Children are a blessing from God, and a sign of God's on-going creation. While every child, baptized or not, is beloved, the baptism of a child is a powerful sign of God's grace.  It is an idelible sign of God's acceptance.  It is also a commitment on the part of the parents of the child to bring the child up in the faith of the Church.  As you prepare for this day of celebration, please consider the following:

• Baptism is not "eternal life insurance."  While it marks our participation in Christ's death & resurrection, it adds nothing to what Jesus has already done for all humanity.  God will not love your child more after Baptism.  Our hope is that Baptism will mark the beginning of your child's love for God.
• Baptism will make your child a member of this congregation.  You must be a baptized member of this congregation before your child is baptized.  If you are not yet baptized, this is an event you can share with your child. Parents welcome their children into the family of faith through baptism and so must belong to the family themselves.
• We should never baptize just to satisfy relatives or friends.  In Baptism we commit ourselves to faith in Christ and life in the Church.
• Baptism is a once-for-all action that has daily expression.  Baptism is lived within and through the body of Christ - the Church.  While it is imperfect in may ways, the Church is where we nurture our faith and grow in discipleship.

• It is necessary to be in contact with Pastor Joy or Pastor Tim at least 2 weeks prior to the baptism date so that adequate preparation and instruction can take place.

• Our congregation designates baptismal celebrations each year.  These dates coincide with Festival days in the church year and Sundays for which the “theme” of the day has Baptism as a focus.  The dates for 2010-2011 are: 

  Time After Pentecost: August 15, 2010, All Saints Sunday:  November 7, 2010, Baptism of Our Lord: January 9, 2011, Transfiguration of our Lord: March 6, 2011, Vigil of Easter: April 23, 2011, Day of Pentecost: June 12, 2011, Time after Pentecost: August 14, 2011, All Saints Sunday: November 6, 2011       

   

  "In Holy Baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We are born children of a fallen humanity; in the waters of Baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life.  By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the Church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God."

   

  Lutheran Book of Worship - Service of Baptism