SERMON NOTES:

Prayer Requests
Y Pray for George Black who is recovering from a surgery.

Y Pray for Alan Shingledecker who is suffering from past injuries. Pray the lawsuit will end so he can have surgery and get off pain killers.

Y Pray for Jerry Hermsens friend

Stephanie who is having a very serious operation on February 8th. Y Pray for Agbor Bakias new job starting this January. Also pray for his family traveling back to Nigeria. Y Pray for Sammuel Atu-Tendohs pain with motion, and itchy eyes. Y Pray for Elaina, a relative of a close friend of Pastor Pauls who is going through a very difficult time. Y Pray for Hussein, Angelicas coworkers husband, who is started treatment for leukemia. Y Pray for Rose Tendoh to find a job with Gods guidance. Y Pray for John Thiessen as he is going through chemotherapy treatment. Y For Peder Gustafson, whose parents are both living with chronic illnesses in the later stages of life. Y For Bobbie Pearson, friend of Gloria Ivers, whos suffering from cancer. Y Pray for Beverly Dols, John Ivers sister, who suffers from lung cancer. Y Pray for Diana Zile-Young, friend of Ivers, who suffers from liver failure. Y Pray for Dave Schwartz and Marg Olson (friends of George & Dianne Black) who are both going through cancer. Y Pray for Ward Sessing, member of the Presbyterian Church of the Way, who is suffering with cancer. Y Pray for Donna McCullen, wife of Ken McCullen, who is suffering from cancer.

DEVOTION
Like many central topics of faith, baptism is a one that has unfortunately generated much controversy. Instead of focusing on the controversy, this devotion lays out some central ideas behind baptism. This week youll learn about the difference between John & Jesus baptism, you learn about two themes that describe baptism, and youll learn about the significance of water in baptism. As you read these passages and devotions, reflect on your own baptism. What does your baptism mean to you? How can you continue to live out the promises given to you in baptism? How can we at Chain of Lakes be a group of disciples whose spiritual foundation is our baptism? Comments and thoughts about the devotion can be E-mailed to Pastor Paul at pastor@colpres.org. Enjoy!! Monday, January 14 Read Matthew 3:1-17 When Jesus was baptized, the understanding of baptism was changed in a revolutionary way. Up until that time people were baptized as a way to confess their sins. It was a ritual of purification. Many people took ritual baths in the Old Testament as a way to become pure. Jesus was without sinhe didnt need to be purified. But he was still baptized. John immediately recognized the contradiction of Jesus asking to be baptized. I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? he asked in verse 14. Jesus baptism was different than the baptism of John. Jesus wasnt baptized to be purified. Instead he was commissioned as Gods son by being

immersed in the Jordan and when the spirit descended upon him as a dove. Baptism was no longer an act of purity. When we are baptized we believe that grace is sealed within us. It can never be taken away. We are purified forever and commissioned as children of God. We certainly can still fall away from God through our actions, but because of baptism God never falls away from us. As you pray today, offer a prayer of praise for Gods constant presence in your life. If you have been baptized, then God is within you. This is something for which we can give thanks and praise daily. Spend some time praising God for this everlasting presence! Tuesday, January 15 Read Romans 6:1-11 Two themes in this story describe baptism. One theme is being baptized into Jesus death. What this means is we are connected into the event that forgives us of our sins. When we are baptized we recognize the forgiveness of sins that we were given to us through Jesus death on the cross. In verse 5 Paul went on to say that if we have been united with him in his death, then we are united with him in the resurrection. We are given the gift of salvation. The other theme was described in verse six. Our old self was crucified through baptism so that our new self will live. Some people have interpreted this passage to mean that we should be baptized as adults. Certainly adult baptism is wonderful, but Paul was talking about something different. He was talking about the new life that is offered to us when we are baptized. This new life is given to us no matter our age. We still will continue sinning (unfortunately) after our baptism, but we have been given the gift of gracenew life.

How is your life different because of your baptism? In the video interviews shared on Sunday one person said that baptism isnt meaningful because we dont think about it. Take some time to think about your baptism. How can you continue to lead a new life because of this gift of baptism you were given? Wednesday, January 16 Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 Often we dont read of passages in the Old Testament that describe baptism. Though Jeremiah wasnt specifically talking about baptism in this passage, the new covenant that he mentioned does include baptism. This new covenant, of course, was the gift of Jesus into the world. This covenant was illustrated through the gift of baptism. One ritual that Presbyterians celebrate is the Reaffirmation of baptism. At Chain of Lakes we celebrated this service this past Sunday. In the service we remember our baptism and pledge to live out the gift that God has given to us. How can you live out your baptism today? In what way can you focus on living out your baptism in the coming weeks? Dont only pray for yourself today. Pray that we as a congregation at Chain of Lakes can be a place where people consciously live out their baptism. May we frequently remind each other that we are baptized and because of this gift we area called to live different lives. Pray that others will notice this difference among the people at Chain of Lakes Church. Thursday, January 17 Read John 3:22-30 In this passage we see the difference between Johns baptism and the baptism that Jesus offered. The followers (or disciples) of John were confused by what Jesus was doing. (This shows that what Jesus was doing was different than the baptism that John offered.) Johns

followers wanted Johns opinion about the baptism that Jesus offered. John was clear in his response that his role was subordinate to Jesus. Johns role was to prepare for the Messiah; he was not the Messiah. John rejoiced at what Jesus was doing. People still confuse Johns baptism and Jesus baptism. As Presbyterians we can participate in many rituals where we seek purification the purpose of Johns baptism. One way we do this is through confessing our sins in worship. We can choose to seek purification in other ways too. We just dont call this ritual baptism. Today as you pray, pray that you can grow closer to God. Spend some time acknowledging the ways you have separated yourself from God. Confess! Confessing is cleansing! Friday, January 18 Read Ezekiel 36:22-32 Water is a central element that signifies new life. In the creation story right before God created light the wind of God swept over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2) In the story of the parting of the Red Sea the water was divided so the Israelites could escape the oncoming Egyptians. (Exodus 14: 21-25) The prophet Amos called for justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5:24) In this passage from Ezekiel the prophet announced that he would sprinkle water upon them and they would receive a new heart and a new spirit. (Ezekiel 36:25-26) This passage is not about baptism, but we can deduce from it the powerful effects of baptism on our life. Another image of baptism is that of a new life. Through the cleansing of our spirit through the waters of baptism we are given a new life, a new spirit, and a new heart. In this passage from Ezekiel a vision is shared

about what happens when people live from Gods spirit. We can apply this vision to what happens when we continually re-claim our baptism. What would happen in our life if our central identity is that of a follower of God? Today as you pray, mediate on this vision shared in Ezekiel. Pray that we at Chain of Lakes Church can be part of living out this vision. Pray that you can do your part too. Life in this world is different because of the waters of baptism!! Praise God. Saturday, January 19 Read Galatians 3:23-29 Verse 27 is one we looked at this past Sunday. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. In the early church candidates for baptism entered with water without any clothes. When they emerged from the water they were given a white garment. This symbolized the new life in Christ that baptism represents. Each day we choose to wear this garment. This garment never leaves us, but sometimes we ignore it. We choose it when we take on the character of Christ. One of the criticisms of Christians or disciples is there is no apparent difference between their life and the life of people who are not followers of Jesus Christ. If we can choose to clothe ourselves with Christ each day, this can change. As you pray today, ask God for help in wearing the garment of Christ. May others see that your life is different because of your relationship with God.