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Wishes and Blessings to the Baptised and the Confirmed!

We know a God who is powerful, Almighty, the Creator of the world, who called the world into order from chaos (Genesis 1:1–3). This same God created and formed us in God’s own image, a truth emphasized by the repetition of the word created in Genesis 1:27. This reflects God’s deep intimacy with us. Not only did God create us in God’s image, but also shared God’s nature with us by giving us dominion over all other creation. This dominion means protection and providence, the responsibility to uphold justice and equality, and the calling to be a blessing to many. God’s dominion cannot be understood apart from this. The God who created and formed us so carefully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:13–14) also knows us deeply (Jeremiah 1:5).

The God who knows us calls us—for a purpose—and that purpose is to be God’s own. The God who created and formed you declares: “I have called you by name; you are mine.” To all of you who are baptized and confirmed today, be assured of this:
You are called to be God’s own and to be a blessing to many.

Jesus, as Immanuel, God with us, continues this intimate relationship. This truth
is powerfully illustrated in the imagery of the vine and the branches: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5).
The beauty of this promise lies in remaining in the love of Jesus. Jesus invites you to abide in his love and, through that love, to bear much fruit. May your love for Jesus grow more and more as you spend time in prayer, read the Word, connect with the church community, and flourish in faith—bearing
even more fruit.

May you cherish this loving relationship, initiated and sustained by God.Hearty congratulations to all who are baptized and confirmed today!

Rev. Gethzi
Priest, St Luke’s