e-news for week of 3/14/10

We had a crowd back in the baptistery area this past Sunday during third service. Frankly, I’d love Forum to be the first church to ever wear out a baptistery. People coming, saying “Yes – Jesus is Lord” and imitating Christ. Jesse Bunse, Sarah Schaffner, and Kate Buster were all baptized during third service.

So many facets to the event of baptism that I love.

I love the simplicity – I mean – come on – death, burial, and resurrection wrapped up in a single event.
I love the scriptures that reveal the event: washing with water through the word, the clothed with Christ, the raised to walk a new life, the signifying the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, and I could write on. What a great event.
I love the humility we display in that this is literally a “lowering” event. The baptistery isn’t a place we strut into. We walk into it with the humility of knowing we’ve sinned and fallen short. We walk into it knowing our need for a savior.
I love the savior, Jesus Christ, who is at the center of this event. This event tells the story – the story of his death, burial, and resurrection that we are now part of and share in.
I love the level of joy that wells up within those who yield to Christ in this way. I’ve seen couples embrace and nearly weep as they were baptized together. I’ve seen teens with hands raised in triumph. I’ve seen children bouncing up and down. I’ve seen middle school students look like they’ve just had 8 5-hour energy drinks.

Let me encourage you – if you have not ever been immersed – to yield yourself over to Christ in this event. Just as Christ was given as a gift for your benefit, Christ gave us baptism for your benefit.

Work day will happen this Saturday at 7 a.m. Any amount of time you can give will be of great service. Dress in a manner that is appropriate for painting.

Speaking of service – thanks for the feedback from both campuses this past Sunday. It was great to hear Jody Riley did a great job out north. I’m proud of every one of our staff members for their willingness to serve and step up. Let me encourage you to build our staff up in word and deed. This is a great staff and will only continue to build and grow.

Last – this Sunday night during our youth group times we will be having a commercial shot. We need every elementary and middle school parent to sign an image release form. If you do not want your young person in a commercial for Forum – please tell the elementary leader – Katelyn Morris or the middle school leader – Jody Riley so the filming crew keeps them out of frame. We’re excited about the people of Columbia this may impact. I’ll talk more about this in an upcoming e-news.

If you want to read ahead for this week – we’ll be in Luke 22 as Jesus continues to put on his gameface and head toward the cross. Looking forward to worshiping with you this upcoming Sunday. — Scott