Epiphany Sunday

This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom is all my delight

Listen to Him

Today is the day we baptize our son in hopes that he will  learn to love, find joy in, and learn from His Son. 

Sometimes God just knows what you need!

This was my God Pause devotional for today.............

"All who believe and are baptized shall see the Lord's salvation."

What do babies know and believe? They know when they are loved. They sense when they are safe. They believe that certain things are to their benefit: a feeding, a change of diapers, a good burp, and a warm nap.

What do we know and believe? Pretty much the same thing, minus the diaper and burp. We know when we are loved. We sense when we are safe. And we believe that there are certain things that are beneficial for this life.

What has God promised to us in baptism? He has promised that we are loved and that we are safe in the arms of Jesus. He has promised that what we need for this life and the life to come--forgiveness, life and salvation--is given freely by a God who loves us so very much.

What do you know and believe?

Dear Lord, on this day we give thanks for the gift of our baptisms. As you first washed us with this water, continue to wash over us with your presence. Renew us, restore us, revitalize us to be the people you have called us to be. Amen.

Mark A. Grorud
St. Michael Lutheran Church, Omaha, Neb.
Master of Divinity, 1979

"All Who Believe and Are Baptized," ELW 442
1 All who believe and are baptized
Shall see the Lord's salvation;
Baptized into the death of Christ,
They are a new creation;
Through Christ's redemption they will stand
Among the glorious heav'nly band
Of ev'ry tribe and nation.

2 With one accord, O God, we pray,
Grant us your Holy Spirit;
Help us in our infirmity
Through Jesus' blood and merit;
Grant us to grow in grace each day
By holy Baptism, that we may
Eternal life inherit.

Today at church we discussed Jesus's baptism.  Also, one of the most darling, happiest baby girls was baptized.  Then I got this devotional in my in box.  Apparently, God has decided that it's time that B and I discuss puddin's spiritual future.  I grew up Catholic, and he grew up Episcopalian.  We were married in the Episcopal Church, and as long as we find an Episcopalian community here that we like, our children will be raised this way.  It is not that I don't love and appreciate the Catholic Church or the upbringing I received there.  We have talked quite a bit and decided that the Episcopal Church meets our current needs as a couple and, hopefully, as a family.  We did like the church we attended this a.m. and will be going back a few times to see if it's a good fit.  If it stands as our new church home, we then have to make the baptism decision..........................when to do it, who will be Godparents, what puddin' will wear, etc.  We're going to talk with both sets of parents this week to discuss our options on dates (Nov 2010, Jan 2011, Easter 2011, Pentacost 2011) and see what they think.  The Episcopal Church has set dates for baptism, and while I would prefer to baptize earlier rather than later (I was baptized at 3 weeks), we'll have to wait for awhile.  Did you all baptize your children?  When (or when were you yourself baptized)?  Any suggestions or things I need to know?  And, isn't this just a lovely devotional? 

Freezing legs- help me please!!

Okay, at what point on the temperature scale are you allowed to wear pants to church rather than a skirt or dress? I've definitely always been the "dress up" for church girl- definitely brought on by my very strict dress code mom. However, we went to church on Sunday, and it was only 13 degrees, and my legs were FREEZING outside and not much warmer inside.  (Yes, I was wearing nylons that were thin (pre-pregnancy tights are no longer fitting) however, tights are not THAT much warmer!!)

I definitely love to wear dresses in the summer- mostly because I own tons of darling sundresses/Lilly dresses that are fun to wear.  I do have quite a few winter dresses and skirts that I have for work attire, so it's not the lack of them that is making me question this.  However, churches are often large with huge soaring ceilings and therefore do not warm up well, especially here in the frozen tundra.  Many, many other people wear jeans to church, and while this is not something I will ever do (my mother's voice would be nagging me the whole service), are dress pants appropriate?  What about leggings with a really cute tunic or longer top? 

So, my fashionable and God fearing readers, I'm asking you to let me know what "appropriate" church attire is in the winter and at what temperature do you just give up and put the warmest thing on you own, praying that God realizes that you want to worship him however you can't do it if your teeth are chattering??  Thanks!  Mwah!!!

Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, or the first day of Lent. While I miss the joyful praise songs during this church season, I do love the contemplation it brings. I won't be able to attend services today as I am at work until 8 p.m., I will head down to the hospital chapel for ashes. B and I have decided to give up sweets this year. It will be tough for both of us! I do not subscribe to the "Sundays off" philosophy where on each Sunday you are allowed to indulge in that which you have given up. I realize this makes Lent 5 days longer (because the Sundays are not included in the 40 day count), but to me it just feels like cheating. I also found a website that delivers a daily devotional to my email each day for the 40 days. I'm hoping this will help me take a few minutes during the middle of each day to quietly pray and remember why Lent is important to those who believe in the Christian faith.

Have any of you given anything up this year? Or are you adding something such as daily devotionals or Bible readings? I'd love to hear about it!!