Miles' baptism

Who was baptized this past Sunday??

ME!!

It was a big day here... not only was Miles baptized, but Strider also made his public profession of faith and joined our church! There was much to celebrate.

All the new members, and us

Presenting Miles

Reading the father's blessing

Dean baptizing him

Here is what Pete said:

Miles today we present you before God to become a member of this covenant community, and we seek God’s blessing on you as grow and one day soon profess on your own that you are His child.

We chose your name because it means merciful, and we are reminded on this day of God’s great mercy in giving you to us. As the Psalmist says “The Lord is merciful and gracious; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”

We have experienced God’s mercy in you already and we pray that in His mercy God will grant you His wisdom as you grow and learn how to be a man of God. We hope you always strive to fix your eyes upon Christ, for perfection is found only in him. As a fourth born you and I share a special bond, and I know you will need patience and wisdom… so I pray you will be quick to point to God’s word for truth and not to your own abilities.

We pray that God’s mercy would be on you as you grow and no doubt have struggles in this life. We pray that you would know God’s love early in your life, and like the Psalmist, would be able to say, “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” We pray that He would show you mercy in health, in the decisions you make, and in the relationships you have.

Finally, we pray that God would use you as His instrument as you love others, and that the world would see His great mercy because of you and through you.

To paraphrase the prophet Micah, “He has shown you O little man what is good: and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Since I love patterns so much, this is one thing I have happily realized: all 4 of our children were baptized within the same 8 days of April (in different years). Here are some shots of those other special days:

April 22, 2007

April 27, 2003

April 22, 2001