First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  Worship
 


Sacraments

Baptism at First Presbyterian Church 

Baptism is a joyous and holy celebration in the life of the Christian family!  All people are lovingly created and claimed by God as God’s own children; we respond to God’s grace by presenting our children or ourselves for baptism.  In baptism, we are symbolically “marked” as one of Christ’s disciples, welcomed into the church family, and begin a new life in Christ.   

When parents bring children for baptism, they make promises on their children’s behalf, committing to raise their children in the church.  Baptism becomes one step on a life-long journey, which continues as the children “confirm” their parents’ promises – participating in confirmation and joining the church – and continuing for a lifetime of discipleship.  Therefore, baptism, far from being a one-time ritual, is the beginning of a life-long commitment to God; First Church seeks to help parents live out their commitments through worship, Sunday School, music, mission experiences, and myriad opportunities to build relationships while serving God together. 

One or both parents should be active members of First Presbyterian’s worshipping community, and must be comfortable making the following promises:

Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce the power of evil in the world?
We do.

Who is your Lord and Savior?
Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior

Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obeying his word and showing his love?
We will, with God’s help.

We welcome all people into the life of First Church, regardless of baptism!  Parents who are not yet comfortable making these professions are encouraged to continue coming to church, bringing their children to the nursery and to Sunday School, and will receive our care and support.   

As with any commitment, advance planning is required, so we recommend that you contact us at least two months before your desired date.  The FAQs below will help you to prepare for your baptism commitment.  After reading them, please call the church at 847-234-6250 and speak with Sarah Seccombe.  Sarah will take all necessary information and forward your request to a pastor.  The pastor will conduct pre-baptism counseling with one or both parents before requesting approval from our Session (governing body of our church).  

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child be baptized?
We believe that God is at work in our lives before we are even born, so we welcome children of any age for baptism.  Youth and adults are baptized when they join the church, through confirmation (eighth grade) or new member class.  

What if I’m not a member at First Pres? Can my child still be baptized here? 
In order for baptism to have integrity, only parents committed to nurturing their children within a church family should have their children baptized. For that reason, one or both parents will ordinarily be active members of First Presbyterian Church’s worshipping community.  If you are considering having your child(ren) baptized here, we encourage you to worship with us on Sundays…visit the nursery with your child…have a cup of coffee in Fellowship Hall afterward…stop and chat with a pastor…join a Bible Study.  Get to know the church family and let us know you, so that we can better support you as you consider baptism for your child(ren). 

We will gladly consider requests from parent(s) who are active member(s) of another Christian congregation but who have a particular connection to First Pres (e.g. they grew up or were married here).  A pastor will connect with the family’s current congregation to ensure that the church will support the parents as they nurture the baby in the Christian faith.

Why is this necessary?
In baptism, the congregation of First Presbyterian Church vows:  “We promise to guide and nurture these children by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Jesus, and to be a faithful member of this church.”

We take this promise to heart!  We share God’s love every week in the nursery, Sunday School, worship, and Pre School.  We encourage children to lead us by singing in worship, we enthusiastically plan and staff an exciting week of Vacation Bible School so that they might experience God, and we welcome them to the Communion table, where they are nourished by Christ.  We want to get to know your children, and to fulfill our promises to them and to you.

My spouse and I are of different faiths/denominations. 
Can we still have our child baptized here? 
We would love to counsel you through your family’s options.  If you wish to raise your child in the Presbyterian Church, and one parent is able to make the baptismal commitments, then we are privileged to conduct a baptism here.  If you would like to raise your children with a commitment to both faith traditions in which a Christian baptism is not appropriate, we are happy to welcome your children with a blessing or presentation in worship.  

Can we have godparents for our baby as part of the service?
In the Presbyterian Church, the entire congregation takes this role, promising to support the parents in providing a Christian upbringing for the child(ren); therefore, godparents are not required.  Parents who wish to have godparents for their children are very welcome to invite them to participate in the service as the baby’s sponsors.

When do baptisms occur? 
Baptisms occur only within a worship service of the congregation.  Usually this is the second Sunday of each month, at 11:00 (10:00, June-August), although there are several exceptions, so please see below for this year’s dates. 

