Ascension : St. Mary’s Church
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Editors) 12.01.2012 (Article Archived on 26.01.2012)

At last Sunday’s service, Sue MacFall gave the address and led the congregation in their worship.

St. Mary’s Church

 Ascension Island (Diocese of St. Helena)

From: FATHER CHRISTOPHER BROWN

 At last Sunday’s service, Sue MacFall  gave the address and led the congregation in their worship.

At the close of the service, Sue, and her husband Neil , were presented with a large Ascension Island Card , and gifts by the Churchwarden Mervyn Isaac. Father Chris made the point that over a long association with Ascension Island, there were many who have cause to be deeply grateful to Sue and Neil who have given so generously of their time and talents to many island organizations.

Sue’s address focused on the baptism of Jesus and emphasized the fact that the New Testament speaks of two baptisms: baptism with water ; and baptism with the Spirit. Many people experience the baptism with water but never come to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit. Christ taught that both are needed. (John’s Gospel ch.3 : 5)

Baptism with water is available to all and can be administered at any time in a person’s life though it often takes place in infancy. Any one on the island who is older and wants to be baptized should  contact Fr. Chris.  For those wanting to deepen their knowledge of the Christian Faith and find out more about the Christian life, please join the ALPHA COURSE which will be starting shortly. This is the new Alpha Course with bang up-to-date videos and the opportunity to ask questions and join in discussions, and find out about Baptism in the Spirit. 

For those wondering why it was that Jesus chose to submit to the baptism of John the Baptist the Following are important to think about:

 By submitting to John’s baptism, Jesus was publicly affirming the ministry of his divinely appointed fore-runner; Jesus was placing his seal of approval on John’s baptism.

Jesus was providing us, his followers, with the pattern for discipleship; Jesus shows us that baptism in token of repentance is the first step we must take on our journey to the Kingdom.

 The baptism of Jesus marks the moment when Jesus publicly declares Himself as God’s Son; it is also the time when Jesus is provided with the spiritual equipment  needed for His ministry.

 At His baptism, Jesus ,the Lamb of God, is identifying Himself with our fallen nature ; he is beginning that , healing , atoning action for sin which reaches it’s completion at the cross.  Even now , Jesus is identifying with sinful humanity and taking us to Himself to deal with the problem of human sins.  

Next Sunday: Eucharist at 10-30a.m.. All welcome ! Sunday school re-starts on Sun.22nd.Jan