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
