Get Ready to Get Wet!

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus left his followers (including us!) with the one last command: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).  This Sunday, we have a very special opportunity to do just that.

It’s been nearly a year since Jeff Vasalech first joined us in worship.  He moved to the Pittsburgh area from Monterey, CA seeking a fresh start in life.  Over the past year, it has been my joy to journey with Jeff as Jesus has given him the fresh start he was looking for.  In our conversations together, Jeff and I have read the scriptures closely, prayed for God’s transforming grace to be at work in his life, and marveled at how Jesus has made Jeff a new person. 

Now, convinced that he is called to follow Jesus all his days, Jeff is ready to be baptized.  Baptism is an act of God’s grace, in which water symbolizes the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness, and our acceptance into God’s eternal family.

Jeff’s desire from the beginning has been to experience a deep water, full immersion baptism.  This Sunday at 2 p.m., we will hold a special baptism service for Jeff at Campbell Lake.  The lake is owned by owned by a local family and is close to the church.  Out of respect for the family, I will not publish their address on the world wide web, but you can call the c

hurch office (412.963.8155) or email me (pastortom@faithfoxchapel.org) to get the address.

I want to invite you to come and share in this special service.  Baptism is an act of the church, and so it is important that as many of us as possible be present for the service, to witness God’s grace at work in Jeff’s life and to remember our own baptism. 

Following Jeff’s baptism, you will have the opportunity to remember your baptism.  You will be invited to enter the water in whatever way you choose (you can simply dip your feet in, or fully immerse yourself) and I will offer a short prayer over you, asking God to remind you of your place in God’s family.  Feel free to wear your swimsuit and a t-shirt and bring along a towel should you wish to wade deep into the water.

Words can hardly express how excited, honored, and humbled I am to have the opportunity to share in this special service.  I hope to see you there.