08/01/2023
Hey, FCC family!
It's good to be back from vacation and get back into the routine of life agan. I am excited about our upcoming baptism on August 13th. We have a number of people interested in being baptized. It is going to be a fun time of witnessing people express their decisions to follow Jesus.
Here are some things I want everyone to know regarding that.
1. I have changed the venue for the baptism service. Initially I had planned to have it at the end of the worship service right in the worship center. However, I ran into challenges with regard to practically pulling if off. Inflatable pools aren't big enough and may pop. I need something bigger that is reliable. I was shopping for a stock tank to do it in and they are expensive to get the right size (and cumbersome too). It is also a logistical nightmare to try to pull it off in the worship center. I thought, "Where would we have deep enough water to fully immerse someone, have the water not be freezing cold, not have to worry about getting anything wet, have a place for people to change clothes (put on swimsuits and then back into dry clothes), and be able to have several people watch?" I looked no further than the shallow end of the swimming pool at my house. In fact, one of the reasons we bought that particular house was to do things like this. So, that's where the baptisms will happen. I am going to make the worship service shorter that day and have all of us head to my house (51852 Cheryl Dr. in Granger) by 11am. It will be like having a worship service split into two parts at two locations. I would love everyone to come and celebrate the public declarations of faith. This is important for FCC because baptism is something a church celebrates and supports together--kind of like going to a wedding ceremony. We'll eat at my house after the baptisms (for all those who want to stay for that portion)-- grilling some hot dogs with healthier things added to that. I invite you to bring along something to share (coordinate that with my wife Julie via [email protected]). We can also go swimming after we eat so bring your swimsuit if you want to do that.
2. I would like to have everyone who plans on being baptized to attend the class on Wednesday the 9th at 6:30pm. It is pointless for a person to be baptized if they don't understand what baptism means and what they are declaring by doing it. If you aren't able to be there on the 9th but would like to be baptized, let me know and we might be able to make other arrangements.
3. On the day of the baptism, I would like everyone being baptized to wear modest swimwear. It would be best if everyone wore a t-shirt of some kind--over the swimsuit if you are a gal. We don't want the focus of the day to be diverted/distracted in any way from Jesus, the Gospel and the faith journey of people being baptized.
4. I plan on making baptism certificates for everyone who is being baptized--the kind you can put into a frame and hang on the wall. The sooner I know you are planning to be baptized, the easier it will be for me to make them. Please respond with an email to [email protected] if you plan on being baptized.
Let me know if you have any questions. Blessings and peace to you and your family!
Pastor Peter