and Dedications

First United of Christ 300 Union Street, Northfield, MN 55057 507/645-7532 www.firstucc.org Rev. Todd Smith Lippert, Senior Minister Rev. Abigail Henderson, Associate Minister

Welcome What Does Mean?

We are delighted that you are seeking In the United Church of Christ, baptism baptism for your child. We would like with water and the Holy Spirit is the to share with you our understanding of mark of acceptance into the care of this sacrament, and its place in the life of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of our congregation. participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of new growth into full After you have read this booklet, Christian faith and life. please call the church to make an appointment with the Minister to The scriptural basis of baptism comes discuss your wish for baptism. At that from the story of Jesus’ own baptism by meeting you will have a chance to ask John in the River Jordan [Matthew 3:13- any questions you may have. 17], and from his instructions to his disciples to “….make disciples of all About First United Church of Christ nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the First UCC is a spirited and diverse Holy Spirit.”[Matthew 28:19] community where we worship God, pass along the faith, care for each other Baptism is not a magical act: it does not and work at changing the world. Our protect a person from life’s challenges or 440 members come from a variety of make someone immune to temptation religious back-grounds, and some have or sin. Moreover, God’s love and care had no previous church experience at does not depend upon the act of all. We are part of the United Church of baptism; God already pours out that Christ, a liberal love and care to all humanity. Baptism, denomination. then is both God’s gift and our human response to that gift.

We do not require that you be a member Children: Children who were not of the church to receive baptism for baptized as infants sometimes express a yourself or your child. However, we do wish for baptism. With the parents’ expect that you will take seriously the support, such children are invited to promises you make “to grow in the make their own profession of faith. Christian faith and to be a faithful member of the church of Jesus Christ,” Youth: Young people who were not however you may choose to do that. previously baptized may receive the sacrament during the Confirmation Who Can Be Baptized? Program or at another time of their choosing. In our tradition, persons of all ages may be baptized. Baptism should occur only Adults: Adults who were not once in a person’s life, so if you have previously baptized are invited to been baptized in the past (in any receive baptism as part of their faith Christian church), you need not be journeys. For many people, the occasion baptized again. for baptism is becoming a member of the congregation, but membership is not Because many persons were baptized required for baptism. when they were infants, we re-affirm our baptismal vows from time to time What Is an Infant Dedication? during our regular worship services (for example, at confirmation and when Most families in our congregation welcoming new members to our choose to have their children baptized congregation.) as infants, but some families reserve the choice of baptism for the children to Infants: When an infant or young child make themselves when they are old is baptized, one or both parents promise enough. to assume certain responsibilities for the Christian nurture of the baptized child. For those families, the congregation The parents may also invite sponsors offers a service of Infant Dedication to (sometimes know as Godparents) to celebrate the presence of the child in the participate in the baptismal service and family and to welcome him/her to the to share these responsibilities for the life of the congregation. As part of our child’s growing faith. Sunday worship, blessings are asked for the child and family, and the congregation pledges their support in the rearing and nurture of the child.

When Do Baptisms Happen? Do you promise, by the grace of God, to be Christ’s disciple, to follow in the Baptism is both a personal celebration way of our Savior, to resist oppression and a central event in the life of the and evil, to show love and justice, and church. Therefore, baptisms are part of to witness to the word and work of our Sunday morning worship, for which Jesus Christ as best you are able? the entire community is gathered. Do you promise, according to the Occasionally family circumstances or grace given you, to grow in the special needs make it appropriate for a Christian faith and to be a faithful baptism to be held apart from Sunday member of the church of Jesus Christ, worship. celebrating Christ’s presence and furthering Christ’s mission in the entire In these cases, a representative of the world? church (often a member of our Board of Deacons) represents the congregation The congregation, in turn, promises to during the baptismal service. love, support, and care for those being baptized, and they speak together an What Happens in the Baptismal Service? affirmation of faith.

After the opening elements of the The Prayer of Baptism recalls the role of Sunday service, the candidates and water in God’s saving activities for all his/her family and sponsors are invited humanity, and asks God’s blessing on to come forward. the water to be used for the sacrament.

Candidates (or their parents) are asked The words of the baptism are the traditional questions of the faith: accompanied by marking the forehead with water three times in the sign of the Do you desire to be baptized into the cross. faith and family of Jesus Christ? The congregation responds by saying, Do you renounce the powers of evil “The Holy Spirit be upon you, [name], and desire the freedom of new life in child of God, disciple of Christ, member Christ? of the Church.

Do you profess Jesus Christ as Lord When an infant is baptized, the minister and Savior? usually walks around the congregation (during a hymn) to introduce the baby to the gathered community. The service concludes with a prayer for the newly baptized person, and the presentation of a certificate and small gifts.

What Happens After Baptism?

Baptism is not an end in itself, but rather is the entry point to a life of Christian discipleship as part of a church community.

We hope that after your (or your child’s) baptism, your relationship with God will continue to grow. We also hope that you will participate in the life of the congregation—worshiping, learning, caring for others, and serving the wider world.

NOTES

Revised July 2013