Baptism is God's "yes" to us.

On November 4, 1962, the Reverend Theodore Bunt, presided at the Sunday Service at St. Marks Lutheran church in East Toledo. It was a cold day by all reports. A large baby (only 3 months old) was baptized, and my life was changed forever. My parents and sponsors were there. My grandparents were there. Most importantly, Jesus was there as another broken human was claimed by God and washed in the waters of the Holy font. I do not remember that day. I do not remember Pastor Buntz who served many congregations in our synod before his retirement.

Through the years many things happened in my life through the church. Years of Sunday school as a boy at Messiah Lutheran in Point Place. First communion and confirmation at First Lutheran Church in Lafayette, Louisiana. Pastor Machinsky was the pastor at Messiah, and Pastor Lineberger was the pastor who confirmed me. These pastors had a huge impact on my life. I never dreamed that one day I would follow in their footsteps and become a pastor myself.

Growing into adult life, like it does for so many of us, life got in the way and I stopped attending church. My life was VERY full. Through all those years of sin and non-atonement, one person always reminded me about that cold November day at St. Marks. My godmother, Aunt Patty, every year without fail would send me a card on November 4. In the card she would always write, "remember God loves you and so do I". Those cards sustained me through the years. Those cards sustained me through some very dark days. Those cards probably saved my life, or more importantly, saved me from the life I was leading.

Baptism is God's "yes" to us. A washing and a claiming by God of the person. This month, four of our members will say "yes" back to god as they affirm their baptism. Confirmation is our chance to acknowledge the transformed life we all live together to the Glory of God and His Kingdom. When baptized we are changed by Christ into a new creation. We are ordered for service in the world. I will say that Cheryl, Ella, Kaelin, and Jackson are all ordered for service in our community and the world. We are blessed by their presence. All of them have worked very hard. They are all ready to offer to God just a little in return for what God has given them. Please join me in congratulating them.

In closing, I want to repeat once again what I always say. I am proud to be your pastor. I know there are times when in the weakness of the moment, or the distraction of the day, I might not always show you how I feel. The truth is that I am still in many ways just like that little baby from 1962, in desperate need of God's Grace. I am proud to be your pastor. I am humbled by the trust you put in me to lead BOTH communities. God willing, I will continue to serve with you for many years to come.

Peace,
Pastor Bob