Dear Friends,
This Sunday will be a wonderful Sunday in the life of our church as we welcome more new members and communicants. In addition, we will have three baptisms! What a wonderful joy it will be to celebrate this sacrament as a church family. The baptism will include one infant baptism as well as two believer's baptisms.I am thankful when God's Word aligns with the life of His church. This Sunday, we will be in Joshua 5 and two covenant ceremonies will be highlighted, circumcision and Passover. We do not celebrate these ceremonies as a church anymore as they have been replaced by the sacraments of baptism and Communion. But looking back at how these covenant ceremonies were important reminders of God's love and a means of grace to God's people will give us strength and assurance of how baptism and Communion are for the good and blessing of Christ's church.The Sacraments are an important part of the local church and the edification of God's people. As the Westminster Confession teaches us, "Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ, and his benefits; and to confirm our interest in him: as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church, and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word." Often we can get caught up thinking that only singing or the sermon are the only really important parts of a worship service but this is not so according to Scripture! Baptism and Communion are for our good and are meant to spiritually strengthen us.I'm thankful that last Sunday and this Sunday, the sacraments will be on full display as we reflect on the goodness and grace of God. I look forward to celebrating them with you!See you Sunday!by His Grace and to His Praise,Wilson
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