It was a day of red and a red letter day as All Saints', Mission celebrated Pentecost Sunday with a special worship service and party honouring the recently baptized. The red frontals were complemented by red, yellow and orange altar flowers, clergy, choir and parishioners dressed in red, and flame-coloured streamers hung from the rafters. But the centre of attention was the group of recently baptized young children.
“At every baptism we promise to do all in our power to support the child or adult being baptized,” said Betty Johns, one of the organizers. “They are called, named, claimed, special, precious and valued and we wanted them, especially the children, to experience that and what better time than the birthday of the church to do it.”
A liturgy using elements from the Evangelical Lutheran baptism service and the New Zealand Prayer Book also included a procession of the baptized, a scripture reading in Malaysian, the renewal of the baptismal covenant by the congregation and asperges, the sprinkling of the congregation by priest The Reverend Paul Bowie. The children were honoured with the presentation of a candle, red sash and commemorative booklet. They were fully involved in the service as crucifer and greeter and in the offertory and prayers of the people. At the end of worship, the congregation recessed to the church hall singing She Comes Sailing on the Wind and continued the celebration with snacks and mini carrot cupcakes.
“We invited people who were baptized at All Saints back to 2000. Most couldn’t come, but we think the invitation was important. And we’re very happy with the day,” said Betty. “The children loved it.”
Written and Submitted by Susan Truman
PHOTOS:
- David and Abigail watch as Sophia waits for her blanner with the Reverend Paul Bowie
- Receiving banners
- Receiving sashes
- Proud sash wearers
- Processing out and down the stairs for a party in the hall
Photos by Rick Skerry