On our first Sunday of Lent, Michael Thomas (Centre resident, singer in Abendmusik, Regent graduate student in theology) suggested that since Christ's walk to the cross began with his baptism, we should look at Lent through the lens of baptism. We can begin by reflecting on our own baptism, and then on how Jesus' baptism led him directly into the 40-day experiences of the 'desert' of his intellectual life of faith and action. Early Anabaptists saw baptism as a public initiation into the broader assembly of believers and as a public acceptance of the call to go through the wilderness of life. Some were martyred by drowning--their third baptism. Baptism includes the mark of forgiveness, but we are also baptized by our future pain, difficulties and sorrows into a heavenly citizenship. Conrad Grebel's accusers (Martyr's Mirror) tried to show that he was suffering for a mistaken cause. This can plant the seed of uncertainty, reminding us of Psalm 25, "Let me not be put to shame", i.e., reassure me that my faith in you is indeed right. [JEK]

Passage: Ge 9:8-17; Ps 25:1-10; 1Pe3:18-22; Mk1:9-15
Communion: Yes
Ecumenical or Event: Lent 1
Potluck Lunch: Yes
Congregational Meeting: No

Speaker: Michael Thomas
Worship Leader: Karl Brown
Song Leader: Veronica Dyck
Pianist: Ruth Enns
Usher: Henry Neufeld
Zoom Coordinator:
Children's Feature Leader:

Bring Flowers:
Coffee Helper:
Sound Helper:

Child Care Volunteer: