Sacraments

• What is a sacrament?
• Sacraments are outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace.
• Two sacraments in the United Methodist Church - baptism and Holy Communion
  
• Holy Communion
• Bread and cup symbolize the body and blood of Christ and entering into a new covenant.
  

The Meaning of Baptism

• Biblical Roots
• Baptism has roots in the Old Testament as a sign of cleansing and renewal.
• The Jewish people would undergo a ritual cleansing before participating in religious ceremonies.
• Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized
  
• A New Covenant
• Throughout scripture we read stories of God making covenants with people - the people of Israel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses.
• Baptism is a sign of the new covenant in Jesus Christ, mentioned at the last supper.
  
• Baptism as initiation into the body of Chris
• In baptism, you become a part of the universal church across all time and space.
  
• Baptism as forgiveness of sin
• Sin is not just things that we have done wrong, but also a state in which we exist. Baptism signals that God's forgiveness is always and repeatedly available to us when we repent.
  
• Baptism as beginning of a lifetime journey of holiness
• Baptism is not the end of our journey of faith, it is just the beginning.
  
• Baptism as commission for ministry
• In baptism, we are commissioned to serve God in all areas of our life
  

Responsibility of Baptism

• For parents
• To help raise them in the faith and model what it means to be a deeply committed Christian
• Encouraging them to claim faith for themselves
  
• For Godparents
• To help raise the child in the faith
• For Adults
• To make a commitment to be on the journey of knowing, loving and serving God toward becoming a deeply committed Christian.
• For the congregation
• To be active in the life of the individual helping her or him grow in faith.
• Baptism is a community event
  

Symbolism in the Act of Baptism

• Water is the central symbol

• Laying on of hands and anointing with oil
• Both laying on of hands and anointing with oil symbolize the work of the Holy Spirit.
• In the Old Testament, kings were anointed as being set aside by God.
  

Questions from Other Traditions

• How much water should be used?
• United Methodists practice sprinkling, pouring and full immersion. The water is a symbol of God's action and the amount does not matter.
• You are not more married if you have a larger wedding ring.
• You are not more baptized if more water is used
  
• Why are infants baptized?
• As United Methodists, we believe that God is at work in our lives before we are able to recognize.
• Faith is professed by the parents.
• Do I need to be rebaptized?
• In the United Methodist Church we do not practice re-baptism as we believe that God was at work in the first baptism.
• You do have the opportunity to remember your baptism or rededicate your life.
  
• When can a child claim faith for her or him self?
• A child who is baptized as an infant can claim that faith for her or him self in confirmation in 7th to 12th grade.
  
• Does baptism make me a member of the church?
• In baptism you become a member of the universal church.
• You become a member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection as an adult through Coffee with the Pastors.
• Adults who are baptized here are encouraged to join at Coffee with the Pastors.
• Adults who join at Coffee with the Pastors and have not been baptized are encouraged to be baptized.
  

Questions

• Do you have any questions?

Logistics

• Worship service in sanctuary
• Parents - wear colors, no stripes
• Arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of time, sit in section A, come up and stand at baptismal font at invitation
• Special Baptism service in Wesley Covenant Chapel
• Arrive early
• Check in
• Sit in assigned section
• Baptism Coordinator
  
• Make sure that you have signed in with the baptism coordinator
• Does the baptism coordinator have any additional announcements?

Further Questions

• I will be available for more questions after the meeting. I will be able to walk through at the baptismal font for those being baptized in the sanctuary.

Closing Prayer