Valentine's Day 2011

The youth did a fabulous job again with their annual Valentine's Banquet. (video below)  The banquet is a fundraiser where the youth serve as waitstaff and treat us to an elegant, delicious dinner. 

For the traditional Newlywed Game, we convinced our new pastor and his wife to play along.  It was a great opportunity to get to know them better.  Way better.  As in T.M.I. better.

A big thanks goes out to all the youth and the adults who worked so hard to make this a success.  Especially (not pictured) the lady who made the Red Velvet Cake.

Brielle and Erika did a great job hosting the Newlywed Game and pulling quiet, reserved people out of their shell.  

Enjoy the following video from the Newlywed Game.

Click here to see last year's video.

Baptisms at FBC - Wagener

Two ladies from our youth group were baptized Sunday, Lynsey and Katlyn Day.  One of our former youths, Erika Williams was instrumental in leading these ladies to the Lord and in discipling them, investing her life in them.  It is amazing to see our youth learn, grow and give, which is another reason I like having the Former Youth Spotlights featured on this blog. 

The baptism.  Baptism is one of those rare moments, like communion, that always takes my breath away.  I pause and think of all the years, all the people before us that partook in this same event, creating a sense of brotherhood, solidarity.  Reminding us to be faithful, to endure, to celebrate, hope & remember.  In the Old Testament, remembrance was significant.  Stories were imparted to generations, feasts and pilgrimages were created for reflection and remembrance.  I miss that.  I wish we had more of that.

I get a sense of that at times of baptism and communion and, maybe, this Easter with our Maundy service.  I think back to when our little rural church had baptisms out in Edisto Lake and another time when we had a few baptisms in my back yard swimming pool.  Times of coziness and fellowship, friendship, support.   And mostly I think back to the first baptisms.  When John started baptising people, they were all confused:

"The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.  John answered them all, 'I baptize you with water.  But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.'" - Luke 3:15&16

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v 21 & 22   "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized, too.  And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.'"

Can you imagine!?

We have the privilege of hindsight, but can you imagine being there back then?  Trying to figure it all out?

Makes me want to go visit the Jordan River!

...and I want to take the Day sisters with me.