At our Sunday 10am service, we were delighted to be able to witness Noah go through the waters of Baptism.
Water Baptism is an act of obedience to the commands of Christ. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28-19.20
Baptism declares that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public confession of your faith in, and commitment to, Jesus Christ. It is the next step after salvation through repentance and faith and is an important foundation for the Christian life.
Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection. Our entrance into the water during baptism identifies us with Christ’s death on the cross, His burial in the tomb, and His resurrection from the dead. It shows that you love, trust and have put your hope in Christ.
“Going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive—right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:12-14 MSG
If you have any questions or are interested in exploring your faith or baptism further, please either put a note on your Care Card or contact the Church Office during the week, so we can arrange for you to meet with a Pastor.
Here are some prayers and blessings written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christians
Aboriginal Sunday is observed in your church or faith community the Sunday before January 26 (therefore the date changes each year).
Pray for justice, healing and true reconciliation in these lands
Blessing by Uncle Vince Ross
May the God of creation warm your heart like the campfires of old
Bring wisdom and peace as shown to the first peoples of this land
Shake off the dust from the desert plains by the refreshing rains
Followed by the glow and warmth of the sun
Let the light of God show us the right path and stand tall like the big
River gums drawing life from the ever flowing waters.
An Aboriginal Prayer For Truth and Hope by Brooke Prentis
May the God of all wonder who set the stars in the sky,
bless you with relentless unsettledness –
that drives you to seek truth.
May the God of all justice who gave motion to the rivers,
bless you with righteous anger –
that drives you to seek freedom for all.
May the God of all love who placed laughter in the kookaburra,
bless you with the friendship –
that looks like the love where one lays down their life for another.
May the God of all comfort who determined the height of the mountains,
bless you with tears from shared pain and mourning –
that shows you hope.
Now with wonder, righteous anger, sacrifice, and lament –
Go in truth, justice, love, and hope –
to Change The Heart of Australia.
Our Prayer for Israel and Palestine
Loving God, we come to you in this time of tragedy, after the sudden loss of loved ones
due to the conflict in Israel and Palestine. For those who have been injured, captured,
and for those whose homes have been destroyed. Father, we ask for your loving arms
to embrace our brothers and sisters who are in so much pain.
Loving God, we pray for a miraculous de-escalation of this dangerous conflict. Terrible
things are being done, many hundreds have died, hospitals are overflowing, many are
suddenly grieving. Violence is provoking violence but we pray for reason to prevail over
rage and revenge.
Loving God, as the people grapple with the severe loss, the injury and destruction that
is all around them. God, we remember that you are higher than any other, we ask you
to hold them in their time of anguish and uncertainty. May your presence and your
compassion bring them peace.
Loving God, we lift up the people of Israel and Palestine. We pray for all those
impacted, and we pray for active and effective peacemaking. Lord we also pray for the
first responders, the medical professionals, the rescue workers, and for all those who
volunteered to offer a helping hand. We pray that you grant them strength and courage
in the hours and days to come.
Loving God, we pray for all Christians in the Holy Land, that they would be your hands
and feet in this time. Give them strength to love both Jews and Muslims in their time of
despair. May they be your peacemakers and a witness to your faithfulness and never
ending love for all people.
Loving God, upon you we rely, and to you we turn. You do not waver, and you do not
abandon. Be with the people of Israel and Palestine in these days, and the weeks
ahead as they face the tragedy of loss.
We bring you all of these prayers, and ask them in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
Amen