“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you: and lo I am with you always to the close of the age.”  ~ Matthew 28:19-20           

As we begin a new year, it is right and appropriate that we remember the blessed gift of baptism, where our faith journey begins and revolves.  Scripturally and historically, baptism has been the entrance point into our life with Christ and the all the promises that God gives to us.

Repeatedly throughout Scripture, God attaches great assurances to the Sacrament of Baptism.  Some of those verses are etched into the four sides of our Baptismal font.  They are the Great Commission verses from Matthew, listed above, as well as:

“For the lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd and he will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” ~ Revelation 7:17

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female:  for you are all one in Christ.”  ~ Galatians 3:27-28

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”  ~ Romans 6:4

Each of these verses, as well as all the others in Scripture, serve to remind us of who we are in Jesus Christ.  As we enter into a new year and especially, as we celebrate St Stephen’s 50 years of service to the Longwood community, the Baptismal Font and the blessings that it bestows remain at the center of all that we do!