For two thousand years and counting, people have marked the beginning of their life in Christ with Baptism, and that is certainly true at St. Michael’s Anglican Church. Baptism is open to anyone who wants to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This includes adults as well as children.
Go therefore 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
We are so glad that you are considering baptism for yourself or your child. It is our greatest joy in the church to welcome a new member into the family of God. Our prayer is that through this sacrament you will experience the power and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Before you begin your journey towards baptism, you might have a few questions. We hope we can answer most of them here so that your experience is as joyful as possible.
For more information, please contact Dee Goehring, dee@stmichaelschurch.net.
Baptism Registration Form
What is baptism?
Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Jesus. A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. The outward and visible sign is water and the inward and spiritual grace given to us by God through the waters of baptism is new birth and adoption as his son or daughter, a member of his divine household. With baptism, we are forgiven and cleansed from our sin and united with Christ in his death and resurrection. We are welcomed as members of the Body of Christ, the Church, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Does baptism guarantee salvation and a place in heaven?
Like any other gift that is given, one can decide not to open and receive the gift. The gift of new life given in baptism is no different. Most assuredly, the gift God gives is real and his promises are true, but the individual who has been baptized can choose to reject the gift of God and turn from him eternally. Our prayer is that by the prayer and witness of parents and Godparents along with the support of the church community, there will be a greater prospect of the individual, by faith, receiving fully the gift of God and knowing the love of the giver.
Do we baptize adults?
Yes, we do, and this is one of our greatest joys. In order to be baptized, an adult must renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces that work against God, repent of his or her sins, and turn to Jesus Christ and trust him as Savior and Lord. Adults who wish to be baptized, as part of their preparation, must complete the Alpha Course and meet one-on-one with a priest for specific baptismal instruction.
Do we baptize infants and why?
Yes, we do baptize infants and small children, which is part of our Anglican tradition and the wider church’s practice since its very earliest days. We believe this practice is agreeable with the Biblical understanding of the sacrament. We believe that the chief actor in the sacrament of baptism is God himself rather than the person being baptized. When a helpless infant is baptized, this truth is beautifully apparent. Just as infants are full members of their earthly families, through baptism they can also become full members of the family of God, the Church.
What is required of the parents of a child being baptized?
First, please fill out the Baptism Registration Form below to start the process. Once completed, a member of the staff will contact you. We do baptisms on the third Sunday of the month, at the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services. We have no more than two families at each service on Baptism Sunday. We regularly baptize two or more babies each month, so please try and plan your baptism at least two months in advance. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
If I have been baptized before in another denomination, do I need to be re-baptized in the Anglican Church in order to join Saint Michael’s?
No. We believe that there is one Lord, one Faith, and one baptism. We recognize as valid any baptism of an individual in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Who should we choose as Godparents?
The Godparents should be followers of Jesus Christ and active members of a Christian Church. The Godparents make the same vows and declarations that the parents make as part of baptismal liturgy. You will want to choose Godparents who can make these vows in good conscience.
When are baptisms done at Saint Michael’s?
Baptisms are celebrated as part of the corporate worship life of our congregation. Baptisms occur for members on the third Sunday of the month.
How can I get more information on Baptism?
Please contact Dee Goehring, dee@stmichaelschurch.net.