O Lord, baptize our hearts
Into a sense of the conditions
And needs of all men.
- George Fox -

Plunge in!

Last Sunday, one of the youth in the Confirmation class told of a retreat she had just returned from at the beach – and how she and her friends had plunged in to the freezing water of the Atlantic.

The Rev. Mary Davisson from the Seafarer’s Center talked to us Sunday about baptism – plunging into the unknown.

To plunge into anything requires courage. To do so into something unknown requires even more. Yet that is what we are asked to do in this seemingly-so-tame sacrament of Baptism. We are being plunged into the waters of new life. We may not expect it to make much of a difference. But as we awaken more fully to God’s presence in our lives, we discover that the plunge into the unknown awaits us around every corner. If we truly desire to follow Christ, we will encounter those moments when we are asked to enter by faith into a new realm of relationship with Him. This may be through prayer or study, through relationships, attendance at worship, or in change of lifestyle. Faith comes in when we are asked to take the plunge to bolster up our otherwise security-conscious selves. For we are being asked to do something new, different, other. We are being asked to take a step toward God and away from that which holds us back.

What holds you back from taking that next step toward God? If you’re not sure what that step is, ask. God will answer. For God’s desire for you is greater than you imagine.

God, you are my God.
I search for you.
I thirst for you like someone
In a dry, empty land
Where there is no water.
I have seen you in the Temple
And have seen your strength and glory.
Because your love is better than life,
I will praise you.
I will praise you as long as I live.
I will lift up my hands in prayer to your name.
I will be content as if I had eaten the best foods.
My lips will sing
And my mouth will praise you.
I remember you
While I’m lying in bed;
I think about you through the night.
You are my help.
Because of your protection, I sing.
I stay close to you;
You support me with your right hand.
- psalm 63:1-8

Daily Morning Prayer:
http://www.episcopalchurchingarrettcounty.org/churchonthewebpage.htm

This Week at St. James:

Saturday: 10:00 Daughters of the King; 4-8 pm Blender Bowling
Sunday: 11:45 Inquirer’s Class; 11:45 Women’s Football Seminar Monday: MLK Holiday: Church office and Academy closed
Tuesday: 11:30 Flower Ministry luncheon, Parish library; 7:30 SJA Board of Trustees
Wednesday: 8:30 Healing Eucharist; 9:30 Bible Study

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:
Mike P.; Lori S.; Rebecca; Owen
Gracia; Jennifer D.; Rob C.; Nancy K.
Ed S.; Betsy, Jim and Family; Michelle K.
Krista B.; Dolores; Kirby; Rebecca; Mary S.

Oh Almighty God,
The father of all humanity,
Turn, we pray, the hearts of all
Peoples and their rulers,
That by the power of your Holy Spirit
Peace may be established among the nations
On the foundation of justice, righteousness and truth;
Through him who was lifted up on the cross
To draw all people to himself,
Your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
---William Temple---
Former Archbishop of Canterbury

God the Father bless you,
Christ guard you,
The Holy Spirit enlighten you,
All the days of your life.
The Lord be your defender
And guardian of your soul and body,
Now and ever, world without end,
AMEN

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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