BAPTISM

In the United Church of Christ, the sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. Inasmuch as the promise of the gospel is not only to us but also to our children, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ’s church. In baptism, God works in us the power of forgiveness, the renewal of the Spirit, and the knowledge of the call to be God’s people always.

Here at First Church we baptize by the sprinkling of water on one's forehead. People of all ages are welcomed to be baptized into the faith and life of Jesus Christ.

Questions
*What is a "sacrament"?
A sacrament is a visible act done by human beings in which God is at work. In the UCC, we have two sacraments, baptism and communion. We also have rituals, like marriage, confirmation, and services of thanksgiving for the life of someone who has died.

What happens when someone is baptized?
*During worship, promises are made by the person being baptized (or their sponsors or guardians/parents), and promises are made by the people of the church. The promises are about loving God and following Jesus and helping each other to do that. Water is blessed with prayer, and at the moment of baptism, the minister sprinkles water on the forehead of the individual saying words like these or something similar:
"I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. One God and the Mother of us all."