Saint John's United Methodist Church

     The Bible is not clear about either the age of those to be baptized, the amount of water used or even the intrinsic meaning of the ritual.  If baptism is defined as a celebration of a person’s acceptance of Christ, then only “Believer’s Baptism” (baptism of youth or adults) makes sense.  This is the way some Christians have begun to understand baptism in the last three hundred years and is obviously applicable when a youth or adult accept Jesus Christ and comes into the church for the first time.  However, according to the classical “fathers of the church”(those who collected the Scriptures and organized the church in the second-fourth centuries), the water used in baptism is a symbol of the grace of God which is always with us --- even when we are too young or ignorant to be mindful of its presence!
     Therefore, the practice of baptizing infants began to give witness to the constant, prevenient (“preceding”) blessing of God given to us to help us grow into abundant life.   At the age of accountability, the youth or adult becomes responsible for the acceptance of the gift.   We call this personal acceptance of the gift of grace “Salvation,” and at the time the youth or adult who was baptized as an infant comes forward to be “confirmed” – they publicly confess their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Most Christians practice infant baptism.  However, since the Bible does not define the ritual, in the same way as the communion, we ask the parents to make a decision that both expresses and strengthens the faith of the family.

     Communion is a symbol of the revelation of God through Jesus Christ and a symbol of our own salvation as we accept Christ into our lives as Lord.  We believe that as we participate with faith and communion, Christ is literally with us to draw us to Him and fill us with His grace.  This sacrament has traditionally been called a meal of “remembrance”.  However, “ remembering” here does not mean remembering someone who is absent or an event in the past.  It comes from the Greek which means “re-connecting that which has been severed”.  We are “remembering” the Body of Christ! In a spiritual but very literal way, we are reconnecting with Christ and through Him reconnecting with the Father and with each other, so that we become One.

     Methodists have an old saying: “Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent.”  This means that where the Scriptures are not clear, we do not set down precepts.  Nowhere does the Bible say how old we should be to take communion.  Some say that children should be old enough to understand before they take sacrament, because our Lord’s Last Supper and sacrifice are so important.  Others say that children do best if they participate experientially in major events (Christmas, birthdays, family reunions, etc…) even before they understand them intellectually.  In addition, the question arises of who really UNDERSTANDS communion?  In a miraculous way, when we kneel in faith before the altar, we meet the real presence of Christ.  Yet no one can truly comprehend how it happens.  Given the valid arguments on each side, we ask the parents of each child to make a decision that serves both to express and to enhance the faith of the family.

     Both members and non-members celebrate their commitment to one another by making the marriage covenant in our sanctuary.  Pre-marital counseling sessions are held with the Pastor to discuss the relationship, faith issues, concerns, and the wedding ceremony itself.  Interested persons should call the church office at least 3 to 6 months in advance to receive the wedding guidelines and schedule pastoral appointments.

     Saint John's expresses care for God’s people from birth through death. When the bodies we are given cease functioning, we surround the family with love and concern.  Our Pastor is available to assist with preparation for funerals and memorial services either before or after death.  Our sanctuary is frequently used for services for members and non-members.