We started a new tradition today. Every time there is a fifth Sunday we are going to set aside our normal classes and sermon series in order to focus on baptisms, the Lord’s Supper and worshiping God. It truly was a fabulous time! Even on a cold, snowy holiday weekend, both services were full and full of excitement about all that God is doing among us.

Approximately 40 people followed Christ in baptism this morning. After each service there was a reception meal for those baptized and their families. I couldn’t get to the first reception because it was during the second service, but when I stuck my head into second reception there were well over 100 people there!

Thanks to those of you who provided positive feedback. We weren’t really sure what to expect, only that this seemed the right thing to do. A lot of people worked hard to make this happen – parking lot, hospitality team, workers in the baptistery, those who served the meal and so many, many more. Thanks to all of you!

We might decide in a year or two that we need to do something different, but for the moment I am very encouraged about doing this every time there is a fifth Sunday. I thought it was very neat to have baptisms in English, Spanish and Chinese, and that we sang in both English and Spanish. This is the whole point of the body of Christ coming together.

Several times in the past few months I have been impressed by the constant emphasis in the Bible on the importance of remembering. I mentioned this a bit this morning. In the Old Testament God first established the tent in the desert, then the temple in Jerusalem. Every aspect of both of them points to who God is and how he relates to us. The scriptures, the psalms and the songs – all serve as reminders. The entire chapter of Leviticus 23 lays out the series of seven Jewish holidays each year, each a teaching opportunity to remind God’s people of who God is and how he relates to us. These are just a few examples.

In the New Testament we also have the scriptures, the hymns, songs and psalms to remind us of God’s truth. We also have baptism and the Lord’s Supper to commemorate and remind us of what God has done for us. The theme of remembering is powerfully consistent throughout the Bible.

We were never meant to remain the same. In the Old Testament, we see the transition from the tent in the desert to the Temple. Though the essence of who God is never changes, the Temple worship was very different from the Tabernacle worship – all by God’s design. Today, the church must never remain stagnant but be constantly changing and adapting to the culture and circumstances around us. What must never change is our commitment to God’s absolute truth and the unchanging esence of who he is. These intentional moments of remembering are what enable us to maintain our balance.