Baptisms may also be conducted at first@five, our Sunday evening worship service, on a mutually agreeable date. 

APPROVED 2012 BAPTISM DATES
Sunday, January 8
Sunday, February 19
Sunday, March 11
Sunday, April 8
Sunday, May 13
Sunday, June 10*
Sunday, July 8*
Sunday, August 12*
Sunday, September 9
Sunday, October 14
Sunday, November 25
Sunday, December 23

Baptisms are at the 11:00 am worship service
* Baptism will be at the 10:00am worship service

Additional questions can be answered in pre-baptism counseling or by contacting Reverend Amy Pagliarella at apagliarella@firstchurchlf.org


 
Communion
A remembering of the community of Jesus and his disciples
A time to renew faith and strengthen us to live the life Jesus taught
Pita bread and grape juice are used, representing the body and blood of Christ
Symbolized the new covenant between God and all people
Commanded by Jesus
Celebrated first Sunday of every month in worship
Home communion distributed to shut ins every time it is celebrated in worship
Contact: sseccombe@firstchurchlf.org

Click here for communion education for families


Weddings

Weddings
We understand that a wedding is a religious event. The music, readings and liturgy of the church service will be rooted in Christian tradition and will honor and glorify the God who joins the couple in Christian marriage.
 
Click here to see our Wedding Guide with information on having your wedding at First Church
Contact: sseccombe@firstchurchlf.org


Funerals

Funerals/Memorials
We understand that a memorial service or a funeral is a religious service of thanksgiving and hope for the gift of the life of the deceased individual. The music, readings and liturgy of the church service will be rooted in Christian tradition and will honor and glorify the God in whom we put our faith.
 
Call the church office (847) 234-6250 when you have a need and ask for any pastor. They will guide you and your family through the difficult process of planning a funeral or memorial service.

Memorial Gifts
Memorial gifts in memory of or honoring an individual may be made at any time. These gifts are used primarily for the beautification and enhancement of worship space. A committee oversees the use of these undesignated funds, working with the family of the honoree and with the pastors regarding needs.
Contact: jjohnson@firstchurchlf.org


Serving in Worship

Acolytes
Junior high girls and boys are trained to light worship candles at the 9:00 service. They wear robes and process formally to light and extinguish candelabra in the chancel. Students serve one or more times during the year. Ushers serve as acolytes at the 11:00 service.
 
Fellowship
An important event in the life of the church. A time to make new friends and reconnect with old friends while catching up on church activities. It is held every Sunday after both worship services. Committees share the responsibility of hosting fellowship.
 
Flowers for Worship
We welcome your gift of flowers to enhance worship. Flowers may be donated in memory of a loved one, in remembrance of a special occasion, to the glory of God or for a celebration you wish to recognize. A sign up poster is outside the main office where you may sign up for a particular Sunday.
 
Flowers may be displayed in the two niches; niche sizes are: 23” long by 8” deep by 32” high.
In front of the communion table
In the baptismal area; a small bouquet or arrangement works best here
 
At Christmas and Easter our sanctuary is decorated with funds donated by many in the congregation. A memorial list of all those who donated is printed in the bulletin on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.
Contact: moderator@firstchurchlf.org

Choirs
Sanctuary Choir for adults
Children’s Choirs
Instrumentalists
Youth Music Ministry
 
Head Ushers
Men, women and high school youth are trained to offer a hospitable welcome to worshippers and to assist in the orderly completion of worship. This ministry is a vital part of the worship experience. Head ushers serve for one month a year at one of the services. They are responsible for the successful training of their usher team.

Ushers
Women, men and high school youth serve as ushers at each worship service on Sunday; 8 at the 9:00 service and 6 at the 11:00 service. Experience is not required. A trained Head Usher supplies clear instructions about your tasks. This opportunity offers a great chance to welcome worshippers.
 
Liturgists
Women, men and high school youth are trained to lead the congregation during worship with prayer and reading of scripture. This essential ministry reflects the belief that all are responsible for participating in worship, each with her/his own gifts.

Contact: moderator@firstchurchlf.org


700 North Sheridan Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045 phone: (847) 234-6250 fax: (847) 234-6283