Sacraments

Because we believe that all persons stand in need of God’s saving grace, and because Baptism is God’s invitation and incorporation into a new life in Christ, we offer Baptism to all who themselves, or through the efficacy of others, respond in faith to God’s invitation. Infants, very young children, and others who are not able to speak for themselves are brought to Baptism by parents or sponsors, who along with the church community, promise to encourage and nurture them in their journey of faith. Older children and adults who have not yet received Baptism come to Baptism in response to the proclamation of the Gospel and their conversion to Christ. Those who renew their faith in Christ, having already received the Sacrament of Baptism earlier in their lives, are not re-baptized. Rather, the Church recognizes their valid Baptism, along with their renewed profession of faith, and welcomes them through a joy-filled liturgy for the reaffirmation of baptismal promises.

Infants and Young Children: All who come to Baptism participate in baptismal preparation offered by the Church. First-time parents and sponsors of infants and younger children must meet with a pastor to discuss the significance of the Sacrament of Baptism and the responsibilities of Christian parents as the child’s first teachers in the ways of faith. Participation in a briefer refresher conversation is expected for successive children in the same family. In order to accommodate the needs of family members and guests, Baptism of infants and younger children takes place at various times throughout the year, often on special Sundays in the Christian calendar.

Older Children and Adults: Baptismal preparation for older children and adults is traditionally known as the catechumenate. The goal of this period of baptismal preparation at Community of the Savior is to bring one’s conversion and faith to deepening maturity. It seeks to guide, instruct, and enfold seekers and new believers into the life of faith, the liturgy, and the community of the people of God. Though this process may vary in length depending on a person’s prior formation and background, it normally concludes with a final phase of preparation during the Lenten season and culminates with the Sacrament of Baptism at the Easter Vigil.

Community of the Savior invites to the Lord’s Table all who love Christ, repent of sin, and seek to live in love as disciples of the Lord Jesus. The invitation to the Lord’s Table comes from Christ himself. When we respond to our Lord’s invitation, we affirm and strengthen our relationship with God through Christ and our commitment to serve Christ in the mission of God in the world.

Because Holy Baptism is the sacrament of incorporation into the People of God, it has historically preceded partaking of Holy Communion. Community of the Savior upholds this as the normative practice of the Church. However, Community of the Savior also recognizes that some who have not yet had the opportunity for Baptism may be able to respond faithfully to Christ’s invitation, and that others may even be drawn by the Spirit to a relationship with Christ during the Eucharistic celebration. Such persons may receive Holy Communion but are asked to contact one of our pastors as soon as possible for counsel and instruction about their journey of faith, the teachings of the Church, and the opportunity receive God’s gracious gift of Baptism. Any who have reservations or questions about receiving Communion are also encouraged to speak to a pastor, who will gladly provide counsel based on the teachings and practices of the Church.

The Journey toward Communion: As members of the covenant community through Baptism, children are participants in the sacramental life of the congregation. Infants and younger children develop a sense of trust and belonging as they come to the Lord’s Table, embraced by their parents, for a prayer of blessing. As children grow and develop, they participate in incrementally fuller ways. They begin to recognize something of the mystery, reverence, joy, gift, and acceptance that the People of God experience in the Eucharist. This leads to increasing interest and awe, and elicits questions about the very special part of the Sunday liturgy. At Community of the Savior, the initial and budding sense of wonder is reinforced and nurtured through age-appropriate children’s catechesis designed to prepare them for their first full reception of Holy Communion.

First Communion: Since full participation in Holy Communion is a significant step in one’s discipleship and participation in the life of Christ’s Church, Community the Savior celebrates a child’s first communion with a special Sunday liturgy that includes an appropriate recognition from the gathered assembly. Community of the Savior believes it is the privilege and responsibility of parents, through mutual conversation that includes the child, the pastor(s), and others who have participated in the child’s faith formation, to discern when a child is ready to receive the bread and the cup. Community of the Savior recognizes that the ages of children who are ready to receive first communion may vary, but in all cases, participation in Holy Communion should be accompanied by catechesis appropriate to the age of the communicant. Parents are encouraged to speak with one of the pastors to initiate the process of preparing their children for full participation in the Lord’s Supper.