Baptism and Holy Communion
Human beings and human communities are shaped by stories. For example: American rags to riches stories, the stories of the good guys vs. bad guys where the good guys bring order and peace by killing the evil enemy, and the TV commercial story where one is fulfilled by buying a certain product. These stories seek to shape us, and they call us to trust in their promises.
The waters of Baptism and the Bread and Wine of Holy Communion are filled with alternative stories: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the lives of saints, martyrs, and ordinary followers of Jesus, stories of evil defeated by the power of love, and stories of God’s liberation and deliverance. These stories also seek to shape us. They call us to trust Jesus Christ the only one whose promises are sure.
Holy Baptism
We baptize because Jesus tells us in the Great Commission - "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:18-19
The waters of Baptism and the Bread and Wine of Holy Communion are filled with alternative stories: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the lives of saints, martyrs, and ordinary followers of Jesus, stories of evil defeated by the power of love, and stories of God’s liberation and deliverance. These stories also seek to shape us. They call us to trust Jesus Christ the only one whose promises are sure.
Holy Baptism
We baptize because Jesus tells us in the Great Commission - "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” Matthew 28:18-19
Through Holy Baptism we are gifted with friendship with God, the presence of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sin, a home and family, a new identity - “child of God”, new birth, a new beginning, brothers and sisters, a calling, a purpose, a story and a glorious promise that… “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
We baptize people of any age. The Lutheran church baptizes infants because we believe that baptism is God’s gracious action not ours. If you would like to be baptized, or have your child baptized, please speak with the pastor.
Holy Communion
In the sacrament of Holy Communion we experience the real presence of Jesus Christ. We remember on the night before he died, Jesus and his friends gathered for a very special meal. Jesus gave thanks to God and broke the bread. Then all shared the bread and a cup of wine. Jesus said to his friends, “whenever you share this bread and cup, I will be with you, feeding you, loving you, and forgiving you.”
We baptize people of any age. The Lutheran church baptizes infants because we believe that baptism is God’s gracious action not ours. If you would like to be baptized, or have your child baptized, please speak with the pastor.
Holy Communion
In the sacrament of Holy Communion we experience the real presence of Jesus Christ. We remember on the night before he died, Jesus and his friends gathered for a very special meal. Jesus gave thanks to God and broke the bread. Then all shared the bread and a cup of wine. Jesus said to his friends, “whenever you share this bread and cup, I will be with you, feeding you, loving you, and forgiving you.”
It is Jesus who invites us to participate in this meal and so here at First Lutheran Church we have an “open table” where everyone is welcome to share in the Lord’s Supper. Wine or grape juice and wheat or gluten-free bread are available during communion.
We offer Communion instruction for all ages during the fall each year, as well as during confirmation and during adult learning opportunities. Holy Communion is available to all ages. If you would like your child to receive Communion please speak with the pastor.
We offer Communion instruction for all ages during the fall each year, as well as during confirmation and during adult learning opportunities. Holy Communion is available to all ages. If you would like your child to receive Communion please speak with the pastor.
