Reverend Dr. Thomas A. Leutner
Baptism
Persons are incorporated into the universal church through the sacrament of
baptism.
The water, words and actions of the sacrament are visible signs that convey
a burial and resurrection with Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Baptism should occur
only once in a person's life. If there is a question about whether baptism has
taken place, a conditional phrase is added as a person is baptized. This sacarment
is most properly incorporated into Sunday worship.
Holy Communion
The invitation and call to the supper emphasize that all people of faith are
welcome at Christ's table. The invitation and call celebrate not only the memory
of a meal that is past, but an actual meal with the risen Christ that is a foretaste
of the heavenly banguet at which Christ preside at the end of history. The visible
breaking of the bread and pouring of the cup are symbolic actions with double
significance. The wheat is gathered to make one loaf and the grapes that are
pressed to make one cup remind participants that they are one in the body of
Christ, the church.
This sacrament is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month throughout the
church year.