Nola's Baptism

On Caleb's 4th birthday, May 2nd, we had the joyous celebration of Nola's baptism. She was baptized by Rev. Carness Vaughn at Central United Methodist Church in Rogers. We were excited to share the event not only with our church family, but also with our moms and Rudy's aunt Kathy.

The service was beautiful and we loved that it took place on Caleb's birthday. Carness even made mention of it before the baptism.

Baptism Liturgy

Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism,we are initiated into Christ's holy church. We are incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God's gift, offered to us without price.
(Parents are asked these questions):
On behalf of the whole church, I ask you: Do you believe in God and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
According to the grace given you, will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?
Will you nurture this child in Christ's holy church, that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God's grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?

The pastor addresses the congregation:
Do you, as Christ's body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?
With God's help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ.
We will surround this child with a community of love and forgiveness, that she may grow in her service to others. We will pray for her that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.

After Nola was baptized, our friend Sheila Sharpless, carried her down the center aisle as a representative of the church body to introduce her to the congregation. It was a blessed way to spend our Sunday morning!

Just in case you're wondering...What does The United Methodist Church believe about baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament. In a sacrament, God uses common elements — in this case, water — as means or vehicles of divine grace. Baptism is administered by the church as the Body of Christ. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

You can find out more about baptism in the Methodist church here.

After church, Mom took us to lunch to celebrate Caleb's birthday and Nola's baptism. Caleb got to choose our restaurant and he picked "Crabs" (AKA: Red Lobster). We came home and spent the afternoon like any other Sunday. Then we went to dinner at Monte Ne Inn. We came home stuffed and ready to start another week. It was a perfect ending to a perfect weekend.