Extraordinary Elements

Sermon Notes for 7.27 and 7.30. “Extraordinary Elements”

In the United Methodist Church, there are two sacraments: Holy Communion and Baptism. Both were commissioned by Jesus and are rituals which use common elements to convey God’s gracious presence in our lives. Yet, sacraments are so much more, because God is made real in the washing of the water, breaking of the bread, and sharing of the cup. This is a means of grace for all of God’s people.

This Sunday, we continue our journey in extraordinary as we remember Jesus’ baptism and our own. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and affirmed by God’s Spirit announcing that Jesus was God’s Son, in whom God was well pleased. (Matthew 3:13-17). Do you remember your baptism? Granted that may have occurred before you had memories, so a better question might be, “Do you remember that you are baptized?” You should, because that initiation into Christ's holy church, and incorporation into God's mighty acts of salvation, giving us new birth through water and the Spirit make all the difference as we seek to be Christ’s disciples in the world.

In Christ,

Rev. Sherri