Jesus.
Please reach out this week. We would love to chat to you.
