God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the Holy Spirit, and joined in God’s mission for the life of the world.
Service of Holy Baptism Evangelical Lutheran Worship
At Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, we delight in celebrating baptisms. Through this gift we are reminded of God’s unending love, and called to work for compassion, justice, and peace in the world.
Baptisms are celebrated during Sunday worship services on a regular basis. If you would like to be baptized or to have your child baptized, please contact one of the pastors; we will meet with you to talk through the meaning of baptism and to schedule the best Sunday for your family.
Lutherans teach that Holy Baptism is the work of God, acting through an ordinary element (water) to proclaim extraordinary love. Through baptism we are adopted into God’s family and invited into a way of life which centers on mercy and grace.
ecause baptism is primarily about God’s promise, we do celebrate infant baptism. Children, who are utterly dependent on parents and guardians for care, remind us that we are all equally dependent on God for abundant life. Those who are baptized as infants are encouraged to affirm their baptism through Confirmation—a three-year class usually done in junior high.
Although a person is only baptized once, the way of life which begins in baptism is a daily and life-long process. Sponsors, the congregation, and many others surround the baptized with prayer, encouragement, and opportunities for learning and service. Sunday School, Confirmation, Adult Education classes, and all ministries are done out of this baptismal call to work for compassion, justice, and peace in God’s beloved world.
The church year provides a pattern for celebrating baptisms. We refrain from baptizing during the season of Lent, as we prepare for Easter in a time of contemplation. In the ancient church, baptisms were celebrated only once a year: at the Easter Vigil service, the night before Easter Day. At HSLC, we hold a special baptismal service on Easter Sunday– please talk to one of the pastors for more information on that service. Apart from Lent, baptisms may also be scheduled on nearly any Sunday of the year.
Because baptism is a welcome into the whole family of God, and because the congregation makes promises to support the baptized person in their life of faith, we do not ordinarily celebrate private baptisms. Please talk to one of the pastors if this is a concern for you.