This Week at All Saints’ [page 3]
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Dear Friends,
What a rich day we have in store today – being reminded of God’s love for us all in the Gospels at 8am and 6.30pm, reflecting on the wonder of the psalms at our Worship for Everyone service where we will also baptise Margot to bring her and welcome her into the family of Christ and the Church.
Michael Green once suggested that baptism is like being given the gift of a car when you’re young – it’s left in the garage until you decide you want to take it out and use it. A useful analogy, to some extent, reminding us that we do play a part in our relationship with God but I can’t help think how rusty and unlikely to run that car would be! Just shows how you should never take analogies too far!
It’s certainly true, however, that baptism is a gift – an unconditional gift from
God who, by His grace, hopes that at some time – the right time – we will realise
the true worth of that gift and allow it to transform our lives. With what result?
To become completely human. That is what is in the blueprint that was set down at
our conception – that our freedom lies in our alignment with God’s will, contrary
to where we might think freedom lies. The disciples discovered this and that is why
we still remember them, by name and reputation, over two thousand years later -
.
We hope and pray that Margot, and all who are baptised, may come to that knowledge
as soon as is right for them, that she may know God’s ever-
Many of the psalms reflect the love and faithfulness of God but we needed the vision of God incarnate in Jesus Christ to bring everything into focus. In Him, and only in Him, lies the fulfilling richness of our faith.
Yours in Christ,
Last Updated 4 February 2012
