Why do we Baptize? It is the great commission of our Lord Jesus that we would, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matt 28:19 Through water and the Word of God in baptism, we are liberated from sin and death by being joined to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Rom 6:3-4 God uses baptism to bring about faith. In baptism, we are “born again of the Spirit” John 3:5 to begin a new life freed in Christ to love God and serve others. Discover more about baptism on the ELCA website.
Steps for BaptismsSchedule the Baptism- The first step is to call our receptionist Tammy Horak at 365-1494 x.102 or email her at tammyh@firstlutherancr.org to schedule the baptism on one of designated baptismal weekends.
Home Visit - Prior to the Baptism, a pastor will meet with you to get to acquainted and to respond to any questions you may have. This visit can be at your home or at the church. Someone from our church will contact you to schedule this visit. Baptism Class - This one-hour class is generally offered one week before the baptism. You will learn more about why we do baptism, what will happen that day, and your role as the one being baptized or as a parent/ guardian, or sponsor. Photo & Bible Verse - Parents, please email a photo of your child to Tammy Horak one week prior to the baptism. Also please email a Bible verse of your choosing. This verse will be projected on the screens with their picture. We pray the verse will follow you and/or your child throughout his or her life. Pre-worship Meeting - Parents, sponsors, pastors, and those being baptized will gather the day of the baptism 30 minutes before the worship service time. We will meet in the main entry area. 
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Upcoming Baptism Weekends
Baptism Weekends usually take place at all services (5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday) on the fourth weekend of every month. Other dates are sometimes available. Please check with Tammy Horak in the office for up the minute details. Her contact is 365-1494 x.102 or at tammyh@firstlutherancr.org
Upcoming Baptism ClassesAll classes begin at 9 a.m. and last approximately one hour. Baptism classes usually take place the third Saturday of every month. Please check with Tammy Horak in the office for exact dates at 365-1494 x.102 or email her at tammyh@firstlutherancr.org
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Common Questions
What is an appropriate age for baptism?
Since the first days of the Christian Church, infants and adults have been baptized. We believe God is the one who acts at baptism through the earthly element of water connected to his unshakable Word. When infants are baptized, parents make promises for their child until the child is old enough to affirm these promises for themselves (typically around age 14).
Do I have to be a member?
No. Baptism is open to all who believe and wish to be baptized in the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, whether you are a member of First Lutheran Church or not. While congregation membership is not a requirement, we do believe a person is joined to the community of faith through baptism. In baptism, commitments are made to enter a life-long journey of faith within a congregation. We encourage families to be connected to a faith community. If you don’t have a church home, please consider First Lutheran as your church family.
What if I was raised in another faith tradition?
We believe there is only one lifelong Christian baptism in the triune God (In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). There is no need to “re-baptize” when someone comes to the Lutheran church from another Christian faith, or if someone who has been baptized feels they have fallen away from the faith. God’s word at baptism holds firm!
Baptismal Sponsors
One or more persons of your choosing will stand with you during the baptism. Sponsors have a calling to encourage the child in Christian faith. Sponsors can be any family member or friend who is a baptized Christian.
Church Sponsor
If the parents and sponsors of the baptized are not members of a congregation, we suggest the support of a congregation baptism sponsor. A congregation baptism sponsor stands with you during the baptism. They will also pray for your child and provide gentle encouragement and support for growing in faith.
Can I do a private baptism?
We do not perform private baptisms at First Lutheran Church. Baptism is entry into a community of faith, where the people of First Lutheran make promises to love, support, and pray for the child.
Emergency Baptism
Our pastors are glad to provide baptism on an emergency basis. In cases of a life-threating situation, a person may be baptized by any Christian with water from any source “in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.” Should a person die before a baptism can take place, in place of baptism, we commend the person to God's promises of life and salvation revealed in Jesus.
So I’ve been baptized. What now?
Baptism is not a “one and done” event. Whew, I got that out of the way! Baptism is rather the first milestone in a life-long journey of faith in community with other believers in the world we are called to work and serve. If you are baptizing your child, you are making promises to teach them the Christian faith, to bring them to worship and Sunday School, and to attend worship yourself. It’s important you work on your own spirituality to help them grow theirs. With the help of your sponsors and church, you will continue to teach them about God’s love through Jesus Christ hopefully through their own affirmation of baptism and beyond in a lifetime of service.
Since the first days of the Christian Church, infants and adults have been baptized. We believe God is the one who acts at baptism through the earthly element of water connected to his unshakable Word. When infants are baptized, parents make promises for their child until the child is old enough to affirm these promises for themselves (typically around age 14).
Do I have to be a member?
No. Baptism is open to all who believe and wish to be baptized in the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, whether you are a member of First Lutheran Church or not. While congregation membership is not a requirement, we do believe a person is joined to the community of faith through baptism. In baptism, commitments are made to enter a life-long journey of faith within a congregation. We encourage families to be connected to a faith community. If you don’t have a church home, please consider First Lutheran as your church family.
What if I was raised in another faith tradition?
We believe there is only one lifelong Christian baptism in the triune God (In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). There is no need to “re-baptize” when someone comes to the Lutheran church from another Christian faith, or if someone who has been baptized feels they have fallen away from the faith. God’s word at baptism holds firm!
Baptismal Sponsors
One or more persons of your choosing will stand with you during the baptism. Sponsors have a calling to encourage the child in Christian faith. Sponsors can be any family member or friend who is a baptized Christian.
Church Sponsor
If the parents and sponsors of the baptized are not members of a congregation, we suggest the support of a congregation baptism sponsor. A congregation baptism sponsor stands with you during the baptism. They will also pray for your child and provide gentle encouragement and support for growing in faith.
Can I do a private baptism?
We do not perform private baptisms at First Lutheran Church. Baptism is entry into a community of faith, where the people of First Lutheran make promises to love, support, and pray for the child.
Emergency Baptism
Our pastors are glad to provide baptism on an emergency basis. In cases of a life-threating situation, a person may be baptized by any Christian with water from any source “in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.” Should a person die before a baptism can take place, in place of baptism, we commend the person to God's promises of life and salvation revealed in Jesus.
So I’ve been baptized. What now?
Baptism is not a “one and done” event. Whew, I got that out of the way! Baptism is rather the first milestone in a life-long journey of faith in community with other believers in the world we are called to work and serve. If you are baptizing your child, you are making promises to teach them the Christian faith, to bring them to worship and Sunday School, and to attend worship yourself. It’s important you work on your own spirituality to help them grow theirs. With the help of your sponsors and church, you will continue to teach them about God’s love through Jesus Christ hopefully through their own affirmation of baptism and beyond in a lifetime of service.