By the grace of the Lord, the Puslinch Church in Ontario, Canada was blessed with another special weekend culminating with a service of baptism.
September 17, 2016 was a special Sabbath for Puslinch church with many visitors, not only from Canada but also from the United States. The Sabbath was a blessing for all who attended the meetings, starting with the Sabbath School, followed by the Divine Service and ending with the Profession of Faith and Young People’s Meeting in the afternoon. Brother Joey Zic opened the special Young People’s Meeting and Profession of Faith service. The children presented a few items for the glory of God, and Brother George Schiopu gave a lecture entitled: “Why Do We Need Principles.” In continuation, Brother David Zic led the profession of faith service of the four candidates for baptism.
On Sunday, September 18, 2016, four souls, Lidia Martinkovic, Nicole, Jonathan, and Heidi Lasica, were ready to make a covenant with the Lord through baptism. Nicole, Jonathan, and Heidi are not only brother and sisters in Christ, but they are siblings as well. It was an amazing experience to see the joy of their parents, Brother Milan and Sister Lillian Lasica, as their three children stepped into the water of baptism, along with the joy of the parents of Sister Lidia Martinkovic.
Early Sunday morning people started to arrive at Emerald Lake, Puslinch. There were many who came from far and near to share the joy and witness the baptismal ceremony. Brother Paul Gavric, opened the Baptismal service, and we all united our voices singing “Shall We Gather at the River?” Before the candidates entered the lake, Brother Ljuban Vukotic highlighted the importance of their decision to be baptized according to the Biblical baptism by immersion in the water. He also reminded everyone of the sacredness of the occasion by mentioning that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are present at every baptism to receive the candidates who have renounced the world and who have received Christ into the soul temple.
As a small orchestra played “I Will Follow Thee My Saviour”, Brother David Zic prepared to officiate the baptism. One by one the candidates stepped into the water and were immersed into the watery grave in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost and were raised anew in the Lord.
The baptismal ceremony was followed by a fellowshipment service at the local church. The church was filled with brothers and sisters and many visitors, with over 150 in attendance for the service. Brother David Zic shared a few words of welcome for the newly baptized and presented each of them with a Certificate of Baptism. The right hand of church fellowshipment was extended to the new members by the Puslinch Church Elders, Brother Paul Gavric and Brother Dorin Burca. The service concluded with a special prayer by Brother David Zic for the newly baptized members as well as for all considering baptism in the future. To close the service all united their voices in singing “All to Jesus I Surrender” and Brother Lujban Vukotic offered the benediction.
After such a joy for the families, friends, and all attending, a delicious lunch was served by our sisters. Everyone had the opportunity to get some physical food, after being fed and inspired by the spiritual food!
We praise God and thank Him for making this special joyful occasion possible. May we all continue to daily grow in Christ and always remember the promise written in Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”.
