a wonderful baptismal service
Daniel H and Hope S are Baptised
9th Feb 2020
We began the Service by singing the song ‘My Lighthouse’.
Then Daniel gave his testimony: Daniel spoke of how he came to faith at New Wine Christian camp when he was 12; how much he valued everyone who played a part in deepening his faith, especially all the youth groups at Hook, which he been at from the Toddler group, Spectrum, Discovery and Impact, and how delighted he was when we could become members of Hook Church; then, more recently, the inspiring talks etc at Surrey Uni CU.
We sang the song ‘Yet not I, but through Christ in me’, which Daniel had chosen. Below is the link to this song.
Next Hope gave her testimony, she said she had always had a faith, and could have come for Baptism many years ago. However, over the last 2 years, during a period of ill-health, she met with God in a whole-lot deeper way. Hope said how ‘the Sunday School of Rock’ (SSoR) Youth band played a really important role, as she came back to Church after her good health returned. She was so pleased to be able to be Baptised today, and formally testify to her faith in Jesus.
Hope chose for us to sing ‘The Splendour of the King’. Please find the link below. https://youtu.be/tVedvvIXcwk
Pastor Paul Pease then explained more about Baptism - that Baptism doesn't make us perfect but declares an intention to live for Jesus. And that the water of Baptism is a symbol of dying and being raised to new life in Jesus; the water symbolises an inner cleansing; and Baptism is like offering a pledge to follow Jesus.
We sang the song ‘King of Kings’.
This was followed by the Baptisms of Daniel, then Hope. Once in the water they had to answer affirm 3 questions:
that they believed in God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit
that they believed that Christ died for their sin and that they would trust only in Christ for their salvation
that they would confess Christ before the world without shame and that they would seek His will first in their life
After each confession followed the Baptism. with a rapturous applause as they came up from the waters of Baptism, and we sang another verse of their chosen song.
The Service finished with the song : ‘The Greatest Day in History’.
Many people who played a part in this wonderful day - including our Youth band, 'Sunday School of Rock' who played the music. And everyone who brought the tasty food for the lunch, and who arranged the delicious cakes for afterwards, and those who arranged the Baptismal side of things too. Thank you. And praise to God.