The sacrament of
baptism is the sign, symbol and seal of the covenant God has made with
us in Jesus Christ. Our Christian identity begins in baptism. In this
sacrament we are marked forever as Christ’s own, our lives set within
the triune life of God and incorporated into the worship and work of
God’s people. Baptism assures us of our cleansing from sin, of our
participation in Christ’s death and resurrection, and of our welcome
into the household of God.
The Baptism
of Infants and Children
“See what love the father has
given us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are.”
(I John 3:1)
God our Father
who has redeemed us in Jesus Christ is also the God and Father of our
children. They belong with us to the family of God through the covenant
established in Christ and confirmed to us by God in this sacrament. In
presenting a child for baptism, parents affirm their own faith in Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior, acknowledge their child’s need of the
redeeming grace of Christ, and claim God’s covenant promises on their
child’s behalf, promising to teach their child to know, to love, and to
serve the Lord. Joining with the parents, the congregation, as
corporate godparent, promises to teach those who are baptized, to tell
them the good news of the gospel, to help them know of Christ’s love,
his care, his commandments, and by their love and fellowship to
strengthen the child’s ties with the household of God. At the baptism
of a child these words are often spoken:
“Little child, for you Jesus Christ
came into the world. He did battle in the world; he suffered. For you
he went through the agony of Gethsemane and the darkness of Calvary.
For you he cried it is fulfilled; for you he triumphed over death. And
you, little child, do not yet understand anything about this. But thus
is the statement of the apostle confirmed: ‘We love God because God
first loved us.’”
Parents of
children to be baptized are required to attend a baptism counseling
session. At least one parent must be a member of the church. You may
schedule an infant or child’s baptism by calling the church office and
speaking to one of the pastors.
