June 30, 2024, Pentecost 6B, Sacraments 1: "Bathtime!"

The striking thing about baptism is how ordinary it often seems. You have a usual cast of characters: the pastor, a smiling (or screaming) baby, proud parents and sponsors. The pastor splashes a little water on the child, invokes the name of the Triune God, and presents the child to an adoring congregation. However, behind appearances lies the most profound gift and promise of God. What is this gift and promise? How do we know that God will do what God says he will do? Pastor David begins a new sermon series on the Sacraments (plus Confession and Forgiveness), with a sermon titled “Bathtime!” based on Luther’s Small Catechism, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism, sections 1 & 2.