Faith of Our Fathers,
ELW 812 and 813
1 Faith of our fathers, living still
in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy
whene'er we hear that glorious word.
Refrain
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
we will be true to thee till death.
2 The martyrs, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children's fate
If they, like them, should die for thee.
Refrain
3 Faith of our fathers! We will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
Proclaim thee, too, as love knows how,
By saving Word and faithful life.
Refrain
Devotion
Today my wife (Rev. Kendra Mohn) and I bring our daughter Annika Christine Marie to be baptized. Today we, her godparents, and the gathered assembly make promises to tell her what God has done, about the gift she is being given, and what her inheritance of faith means.
For centuries, Christians have brought children, spouses, and neighbors to receive God’s grace through water and the Word. In so doing, they have passed along a gift of life as well as a call to discipleship.
Baptism gives us a new identity and community. As God’s children, united to Christ, we are all sent to proclaim good news, work for justice, and carry on this living faith. We pray that Annika will always know whose she is and the faith she is called to live. Who in your life reminds you of who and whose you are? Who should you remind?
Prayer
Baptized into Christ Jesus, we become your children, God, and inherit faith. Help us to remember who and whose we are, to remind those in our lives we have been entrusted to care for, to work for those whom society has forgotten, so all may live in your amazing grace. Amen.