Pastor’s Corner “The Baptismal Font”

We thank you that by faith and through the waters of Baptism we die to sin and are reborn in Christ. Grant through your Spirit that those baptized here may enjoythe liberty and splendor of the children of God.(“Dedication of the Font,” BCP 2019)

Many of you will have noticed our new Baptismal Font standing just inside the Nave as you enter for worship. Its placement is intentional! It stands as a reminder that we enter the promises and the people of God through the waters of baptism. On future Sundays, the Font will be filled with holy water, a weekly invitation to remember and renew your baptismal vows. Dip your fingers in the water as you pass, make the sign of the cross, and receive again the grace flowing from the Father through Jesus by the Holy Spirit into your life.

This beautiful Font is an original creation fashioned by Ryan Schroeder, the same artisan who made the cross hanging on the stone wall behind the Holy Table. In a wonderful movement of creativity and symbolism, the Font’s stand is made from the same wooden beam as that cross, bearing the same cracks. The bowl and base are carved from an oak tree from Ryan’s home, located a mere five miles from Immanuel.

We are very grateful to the people whose generosity made it possible to commission this important piece so central to our life as the Church.

Bishop Chris will dedicate our Font this upcoming Sunday. For this significant moment, and for all future baptisms, we will move the Font to the center of the Nave so all can see and celebrate the power of what is conveyed at Baptism: the cleansing of sin, rebirth into eternal life in Jesus, the giving of grace and the Holy Spirit, and participation in the promises and people of God our Father.

This Sunday Bishop Chris will also lay hands on those who have completed the Confirmation class. “Through the Bishop’s laying on of hands and prayer for daily increase in the Holy Spirit, God strengthens the believer for Christian life in the service of Christ and his kingdom” (BCP 2019). After the 8am service, all will have the opportunity to greet the Bishop at a brief reception. After the 10:30am service, a Question and Answer session will follow the reception.

I encourage everyone to attend one of our two services so that you can participate in the joyful experience of connecting with our larger Diocesan family by welcoming and receiving from our Bishop—his presence, his preaching, his celebrating. Even more importantly, Bishop Chris will turn our attention to Jesus, reorienting us to the grace-giving authority of our one true King.

Your Pastor in Christ,