Grounded in our Baptismal Vows
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This five-week worship series allows congregations to explore our charge to “love boldly” through the lens of our baptismal vows. The series is intended for use at any time after the 2026 annual conferences in the Baltimore-Washington & Peninsula-Delaware Episcopal Area. Because of the number of church traditions for the Sundays in late May and early June, there is flexibility for start dates. It is the design team’s hope that this simplifies summer worship planning for the local church while uniting our Episcopal Area around a theme and common experience of worship. Each week of the series includes: Scripture, brief commentary, hymn and music recommendations, call to worship, opening prayer, prayer of confession, and benediction. (These are available for download below.) Overarching resources will include graphics for slides and a remembrance of baptism. |
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Week 1: Tell the whole truth, part 1
Anchor Scripture: Ephesians 3: 14-21
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of your sin?
Theme:
We are called to repentance as both an individual and as a communal act. In the process, we must acknowledge our brokenness and be willing to be transformed into something new. It is God’s bold love that transforms us and roots us in love so that we can also love boldly.
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of your sin?
Theme:
We are called to repentance as both an individual and as a communal act. In the process, we must acknowledge our brokenness and be willing to be transformed into something new. It is God’s bold love that transforms us and roots us in love so that we can also love boldly.
Week 2: Tell the whole truth, part 2
Anchor Scripture: Ephesians 4: 11-16
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?
Theme:
We are called to accept the free will that we have been given and choose to resist evil, injustice and oppression. This is an inward and an outward journey - and this will lead us beyond the doors of the church. As we are transformed by grace, we are better able to see the places where evil, injustice and oppression operate and we are better able to respond with bold love.
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?
Theme:
We are called to accept the free will that we have been given and choose to resist evil, injustice and oppression. This is an inward and an outward journey - and this will lead us beyond the doors of the church. As we are transformed by grace, we are better able to see the places where evil, injustice and oppression operate and we are better able to respond with bold love.
Week 3: Be accountable to Christ and others in our loving community
Anchor scripture: Ephesians 4: 17-32
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
put your whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as your Lord,
in union with the Church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races?
Theme:
We are called to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ, trusting that the grace given to us really does render us loved and loveable no matter what. Serving Jesus as Lord calls us into bold and loving relationships with ALL of God’s beloved children.
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior,
put your whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as your Lord,
in union with the Church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races?
Theme:
We are called to submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ, trusting that the grace given to us really does render us loved and loveable no matter what. Serving Jesus as Lord calls us into bold and loving relationships with ALL of God’s beloved children.
Week 4: Nurture one another in love
Anchor scripture: Ephesians 5: 6-21
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Will you nurture these children (persons)
in Christ's holy Church,
that by your teaching and example they may be guided
to accept God's grace for themselves,
to profess their faith openly,
and to lead a Christian life?
Theme:
Just as we are accountable to Christ and one another, we are called to nurture others so that they understand these accountable relationships. We belong to one another. Bold love is committed to nurturing that sense of belonging.
Baptismal Vows Focus:
Will you nurture these children (persons)
in Christ's holy Church,
that by your teaching and example they may be guided
to accept God's grace for themselves,
to profess their faith openly,
and to lead a Christian life?
Theme:
Just as we are accountable to Christ and one another, we are called to nurture others so that they understand these accountable relationships. We belong to one another. Bold love is committed to nurturing that sense of belonging.
Week 5: Embody Christ in the world
Anchor scripture: Ephesians 6: 10-20
Baptismal Vows Focus:
According to the grace given to you,
will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church
and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?
Theme:
Loving boldly takes us outside our doors, where we are called and committed to embodying Christ’s love in a world that needs it so.
Baptismal Vows Focus:
According to the grace given to you,
will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church
and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?
Theme:
Loving boldly takes us outside our doors, where we are called and committed to embodying Christ’s love in a world that needs it so.
Acknowledgements:
With gratitude to the entire Episcopal Area Worship Team, this series was developed by:
Rev. DV Yost, Baltimore-Washington
Rev. Chelsea Spyres, Peninsula-Delaware
Rev. Meredith West, Baltimore-Washington
Rev. Laura Norvell, Baltimore-Washington
With gratitude to the entire Episcopal Area Worship Team, this series was developed by:
Rev. DV Yost, Baltimore-Washington
Rev. Chelsea Spyres, Peninsula-Delaware
Rev. Meredith West, Baltimore-Washington
Rev. Laura Norvell, Baltimore-Washington