This morning in Church Collective Worship, we learnt about Baptism. Revd Dee talked about how becoming baptised (or christened as we often hear it called) brings us to being Christ like. John was preaching a baptism of repentance for remission of sins, and was John was preparing the way for Jesus to come. He did what God wanted and taught people about Jesus. Jesus went to meet John at the Jordan River, and Jesus wanted John to baptise Him. After Jesus was baptised, he came up immediately out of the water, and the Heavens were opened up to him and Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove, and a voice from Heaven said 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'. Revd Dee explained that when people are baptised, and these can be babies, children or adults, they are bought to church where they are signed with the cross in holy oil, and then have blessed holy water sprinkled on them. Children are brought to baptism by their parents and Godparents are also chosen by parents to support them with raising their child in the way of Christ. As children get older, they are welcomed to confirm their baptism vows, as are adults, through what is known as Confirmation, and you will have seen a notice through Weduc advising that St Patrick's will be hosting Confirmation training, and then a service of Confirmation following this. Please do feel free to speak to Revd Dee or myself should you be interested in coming forward for Confirmation. Following this we had beautiful prayers led by our wonderful Church CREW, sang the Lord's Prayer together, then joined and sang the wonderful children's hymn, 'Come on and Celebrate'. We were then delighted to celebrate through singing Happy Birthday the Jesus way, to Alfie in Reception, and Charlie in Year 3 - Happy Birthday to both of them.
