Image from Lexie Gunderson’s confirmation stole

Matthew 28:16-20

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

A seashell and three drops of water help symbolize our entrance into Christ’s church through our baptism. The seashell is a simple visual that takes our minds to the presence of water. The three drops remind us that we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer (from The Book of Common Worship)

We give You thanks, Eternal God, for You nourish and sustain all living things by the gift of water. In the beginning of time, Your Spirit moved over the watery chaos, calling forth order and life. In the time of Noah, You destroyed evil by the waters of the flood, giving righteousness a new beginning. You led Israel out of slavery, through the waters of the sea, into the freedom of the promised land. In the waters of Jordan Jesus was baptized by John and anointed with Your Spirit. By the baptism of his own death and resurrection, Christ set us free from sin and death, and opened the way to eternal life. We thank You, O God, for the water of baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. From it we are raised to share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.