Renewed by water and the spirit. Text: Mark 1:4-11
Preached by Rev. James Murray at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, Jan 11 2009

The pastor stood at the baptismal font, holding a beautiful baby girl. After he sprinkled
the water on her, the pastor spoke in a loud voice for all to hear. ?Little sister in
Christ, by this act of baptism we welcome you to a journey which will take your whole
life to complete. This isn?t the end of the journey. It?s the beginning of God?s great

In our baptism ritual with babies and kids, the parents are asked the following five questions:

1) Do you believe in God: Creator, Christ and Spirit?

I do, by the grace of God.

2) Trusting in God, will you turn away from things that harm, and turn toward those that heal: seeking justice and resisting evil?