Dearly baptized into Christ,
As our celebration of Christ’s resurrection continues in this Easter season, so we also magnify the truth from God revealed to us in Romans 6:3-4:
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
The blessing of our Baptism into Christ is very straight-forward here. The blessing of Holy Baptism is that it unites us with Christ’s death and resurrection and delivers to us the blessings accomplished by His payment for our sins and His victory over death in His resurrection. And so, forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given to us in this–His means of His grace.
To remember our Baptism into Christ is not just a Sunday thing; it is a daily thing. As we do so, we daily drown the old evil Adam in us (our sinful flesh with all of its sins) by repentance, and the new creation we are in Christ rises up to live in the strength and power of our Baptism, in other words to live for Christ, to serve and honor Him in our words and deeds.
This is the Christian faith and life! And through the remainder of the Easter season, we will use the Apostles’ Creed in Divine Service as a reminder of our Baptism, but also to keep this Creed before our eyes, in our minds and hearts. This is the Creed (summarizing the faith) into which we have been baptized.
Joyful Easter to you!
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor Kotila
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Jr. Confirmation meets this evening at 6:30PM.
Trustees meet this evening at 7:30PM.
Wednesday AM Bible Study at 10:00AM on PRAYER.
Thursday: Bible Study on PRAYER at 6:15PM.
Choir at 7:00PM
Sunday: 9:00AM Divine Service
10:15AM Altar Guild
10:30AM SS/Youth Bible Study
10:45AM Pastor’s Bible Study on PRAYER
Ladies, sign up for the annual Ladies of Holy Trinity Dinner on Tuesday, May 13th at 6:00PM. This is a great time of food and fellowship and the ladies always have a blast! This year the dinner is at DeCapos in Torrington. The sign-up sheet is on the Ladies of HT bulletin board in the fellowship hall.
This Sunday, May 4th at 4:00PM at Our Savior Lutheran Church in S. Windsor, there will be a District-wide service to honor our church workers and families. During the service, Deaconess Tiffany Manor will be installed as Deaconess of Human Care for the New England District. Please let Pastor know if you would like to go, as he will forward the RSVP for our congregation. Perhaps we could carpool there, leaving the church here at 2:30PM.
Saturday, May 10th is a very special Open House at Pineshore Bible Camp from 12noon til 4:00PM. If you have nothing planned for that day, consider taking a day trip to check out the camp that has impacted thousands of young people over the past six plus decades. This camp is under excellent leadership with a gifted group of volunteer and paid staff serving the Lord each summer. If you would like to ride up with Pastor, let him know. Food will be provided. Check out www.pineshorebiblecamp.org.
Church Council will meet next week — date and time to be announced in the bulletin this Sunday (but tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th at 7:30PM).
Quarterly Congregational Meeting will be held on May 18th at 10:30AM.
Watch for a Vacation Bible School Recruitment Sheet in the bulletin this Sunday.
Baby Bottle Boomerang begins on Mother’s Day (May 11th) and ends on Father’s Day (June 15th). Remember to pick up your baby bottle on May 11th.
SERVING THE LORD THIS WEEK:
Ushers: Bob Breitkreutz
Gene Giblin
Elder: Paul Arbesman
Altar: Leona Damboise
Acolyte: Jordan Klepps
Coffee: S/S Radke
Have a blessed week in the Lord!
Pastor Kotila