A Sermon Preached by Rev. Jean Niven Lenk

Scripture Lesson:

From the Gospel of Mark, Chapters 1:

⁴John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ⁶Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. ⁷He proclaimed, ‘The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. ⁸I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.’

⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. ¹¹And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’

"Committing to Christ"

A Message Preached by
Rev. Jean Niven Lenk

at the First Congregational Church of Stoughton

United Church of Christ

It was only a couple of weeks ago that we celebrated the birth of Jesus. And last week, Epiphany Sunday, we celebrated the visit of Wise Men to the Christ Child. But we don’t know a whole lot about what happens over the ensuing 30 years of Jesus’ life. We can surmise that he probably assisted his father in his carpenter's shop and learned the Torah. The Gospel of Luke gives us a snapshot of Jesus at twelve, when he stays behind to debate the scholars in the Temple while his family frantically searches for him. And then Luke says simply that “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.”

But the most important part of the Jesus’ story begins with his coming to the River Jordan to be baptized. There are very few stories about Jesus that appear in all four gospels. But those that do are clearly essential to the Christian faith. One is, of course, his passion and resurrection. And another is his baptism.

The day Jesus is baptized is, in a sense, the most important day of his life. It is the day on which he answers God's call. And in accepting his call, Jesus sets an example for his disciples to follow -- not just the disciples who accompany him during his Galilean ministry, but also us.

At his baptism, Jesus says “yes” to God’s purpose for his life. And when we are baptized, we begin a relationship with Christ which is nourished, fed, strengthened, enriched and kept alive through the hearing and reading of God's Holy Word; through the sharing of the bread and cup of communion; and through faithful living within a community of believers.

In a few minutes, we will be receiving with joy eight new members to this church. Over the past few months, Susan, Fred, Jenn, John, Al, Marlene, and Murray have attended a series of Covenant Classes and pondered in depth the sacred promises they make today before God and this congregation.

The questions they will be asked are the same ones asked when one is baptized, or affirming one’s baptism at confirmation

Do you renounce the powers of evil and desire the freedom of new life in Christ?

Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?

Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the way of our Savior, to resist oppression and evil, to show love and justice, and to witness to the work and word of Jesus Christ as best you are able?

Do you promise, according to the grace given you, to grow in the Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ, celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in all the world?

These are big questions, important questions, solemn questions. They may make us pause and think. And that’s a good thing. I know that our new members have pondered in depth these questions and the covenantal vows they will be making in a few minutes before God and this congregation. For in answering these questions, they will be committing to Christ and pledging to nurture their faith journeys within this covenantal community; they will be making a commitment to follow in the way of Jesus; to witness to his work and word; to participate in the life and mission of this church family, and to be Christ’s disciples.

And they will not go it alone as they live out these holy vows, for the grace and help of God will be with them. And so will this community of faith. Because we will all be promising to them our friendship and prayers as we share the hopes and labors of Christ’s church and grow together as Christ’s disciples.

And just as Susan, Fred, Jenn, John, Al, Marlene, and Murray will be taking these sacred vows, this morning the rest of us also have the opportunity to commit to Christ by re-affirming our baptismal covenant and our holy promises to God, to each other, and to this church. Whether it is for the first time or once again, this morning we commit to the God who long ago committed to us.

And so, let us now welcome with joy eight new members into this family of faith, and, committing to Christ, reaffirm our baptismal covenant.