Pastor’s Corner – September 12, 2024

Dear Beloved,

How do you feel when you see or hear about something blue?  Are there certain blue tones that connect you to stories or songs, memories or smells, traditions or holidays….? 

The first story that comes to my mind when I imagine blue is the story of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan.  I have no idea what shades of blue, green, brown, or clear the waters of the Jordan might have been that day, but perhaps pictures from children’s Bibles paint them blue for me.  The story of baptism and the sight, sounds, and textures of water often cause me to pause - pause in humility for the ways God covers us with grace, for the ways God connects us to each other, for the ways God creates, restores, renews, enlivens, protects, inspires, and provides.  In my experience of the baptismal story, I also hear a blue sky, but perhaps it was cloudy - however the sky appeared the gospel writers say that the heavens were torn apart or opened - God’s Spirit descended like a dove and a voice proclaimed, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 

Friends, whether you’ve been baptized or not, whether you were baptized with a little water or lots, whether you were young or old or in between, whether your baptism was a few days ago or many years ago, you are loved.  You are covered by God’s grace.  God knows you by name.  You are precious.  May God’s gifts of blue and God’s gifts of water offer you encouragement this week, and if you would like to talk about baptism or the spiritual practice of praying through/meditating about God’s colorful world, please feel free to be in touch.  I appreciate you and enjoy connecting with you!

With blue hope and joy,

   Sarah 

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”  Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”   Matthew 3:13-17