News from Isabel Acheson for issue of March 30, 2023
Somerset Bible Chapel
Sunday morning March 26, after the Sunday School classes, the congregation gathered in the lower hall for the worship service. A celebration of adult believers baptism concluded the worship service.
Jamie Grenier did the announcements. Rejean and Carol Picard were the music team. The statement of Jesus in John 14:6 “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” and prayer, led to the first songs: “He Is Lord”, “Because He Lives”, “My Jesus I Love Thee” and “More Precious Than Silver”.
Byron Timmerman served as usher. Pastor Jeff Peacock led the Prayer Focus. Some of the songs for the day had been requested by the Baptismal Candidates. “Yet Not I, But Through Christ in Me”, “Lord, I Need You”, and “Living Hope” made up the next set.
Pastor Jeff Peacock read Matthew 3:13-17 after his opening remarks and prayer. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist at the beginning of His public ministry. Pastor Jeff also read Acts 2:36-41, the account of how, when the Christian church began, baptism followed faith (belief) and repentance of one’s sins, as a sign of the inward change. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 instructs Jesus followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded.
The usual practice is Baptism by immersion which is the best picture of death and resurrection to make the public witness of the life that is changed by the power of God.
Four candidates in turn were introduced by an “encourager”, spoke of their own faith journeys to the point of asking for baptism, stepped into a water filled tub and were immersed momentarily following their confession of faith. The congregation applauded each as they stood up. Pastor Jeff completed the celebration with Prayer.
The closing hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, the benediction, and Grace for the meal to follow, ended the formal service. A number of visitors had joined the congregation to participate in the celebration.