Almighty God,
We thank you for the freedom we have to come together in fellowship in You. We thank you for this place of refuge and for this church family, whom you’ve gathered by the Holy Spirit, to receive your gifts this morning. To receive forgiveness, restoration, and new life in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Lord, we ask that you be the shield around us as you continue to gather us, feed us, bless us and sustain us.
Settle our busy and restless minds and hearts this morning. Make us vessels to receive your promise of a peace that is deeper and richer than anything we can imagine. Peace in Jesus Christ. Peace that passes all understanding.
Lord, You say “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them”. Today we rejoice that we get to witness and participate in your baptism of little Griffin Paul. We get to witness and celebrate as you grow your church and your Kingdom. We get to witness and celebrate visible, tangible Gospel, as you seal him with, and in, your mighty name. Gifting faith into his heart, pouring in your Spirit, and creating his life anew.
Lord, Cause each of us to remember our own baptism today and everyday. As an event in history, in our story, when we were grafted in to your history and your story. Have us remember that in baptism you are keeping your promises, capturing and claiming us as full heirs of your kingdom by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of you and your work alone.
Rest us in the truth that in baptism we have been buried with Christ into His death, and we do not have to be afraid of the tomb in which we will one day rest, because you have already been there. In your gift of Holy Baptism we pass through your grave and into your resurrection.
Have us hear the fulfilled promise you spoke through St. Paul: “You are the children of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
All this we pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ the crucified, Jesus Christ the Risen, Jesus Christ the Living, Jesus Christ the reigning King of Kings.
AMEN.