Emma was baptized on Sunday September 18th during the 8:45am Contact service at Trinity. So many of our closest friends and family were a part of this holy & special event in her life in person or from a distance, and we wouldn’t have had it another other way. We wanted to have her baptized in our home church and by our pastor in the service we always attend, as Wesley Hall is such a special place for us and we truly consider it to me home. It’s our church’s contemporary service, and the music and speaking both are wonderful.
Emma was baptized in the gown that her great-great grandmother (on Glenn’s side) made over 60 years ago when Pops (& Uncle George) were baptized (she made 2 gowns). It (or one of the two) has been worn by all the Elliott family members since (Mark – then Laura & Glenn – and now Emma!, George – his daughter Grace, Bill, and Susie – her 3 boys Paul, Ben & Thomas. It’s pretty incredible! When Grandmother first took it out, it was a little more ivory looking, so I had planned on her wearing this adorable lace boy she already had that was somewhat cream/ivory. But then when Grandmother had is all washed and pressed and ready to go it was all sparkly white again! So the day before, we did a little crafting a created her a new lace bow using crisp white lace and some elastic we snagged and I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out!
After the service, we had lunch at Pops & Gran’s house for family & close friends to celebrate our little nugget! It was a mix of my family, Glenn’s family, and our friends and we were so glad to have everyone present to celebrate Emma in one space. The table was decorated so sweetly with frames of Emma and beautiful roses. There was even a banner and little gold letters to spell out her name. Precious. And the letters will fit perfectly in her room too! We did a little wardrobe change and kept with the all white ensemble with a light pink bow to match her tiny shoes great grandmother got her for the big day. She was gifted so many sweet items as well as those little shoes, and I can’t say enough how blessed we are by our friends and family!
We ask that you join with us in prayer for Emma as she continues to grow that she may come to know the love of Christ, and one day choose to follow in His ways. That you would pray for us as we continually learn this new role of parenthood, that we would emulate His perfect love and teach her of grace, compassion, and service.
I love that we can remember these promises, that we made and our church family made, to love and encourage Emma as she grows to know His love and presence in her life. The pictures and words from the service:
Pastor:
Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.
RENUNCIATION OF SIN AND PROFESSION OF FAITH
To parents: Will you nurture your child in Christ’s holy Church, that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life? We will.
THE WATER
Pastor (as he pours the water): Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and those who receive it, to wash away their sin and clothe them in righteousness throughout their lives, that, dying and being raised with Christ, they may share in his final victory.
BAPTISM WITH LAYING ON OF HANDS
Emma Katherine, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit work within you, that being born through water and the Spirit you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
RECEPTION INTO THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
(For those who can answer for themselves) As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness? I will.
COMMENDATION AND WELCOME
(The congregation will stand.) Members of the household of faith, I commend to your love and care this child, whom we this day recognize as a member of the family of God. Will you endeavor so to live that he/she may grow in the knowledge and love of God the Father, through our Savior Jesus Christ? Then the people shall say, With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.
