Baptismal Service

So it is now about 1 hour past Easter. If I were home a bit earlier and not having to do so much networking online, I might be able to write this up before midnight.

Anyhow, a few hours ago was my church's baptismal service. It was also a secret celebration of my 11th baptism anniversary. Yes, I got baptized yesterday 11 years ago. Time flies, eh?

Shortly I got baptized at WCCAC (my home church), I gained myraid opportunities to serve, such as playing the piano in Sunday services. As the church truly appreciated my musical skills (thanks for the commend and thank God for the gifts), I was often asked to play in important events such as Christmas service, Easter service or baptismal service. Same thing repeated year after year, and gradually I started to wonder whether they had asked me to play because they really appreciated me, or because it had become a habit. Seriously, whenever they needed someone on piano, they would always ask me first. Usually I would be happy to help, but eventually I got quite tired of it. I was especially tired with playing in the baptismal service, as it had stayed in the same format for the longest time. Not only that, the church did not even bother to change the hymns they sing in the service. It was always either "Amazing Grace" or "I Have Decided". And then we always had to sing "O! Happy Day!" I remember playing "O! Happy Day!" 28 times in a row in one of the services. I couldn't possibly find another way to play it!

It was only after I moved to VCAC (my current church) that I started to pick up the joy in serving in baptismal service again. I didn't say "playing" but "serving" instead because I've played different roles such as worship leader, pianist, and drummer. I know my roles are restricted to the music area, but at least it doesn't always stay the same. As the variety of roles revive my interest, I slowly realize the underlying meaning of serving in this type of service. Of course, we serve as a response to the love of God. But for serving in the baptismal service especially, I find it is a way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the public proclamation of brothers' and sisters' faith in Christ. Following Christ is the greatest thing to do in life, shouldn't we be happy for those who choose to go this way?

Congratulations to those who got baptized last night! :-D

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

耶穌奇妙的救恩 (生命聖詩 174首)

1. 耶穌奇妙的救恩，超過我眾過犯；
我口舌怎能述說，更將從何頌讚？
祂除我罪擔憂愁，使我得著自由；
耶穌奇妙的救恩使我得拯救。

2. 耶穌奇妙的救恩，臨到失喪之人，
藉救恩我罪得赦，並拯救我靈魂，
主為我解脫捆綁，使我得著釋放；
耶穌奇妙的救恩使我得拯救。

3. 耶穌奇妙的救恩，施與罪惡之人，
靠主的大能救助，使我順服歸神；
蒙主賜平安滿足，得享天堂永福，
耶穌奇妙的救恩，使我得拯救。

副歌：主耶穌奇妙無比的救恩，深過波濤滾滾大海洋；　　　
高過最高山嶺，美過最美泉源，奇妙救恩足夠我需用，　　　
闊過我一生所行的過犯，大過我一切罪污邪情，　　　
我要稱揚主聖名，我要讚美主聖名！