October is here! This year has gone so fast and I can hardly believe that it’s nearly 2023! You didn’t ask for a New Years message though, so I’ll hold off for a few more months.
October for me is a month of remembering my baptism. On October 17, 1999, I was baptized at my home church, Zion Lutheran Jubilee. And I think back to that day often. As someone who was adopted, I tend to equate baptism with adoption. And while it’s a bit different from the practical aspects of adoption, I think it changes how we think about baptism if we consider what it truly means.
In baptism, God claims us as daughters and sons, giving us a new identity. In a way, we are given a new name: child of God. Maybe you’ve wondered why I say “child of God, this is the body of Christ” to each of you during communion. I got into this habit on internship because I think we need to be reminded of our identity, of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Remember who you are, beloveds. God has named you and claimed you through baptism, offering you a new life in Christ. In Christ, all have been made new. And God’s love for you is not dependent upon your faithfulness in claiming your identity or how perfectly you can live that identity out. God’s love for you is not dependent upon anything other than God’s desire to love you. And God’s love is infinitely, always, overwhelmingly FOR YOU.
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Pastor Katie Rodriguez
(319)269-2030
Pastor Katie’s Office Hours: (Also available by appointment)
Monday – 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Afternoon off
Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 5::00 p.m.
Friday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Afternoon off
October for me is a month of remembering my baptism. On October 17, 1999, I was baptized at my home church, Zion Lutheran Jubilee. And I think back to that day often. As someone who was adopted, I tend to equate baptism with adoption. And while it’s a bit different from the practical aspects of adoption, I think it changes how we think about baptism if we consider what it truly means.
In baptism, God claims us as daughters and sons, giving us a new identity. In a way, we are given a new name: child of God. Maybe you’ve wondered why I say “child of God, this is the body of Christ” to each of you during communion. I got into this habit on internship because I think we need to be reminded of our identity, of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Remember who you are, beloveds. God has named you and claimed you through baptism, offering you a new life in Christ. In Christ, all have been made new. And God’s love for you is not dependent upon your faithfulness in claiming your identity or how perfectly you can live that identity out. God’s love for you is not dependent upon anything other than God’s desire to love you. And God’s love is infinitely, always, overwhelmingly FOR YOU.
--
Pastor Katie Rodriguez
(319)269-2030
Pastor Katie’s Office Hours: (Also available by appointment)
Monday – 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Afternoon off
Tuesday – 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday – 2:00 p.m. – 5::00 p.m.
Friday – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Afternoon off