Matthew 3: 13-16
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
One of the most exciting and life changing experiences for people coming to faith in Jesus Christ is the decision and timing of being baptized in water. Water is a symbol of life, refreshment, and cleansing. What better symbol is there for coming to faith in Jesus Christ and beginning a new journey in life? Some people are baptized as adults being immersed in a body of water sometimes large and other times small. Some people were baptized as babies or as children with their parents or family guardians vouching for them to be raised as a Christian in a Christian home. Either way it is a sacred and wonderful time to be remembered and celebrated as a child of God coming into the Kingdom of God through his Son Jesus Christ.
We will be having a baptismal service in the Niagara River at Beaver Island state park. It will be a joyous time to watch people being baptized for the first time and for others they will remember their baptism and reaffirm once more the grace and cleansing power of God as they are immersed in the waters of the Niagara River. Anyone is welcome to witness this occasion. Christians are distinguished from others by their baptism and also regeneration of mind, body, and soul otherwise known as new birth or being “born again” as Jesus instructed a secret disciple named Nicodemus. Shall We Gather at the River is an old hymn that some of us might remember from years ago.
Well, that song is still in our church hymnal and what place is more fitting for it to be sung than at the Niagara River on August 17, 2025. We will gather at Beaver Island State Park, Grand Island NY at 11am for an outdoor Worship and Baptism Service with a lunch to follow. Contact our church office if you are interested in being Baptized?
Will you also join us at the River?
God bless,
Pastor Chris
