Baptisms

A person is incorporated into the universal church, the body of Christ, through the sacrament of baptism. The water, words, and actions of the sacrament are visible signs that convey the Christian’s burial and resurrection with Jesus Christ.

The invocation of the Holy Spirit upon the water and upon the candidates for baptism is an affirmation that it is God who takes the initiative in the sacrament. Baptism is both God’s gift and our human response to that gift. It is a sign and seal of our common discipleship. Through baptism, Christians are brought into union with Christ, with each other and with the church of every time and place.

In the United Church of Christ, people are baptized either as children or adults. Baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church, the sign and seal of their participation in God’s forgiveness, and the beginning of their new growth into full Christian faith and life.

When an infant or young child is baptized, one or both parents (and one or more sponsors) promise to assume certain responsibilities for the Christian nurture of the baptized child. Although it is not necessary to be a member of First Congregational UCC, one of the parents or sponsors should be a member in good standing of a Christian church. Those who are baptized at an early age are given an opportunity in their youth or adulthood to make a personal profession of faith through confirmation or affirmation of baptism.

Parents, in consultation with the pastor, may choose sponsors for infants and young children who are to be baptized. Other candidates for baptism may also be given this opportunity to have sponsors. At the time of the baptismal service, the sponsors, who accompany new Christians on their journeys of faith, may accompany the candidates and present them for baptism. They make promises identical to the promises of the parents concerning their role.

Baptism is not only a personal celebration in the lives of the individual candidates and their families, but also a central celebration in the life of the local church which embodies the universal church in a particular place. For this reason, baptism should take place in the presence of the community of faith gathered for public worship. In officiating at a service of baptism, the pastor acts as a representative of the church universal. When urgent circumstances make it necessary to undertake baptism apart from the worshiping congregation, leaders of the local church should participate in the ceremony with the pastor.

Baptism should occur only once in a person’s life. The mode of baptism is a matter of choice. The candidates, or their parents and sponsors, in consultation with the pastor, may elect sprinkling, immersion, or pouring.

Contact Pastor Garth for more information.