Baptism Sunday
Don’t miss out on a really special Sunday morning on July 19. We will not be at Cedar Heights that day. Instead, we’ll be outside at the Waterfront Park in Port Orchard to worship, hear testimony, and experience one more special practice.
Sunday, July 19, 2026 10am Port Orchard Waterfront Park
BYOC - Bring Your Own Chair
Jesus knew we would need tangible ways to embody the amazing salvation he offers. He gave us two: one we personally participate in once and one we observe often. Do you know what they are? Here’s a hint– they’re similar to things you do every day – bathe and eat.
Yes, baptism and communion!
My favorite pastoral memory to date was our first outdoor baptism in the Sound. The cold water, the sun setting, friends and children of friends and people I was only meeting that night. The cold water. The gathered friends. Speaking God’s story aloud. Gospel choruses sung. These brought what I believe to life in a very tactile way:
I, too, need saving. And I cannot save myself. Jesus has given me a gift I cannot earn. He gives me salvation. Salvation from my own unbreakable habits of sin; salvation from the broken cycles of injustice in the world; the promise of ultimate salvation of the whole earth. I receive it, and I speak it over my children: “You have been buried unto death in Christ and raised to walk a new life in him. I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Buried unto death takes on a new meaning when dunking a friend in the Sound!
This year’s gift is the testimony of three men who have received the gift of God’s salvation and a family who is claiming God’s covenant promises in Christ over their three boys. They’ve prepared for this moment in one of the early ways of the church - by learning to practice the way of Jesus. We get to celebrate the culmination of that gift on Sunday.
We are all invited to experience this gift! One of the things I was taught to say over the gathered congregation is: Remember your baptism, and be thankful. We only need one baptism. One moment to be sealed with the name of God and the presence of the Spirit. But how about the practice of remembering? That’s something I need to do everyday. So I hope you’ll come and celebrate with those being baptized and remember the gift of salvation you have already received.
If you are currently curious about Jesus, I hope you’ll join us, too. I hope you’ll come with a curiosity –
What does it say about this God that he would call for something like baptism?
What would it look like to live with a promise of a new life?
I’m looking forward to worshiping and remembering my baptism with you!
Pastor Megan
1. For more on why Kitsap House baptizes both adults, children and infants, see this booklet.
2. Romans 6:43. Matthew 28:19