During the sunshine-filled afternoon of July 29th, 2012, seven teenagers from Tomstown Presbyterian Church (in northern Ontario) were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit at nearby Shepherd Lake.
Each teen, who ranged in age from 13-17, had an adult sponsor from the church for the day.
The teens lined up on the dock and one by one as each name was called, they entered the water and were fully immersed in Shepherd Lake by our regional minister, Rev. Arlene Onuoha and our lay missionary, Stephen Wuerch.
There was excitement in the air the entire day and it was a magnificent celebration with God’s presence evident to all those in attendance including church members, friends and neighbours alike.
Jim and Shirley Raven, members of Tomstown Presbyterian Church shared their lakeside property with us. The baptismal service celebration was up on a hill looking down over the lake and was followed by a potluck picnic.
Today when Sunday schools are in decline and teenagers are not plentiful in church services, we are so proud and supportive of our teenagers. We, Tomstown Presbyterian Church congregation are truly blessed with eight teenagers who attend church faithfully on a regular basis. They lend a hand in so many ways and their spirit energizes the people who attend our church services and functions.
Each baptized teen was presented a certificate of baptism and a book by Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go representing the beginning of a new chapter in their life walking with God.
God Bless you Aaron, William, Matthew, Nathan, Andrew, Jessica and Kaitlin.
