The Beginning of a Life Lived in the Depths of God S Amazing Grace

will regularly pray for your child, who will B A P T I S M I S … remember your child on their baptismal 6. One of Prince of Peace’s acolytes will …the beginning of a life lived in the depths of anniversary and who will provide a Christian present you with the following items on the God’s amazing grace. witness in the way they live. This usually day of your child’s Baptism: certificates for the means that a sponsor needs to be an active child and for each of the godparents, a …a second birthday as God claims each of us member of a Christian church. baptismal candle and the baptismal towel. as his child and a member of his family. P L A N N I N G A B A P T I S M 7. We do not ask for nor accept payment for …a holy moment when solemn promises are 1. As soon as you know the timeframe for your conducting Baptisms. If you wish to give a made by parents, godparents and the church. child’s Baptism, contact Pastor Rick monetary gift to be used for Prince of Peace’s ([email protected]) to confirm a specific ongoing ministry, please place it in the …a community event to be celebrated during date and service time. offering plate. public worship services. 2. Schedule a meeting with Pastor Rick to …best celebrated at the church where the discuss the baptism and fine-tune the event. parents are actively involved and where the This meeting usually takes place one week child will be raised. before your baptism date.

B A P T I S M I S N O T … 3. Once your date has been confirmed, please send the following information to our office …an invitation-only event to be celebrated in manager ([email protected]): private settings.  Child’s name and date of birth …an opportunity to impress parents and  Parents’ names grandparents with “religiosity.”  Address and phone number HOLY BAPTISM  Names of sponsors (godparents) (INFANTS AND CHILDREN) …a ceremony that celebrates the child more than the promise of God’s love. In addition, if you wish to display your child’s photos on our video screen, we will need jpeg …a one-and-done event that guarantees a child images at least three days in advance. entry into heaven. “Child of God, 4. On the day of the Baptism, please arrive 15 you have been sealed minutes before the service to secure seats in by the Holy Spirit and C H O O S I N G S P O N S O R S the front of the church. The pastor will go marked with the over final details with you at this time. We strongly encourage you to choose sponsors, Cross of Christ forever.” sometimes called “godparents,” for your child. 5. Because Baptism is part of a worship The role of a sponsor is to assist you in keeping experience, please refrain from obtrusive the promises you will make before God on photography and videotaping. The pastor will behalf of your child. Sponsors, therefore, need be available after the service for formal and to be people who have an active faith life, who reenactment photos. Christ, the Church. Y O U R P R O M I S E S (I Corinthians 12:12) 5. Grant your child eternal life. When you present your child for Baptism, you (Romans 6:5) promise to:

As the pastor pours water on your child and 1. Model for your child both the challenges speaks the Word of God, it is God who and joys of living as a Christian in this world. addresses your child with these promises and who will faithfully accomplish them in your 2. Help your child grow in faith within the child. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church community of faith, the Church. th 3641 N. 56 Street Baptism represents two important aspects of Phoenix, AZ 85018 In short, when you present your child to be our relationship to God: First, God’s free gift 480.945.9537 baptized, you take upon yourself the of love and forgiveness; and secondly, our www.popphoenix.org responsibility to guide the spiritual response to God’s gift. Christian traditions that development of your child. Please consider the practice infant Baptism emphasize God’s free “In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly magnitude of these promises before gift of love. Traditions that practice believer Father liberates us from sin and death by scheduling a Baptism. Baptism emphasize the response. (Please note: joining us to the death and resurrection of our for those who practice infant Baptism the Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a Here are some ways to honor your promises: promises made by the parents are reaffirmed fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we by the child at Confirmation. In traditions that are reborn children of God and inheritors of 1. Prayer - Pray with your child regularly practice believer Baptism, the parents make eternal life. By water and the Holy Spirit we essentially the same promises of dedication 2. Worship – Attend worship as a family on a are made members of the Church which is the when the child is yet an infant.) regular basis (not just Christmas and Easter) body of Christ. As we live with him and with “As you bring your children to receive the gift his people, we grow in faith, love, and of baptism, you are entrusted with 3. Christian Education - Bring your child to obedience to the will of God.” responsibilities: to live with them among God’s Children’s Ministry (Sunday School). Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Page 227 faithful people, bring them to worship and 4. Service – Seek out child-friendly ways to Holy Communion, teach them the Lord’s serve your community G O D ’ S P R O M I S E S Prayer, the Creed and the Ten Commandments, place in their hands the holy 5. Celebrate Baptismal Anniversaries – Light In Baptism, God promises to: scriptures, and nurture them in faith and the baptismal candle, watch the video of the prayer, so that your children may learn to trust 1. Make your child a child of God. baptism, look at photos – anything to create an God, proclaim Christ in word and deed, care (Matthew 28:19) opportunity to talk about God’s love with your for others and the world God made, and work 2. Wash your child clean of sin. child. for justice and peace.” (Acts 22:16) “Through Baptism God has made this child a Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Page 227 3. Give your child the Holy Spirit, which will member of the priesthood we all share in enable your child to call upon Jesus as Lord. Christ Jesus, that we may proclaim the praise (Titus 3:5) of God and bear his creative and redeeming 4. Make your child a member of the body of word to all the world.” “We welcome you into the Lord's family. We receive you as a fellow member of the Body of Christ, child of the same heavenly Father, and worker with us in the Kingdom of God.” Lutheran Book of Worship, p. 125

T H E C H U R C H ’ S P R O M I S E S

When your child is baptized, we, your Christian sisters and brothers, promise to:

1. Look upon your child as an important member of our Christian community,

2. Support you in making God's promises known to your child, and

3. Support you in keeping the promises that you make to your child at Baptism.

When your child is baptized here, we, the members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, give you and your child our word that we will stand by you as only a community of faith really can. We do this by offering support in the form of ongoing education (Children’s Ministry, VBS, POP Preschool), milestone celebrations (First Communion, Confirmation) and numerous opportunities to connect with other families who are seeking to raise their children in the Christian faith.