Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:10-11

The lakeshore, don’t you love it! I think that it is a special place to see the handiwork of God and to feel close to God. Whether you are walking along its sandy beaches, wading in its cool waters or standing on its shore watching the golden sun set beyond the horizon, everywhere you look you see God at work.

The lakeshore must be special to God also, because it played an important part in Jesus’ ministry. It was there, on the shore of Galilee, that Jesus taught the crowds about His kingdom. It was there that he called three fishermen: Peter, James and John, to come and be His disciples. And it was there on that beach, that God worked in their hearts and they left all to follow Jesus and become fishers of men.

On August 15th at 1:30 PM at Conneaut Township Park, the lakeshore will once again become a place where we will see the hand of God at work. What a joy it will be to watch as believers from both the Edgewood Alliance Church and our church make public their commitment to follow Jesus by going through the waters of baptism.

Why are we doing this baptism and picnic together? It is our desire to celebrate our unity in Christ and to encourage those that are being baptized. Though we may differ with the Alliance churches on some fringe issues of our faith, on the major teachings of Scripture (i.e. the inspiration of Scripture, the trinity, the deity of Christ, salvation and believer’s baptism) we are in total agreement.

Both churches will meet in the lower pavilion at 1:30 PM. Pastor Russell and I will then introduce our candidates for baptism, have a song and a prayer and then as many as can, will walk down the boardwalk to the shore to witness the baptism. How the angels of heaven will rejoice as God’s handiwork is powerfully displayed by those who are baptized and by the unity of those that have joined to witness it! Afterwards we will return to the pavilion to share a meal together and an afternoon under the sun.

Hope to see you there.

Pastor Dave