September 10, 2026

Thank you! Thank you for your ability to pivot last Sunday. When I woke before dawn, I heard the raindrops and was surprised. Saturday had been such a beautiful day, why not wait one more day. I was overjoyed to have twenty-two of us at West Linn Lutheran Church for our Ecumenical Worship Service. The worship service went smoothly, and it was livestreamed. If you want to watch it, you can find it on the e-news from September 10.

The potluck was a success, and I overheard folks sharing how nice it was to make connections with folks from other congregations. Again, thank you!

​An exciting part of worship this Sunday will be Evelyn’s Baptism. She and her mom approached me several months ago wondering about Baptism. This is our formal reception of people into the Body of Christ. As Lutherans, we believe in one Baptism. We declare this in our Creeds.

Her parents and sponsors are entrusted with responsibilities:
to live with them among God's faithful people,
bring them to the word of God and the holy supper,
teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,
place in their hands the holy scriptures,
and nurture them in faith and prayer,
so that your children may learn to trust God,
proclaim Christ through word and deed,
care for others and the world God made,
and work for justice and peace.
          
This long list can seem overwhelming. Yet, her parents and sponsors are not alone in supporting her in her faith. This is why I will ask all of you: “People of God, do you promise to support Evelyn and pray for her in her new life in Christ?” My hope is that all y’all will enthusiastically respond: we do.
           
Baptism is a great reminder of our connection to water, and forgiveness. Through these waters we are reminded of God’s abundant mercy and invitation to return again and again and again to the waters for refreshment, renewal and the reminder that we are forgiven, set free and sent to be the Body of Christ in the World.

To remember my own baptism, I dip my fingers in the baptismal water and make the sign of the cross. Water, word and action reinforce for me the core reminder that I am a beloved child of God. May this be an invitation for you also to try this simple practice of remembering. Another possibility comes from an old Lutheran Brotherhood magnet with a quote from Luther: “Each time you wash your face, remember your baptism” or something like it.

Tomorrow marks the twenty-five anniversary of four planes crashing into three buildings and an open field in rural Pennsylvania. Many people died, even more continue to live into the trauma of such a horrific event. We each remember where we were, what we were doing, how it has impacted our lives and yet, the child to be baptized on Sunday has no memory of this tragedy. There have been and will continue to be distressing events. Into all these things, I lean into the words of the Psalmist for Sunday: Lord, you are full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.