25th anniversary of my baptism

SRoper · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2006, 05:53 PM

Today, September 20th, is the 25th anniversary of my baptism. It took a while before my faith was confirmed, but I don't have a decision card, so I can't celebrate that day.

I was baptized in the Federated Church (UCC) in Chagrin Falls, OH. I thought maybe some people would be interested in the pamphlet they gave my mother when I was baptized, so I transcribed it below. Kind of sad what happens to a historically Reformed church after so many years of liberalism. Actually if you get past the first paragraph it isn't too bad.

Quote:

INFANT BAPTISM AT THE FEDERATED CHURCH
The Meaning of the Sacrament

In the Roman Catholic and in some Protestant Churches the Sacrament of Baptism has been conceived and taught to be an act of cleansing from "œoriginal sin" passed down from Adam. This, however, is not the meaning of the rite in The Federated Church of Chagrin Falls. While we have never standardized dogmas and doctrines, preferring to operate from a simple Covenant of Church Membership, our traditional view has been that children are born into the world quite acceptable to God, and that there is no need to have the child baptized to cleanse it to insure its approbation before the Heavenly Father. It seems to us that Jesus calling the little children to him and using them as an example of the Kingdom of God supercedes the Garden of Eden myth with its more primitive concept of God.

An important part of the meaning of Infant Baptism is the ritualization of our sense of appreciation to God for the precious gift which comes into our homes with the presence of a child. It is recognition that we as parents do not create the child; God is the child´s Father and we have been given the holy and loving trust of rearing the child.

With this gift also comes a solemn and serious obligation. In the Sacrament of Baptism parents make vows and promises to instruct the child in the Christian faith and live their lives in such a manner as to inspire and lead the child toward growth in a life of religious nurture, prayer and fellowship with the church.

With this gift also comes a solemn and serious obligation. In the Sacrament of Baptism parents make vows and promises to instruct the child in the Christian faith and live their lives in such a manner as to inspire and lead the child toward growth in a life of religious nurture, prayer and fellowship with the church.

It is not necessary that there be Sponsors or Godparents, but when parents desire Sponsors to participate, they promise to aid the parents in fulfilling promises to lead the child in the Christian life and mission.

While the Sacrament of Baptism does not make the child a fill member of the Church of Jesus Christ or any of its local branches, it is a "œwelcome in the household of faith." It pledges the home and the church to share together in the child´s Christian nurture. It is a parental declaration of the intention to rear the child with the help of the church.

At the time of Confirmation, which follows a series of classes for seventh and eighth grade young people, the youth makes the Confession of Faith and takes the vows which the parents made at the time of Baptism. At that time the youth becomes a full member of the Church.

We hope this explanation of the meaning of the Sacrament, along with the actual text of the service which follows, will make it plain that the parents intention to rear the child in the church is of paramount importance. It is also our feeling that the vows imply a close and continuing relationship between church and home. Generally speaking, if parents do not value the church enough to become a part of it and work in it, we see the rite as a logical inconsistency and would prefer not to participate in it. Parental example is, by far, the most important and effective way of teaching the child.

THE ORDER FOR SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM FOR INFANTS OR CHILDREN

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Thy mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children´s children.

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm.

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. Jesus said, suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for such is the kingdom of God.

ADDRESS

Dearly beloved, you have brought your child here desiring for him or her Christian baptism. This is a service of thanksgiving as we offer to God the gratitude of our hearts for the hope and happiness which come into our lives by the presence of a child. It is a recognition of God as the giver of life and a testimony that children belong, with us who believe, to the church; and that Christ claims them as his own, calling them to himself. Also, the service is one of dedication and consecration: the dedication of your child to God; and your own consecration to new and higher fidelity. From the days of our fathers the church has taught that the sacrament of baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of union with Christ in his body, of cleansing of heart and soul, of resurrection unto eternal life, of our calling and engagement to be his forever, and of our welcome in the household of faith.

You do now engage upon your part to perform those things needful that the good will and love of the heavenly Father be not hidden from him or her, but rather that they may be made evident; that he or she may grow into the love and nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Do you thus engage?

RESPONSE: I do.

MINISTER: Do you promise to instruct this child in the Word of God, and by precept and example to bring him or her up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, to teach him or her the principles of our Christian religion, to pray with him or her and for him or her and to rear him or her up in the fellowship of the church?

RESPONSE: I do.

"¦

MINISTER: Do you, the members of this church as of the whole Church of Christ, receive this child into your love and care, and do you promise that so far as in you lies you will uphold and encourage the parents in the fulfillment of their covenant?

RESPONSE: We do.

MINISTER: Grant, O Lord, unto these thy servants, the grace to perform that which they have promised before thee. And sanctify with thy spirit this child now to be baptized and committed in the Christian faith to thee.

Amen.

THE BAPTISM

_________, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

This child is now received into the love and care of the church in the good hope that hereafter he or she may never be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, but may be kept steadfast in his or her love and service.

Let us pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, who of thine infinite mercy and goodness dost give little ones unto us to increase our joy, and hast promised that thou wilt be not only our God, but also the God and Father of our children; keep, guard and bless this child evermore. As he or she has been baptized by our ministry into the Christian church, so may he or she by thy guidance become one with Christ. Breathe upon him or her now and always thy Holy Spirit. Grant that he or she may be a blessing to the home and the world into which he or she has been born.

O God our Father, give unto thy servants to whom thou hast committed this blessed trust a wise, loving, devout and faithful spirit. Guide them with thy counsel as they teach and train their child; and help them to lead their household into an ever-increasing knowledge of Christ, and a more steadfast obedience to thy will. Grant that they may serve thy Church with renewed devotion and steadfast loyalty.

We commend to thy fatherly care the children and families of this congregation. Help us in our homes to honor thee, and by love to serve one another. And to thy name be all blessing and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.