Baptisms
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 gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God's mission for the life of the world.
- ELCA Service of Holy Baptism, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, pg 227.
In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, water and God’s promises connect the one who is baptized with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This sacrament is an outward sign of our salvation and God’s unbreakable promise to us of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. Holy Baptism marks the entrance into the Christian community, the Church, and gathers the community together as children of God joined by their connection to Christ. Baptism is once and for all, and it is for people of any age. The Lutheran church baptizes infants because we believe that baptism is God’s gracious action not ours.
Prior to baptism, parents and their children participate in a Saturday morning class (2nd Saturday of every month at 9:15-10:45 am) to explore the meaning of baptism and to become familiar with the service. To schedule a baptism and register for the class, please contact Peggy Dunn at pdunn@bethlehem-church.org.