-
- Infant baptism involves the parents, sponsors and congregation answering questions and making promises on behalf of the child. They promise to help the child know and believe these promises as they grow. Infants are often brought to be baptized within the first months of their life.
-
- Nicole Zhang, from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Park Ridge, Ill., holds a candle after she is baptized. “Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 231)
-
- Nicole Zhang, from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Park Ridge, Ill., is baptized by the pastor in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a sign and testimony of God’s grace, awakening and creating faith. Pouring suggests cleansing from sin. We believe that it is not the water that does such great things, but the word of God connected with the water.
-
- Shelley Wickstrom, bishop of the ELCA’s Alaska Synod, sprinkles the congregation with water during the Thanksgiving for Baptism service at the Churchwide Assembly in Orlando, Fla. “Pour out your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are washed in the waters of baptism may be given new life.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship p. 230)
-
- At the beginning of the baptism service, during the gathering song, the pastor may sprinkle the crowd with this brush and water from the font. “The location of the font within the church building should express the idea of entrance into the community of faith, and should allow ample space for people to gather around.” (Lutheran Book of Worship: Ministers Desk Edition, p. 30)
-
- Baptism at any age involves being washed and clothed with God’s love in Christ. Baptism may be by either sprinkling or immersion, which is to be fully submerged in a tub of water such as this young boy is. Immersion symbolizes our dying and rising with Christ.
“Our baptism is a significant part of our faith journey as we come from the baptismal waters to live a new life as children of God. … Our baptism sets us out on a lifelong journey that is characterized by our relationship to God, our relationship to our faith community, our relationships with various parts of our neighborhood and community, and our relationship to the wider world.” (“The Baptismal Covenant and the ELCA Faith Practices,” ELCA)
