|
Ministry Links |
||
| About Us | Ministries | Resources |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MUSIC MINISTRY
EVENTS
NEWEST DOCUMENTS
Direct Deposit Form
Sermon Notes 02.20.11 Out of the Darkness
Sermon Notes 01_10_10 Live Your Best Life
Sermon Notes 01.30.11 Leading Change
Sermon Notes 01.23.11 New Year, Start Here
Sermon Notes 01.16.11 New Year, Deeper Faith
Sermon Notes 01.09.11 New Year, New You
Sermon Notes 12.04.11 First Advent
Sermon Notes 12.11.11 Does God ask too much
Sermon Notes 12.18.11 My Crazy Christmas Family
Church Council Minutes for November 2011
Youth Staff Proposal+CoverMemo
March 2011 Monthly Financial Statement
Church Council Minutes 7.20.11
Church Council Minutes 6.20.11
Church Council Mintues 3.16.11
Church Conference MinutesAugust 17 and special Church Council
2011 Church Calendar
SPRC Powerpoint Training
2011 Leadership Team2
UMC%20Guidelines%20-%20Leader%20Selection
Leadership Values
Nominations Committee
2011 Leadership Team
SPRC Guidleines
SPRC Training
UMC%20Guidelines%20-%20SPRC
Staff Parish Annual Plan
SPRC Summary
SPRCDuties
Jan 19 2011 Worship Agenda
Feb 16 2011 Worship Agenda
June 4 2010 Special Called Mtg
Sept 15 2010 Church Council
Oct 13 2010 Church Council
Nov 10 2010 Church Council
May 19 2010 Church Council
June 16 2010 Church Council
July 14, 2010 Church Council
Aug 11 2010 Church Council
Apr 20 2010 Church Council
Choir Director PD
State of the Church 2010
reporterjanfeb2011[1]
Tiding August 2010
September 2010 Tidings
October 2010 Tiding
November 2010 Tidings
January 2011 Tidings
February 2011 Tidings
| BAPTISM |
|
|
|
|
The Meaning of Sacraments We believe the Sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian's profession and of God's love toward us. They are avenues of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in him. Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper. The Meaning of Baptism Baptism is a sacrament and a means of grace. In a sacrament, God uses common elements, in this case water, as means or vehicles of divine grace. Baptism is administered by the church as the Body of Christ. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. A Wesleyan Distinctive In the United Methodist Tradition, It is "through water and the Spirit" that we enter into new spiritual life in relationship to God in Christ. Baptism of an infant powerfully portrays the utter dependence which all of us have on God. The sacrament is the sign of God's promise of ongoing grace, offering continual forgiveness and transformation throughout our lives. We do not receive all of the benefits of baptism at once; this is particularly obvious when infants are baptized. At whatever age it is received, baptism demonstrates our inclusion into the covenant with God and our access to the divine grace that claims, sustains, and saves us. What Is Baptism? (Matthew 28:19) 1. It is a Means of Grace (spiritual act) I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." (Mark 1:8) Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19 2. Water baptism is a public sign of a covenantal relationship and identification with Christ. 3. The sacrament is the sign of God's promise of ongoing grace, offering continual forgiveness and transformation The Holy Spirit work within you that being born of water and Spirit You may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
4. Baptism is a commandment for growing disciples Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 5. Does Baptism mean I've been saved? Salvation is a lifelong process during which we must continue to respond to God's grace. Baptism offers the promise that the Holy Spirit will always be working in our lives, but salvation requires our acceptance of that grace, trust in Christ, and ongoing growth in holiness as long as we live. 6. It is a Covenant relationship with God and the church For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. 1 Peter 3 For more information about baptism, or to speak with a church leader, contact the church office |










