On April 25, 2010 at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Jake was baptized and united to Christ. We thank God for his rich blessings and mercy as it was a beautiful day. Grace is always a gift and something we humans don’t deserve or merit, and we realize that just as God comes to us in His preached word and plants faith in our hearts, so too does He come to us in Holy Baptism and unites that which is unworthy to Himself. Glory to God for all things.
“Blessed are You, Lord God Almighty, Fountain of Blessings, Sun of Righteousness, Who made to shine forth for those in darkness a light of salvation through the manifestation of Your Only-Begotten Son and our God, granting unto us, though we are unworthy, blessed cleansing in Holy Water, and divine sanctification in the Life; effecting Anointing; Who now also has been well-pleased to regenerate this Your servant newly illuminated through Water and Spirit, giving him forgiveness of his voluntary and involuntary sins: do You Yourself, Sovereign Master, Compassionate King of All, bestow upon him also the Seal of Your omnipotent and adorable Holy Spirit, and the Communion of the Holy Body and Most Precious Blood of Your Christ; keep him in Your sanctification; confirm him in the Orthodox Faith; deliver him from the Evil One and all his devices; preserve his soul, through Your saving fear, in purity and righteousness, that in every work and word, being acceptable before You, he may become a child and heir of Your heavenly Kingdom.
For You are our God, the God of Mercy and Salvation, and to You do we send up Glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and to the ages of ages” (Baptismal Prayer of Confirmation, from the Service of Holy Baptism).
