The Feast of the Baptism of our Lord
The Collect for this Sunday 
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

These reading made me want to sing the Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston duet. it takes two baby, just me and you …
News flash … Jesus did not baptize himself! John baptized Jesus in the river Jordan.  Why? He was Jesus, incarnate of God. We do not do what we do alone! Ever. We baptize when possible in the midst of the community gathered. God calls us all into community. When God spoke long ago to Abram and promised that his and Sarai's descendants would number the stars, that was the promise of community.  

We beloved, are a community of Christians, a community of Episcopalian Christians, a community of Episcopalian Christians who live in and around lake Oswego, Oregon. Are we communities of other things, of other configurations? Of course. However, for this devotion consider that we are committed to living into our baptismal covenant in this community of faith. The covenant made by us, or for us, at our baptism. Our baptismal covenant connects us to each other as it sets us apart to follow the way of Jesus.
 
The community of church is different. This is the community that provides strength, courage and wisdom to grow into the full stature of Christ. A community that supports and encourages others on their journey. A community that helps all of us grow into our baptismal covenant. Or, as the collect suggests, so we all may keep the covenant we have made!

Review this magnificent agreement before Sunday Book of Common Prayer , pages 304 ff.

Hope to see you Sunday as we remember and celebrate the Baptism of our Lord.

It takes two baby, just me and you … at least!

Rev. Alison +
1060 Chandler Road, PO Box 447, Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-636-5618