The Sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion

We believe and teach that the Church is the people of God, the Body of Christ, created and sustained by God himself. All Christians are part of the universal Church, sometimes called the "holy catholic church." "Catholic" comes from the Greek words "kata holos" meaning "according to the whole." The Biblical expression of being a member of the Church is faithful participation in worship, receiving and sharing the Sacraments, regular Christian fellowship and generous support of the mission of one’s congregation.

We believe and teach that Holy Baptism and Holy Communion are the two Sacraments given by Jesus Christ to his Church. We teach that Baptism is the sign and means of incorporation into the Christian life and the Church. Through Baptism God makes us his own as we are joined with Christ and with his people. Both children and adults can be baptized. This means we baptize both believers and the children of believers. We do not "re-baptize" people, but accept the validity of all Christian Baptisms. We teach that it is imperative for children who are baptized to come to a personal faith in Christ in order for the promises of Baptism to be effective. Even though we teach the importance and necessity of Baptism for Christian discipleship, we do not teach that unbaptized children are lost from God

Holy Communion is also called "The Lord's Supper" in many congregations. We teach that Holy Communion is the meal of grace that God uses to reassure, renew, and strengthen us in our relationship with him. It is also a sign and means of our unity and fellowship with other believers. We teach that in and with the bread and wine of this Sacrament we receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. God fills us with the life and presence of Christ through this precious meal. We are to receive this Sacrament with a believing heart, trusting that God loves and forgives us more than we can imagine and more than we deserve. All adult Christians are invited to participate in Holy Communion along with children who are prepared through our "Welcome to The Lord's Table" classes. Visitors and guests who profess Jesus as Lord and desire to received his Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sin are welcome to share Holy Communion with us.