Baptism of Infants and Children
The baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God’s love claims us before we are able to respond in faith. The congregation, on behalf of the whole church, assumes responsibility for nurturing the baptized children in the Christian life, and it is for this reason that the congregation makes such a promise during the service. When a child is baptized, the parents make a profession of faith on behalf of their child. As the parents claim that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, they also make commitments to raise their child to know Jesus Christ. In baptism, a child becomes a part of the church family but they must one day, make their own decision to follow Jesus Christ. This decision often takes place in the elementary or middle school years. Many of our children confirm their parents’ desire when they go through the confirmation process, (7th, 8th, & 9th grade years). PPC also walks alongside families as they teach their children about faith and a relationship with Jesus Christ. PPC provides age appropriate and dynamic programs for children and students and young people. In order to have a child baptized, at least one parent should be a member of Poland Presbyterian Church (PPC). We recognize that rare circumstances can arise, in which case the pastor and session of PPC will meet to discuss all special requests. Parents will need to meet with the pastor regarding the theology of baptism and the promises they will make on behalf of their child at the time of the baptism. Baptism dates are scheduled in consultation with the Pastor/ Head of Staff. Ordinarily, baptisms are not held the first Sunday of the month as that is when communion is served. After the date is scheduled a letter will be sent explaining baptism and in the Presbyterian church, and instructions for the baptismal service itself. To schedule a baptism, call the church office at 330-757-1547. 
Details of a PPC Baptism
Is there a particular place the family is to sit in the Sanctuary?
We reserve seats "front" and "center" near the center aisle of the Sanctuary for our baptism families. If your family needs assistance, any usher can direct them to the baptism reserved seating. Please be sure to let us know in advance of that Sunday how many seats to reserve for you — please don’t forget to include yourselves as you will join your family after the baptism. What happens after the baptism? Following the baptism portion of the worship service, we ask that you be seated with your family and remain in worship for the duration of the service. All baptism families will exit the chancel platform together; at that point, you may take your child to the church nursery, then return to the Sanctuary. Can we have pictures taken during the baptism? We know that it’s important to remember your child’s baptism day through pictures. We can, at your request, provide a photographer to take pictures of the baptism during the worship service. We ask that you keep the spirit of the worship service and that you tell your family to not take pictures — even digital pictures — during the worship service. We will mail the pictures to your home about 1-2 weeks after the baptism. Your family can, of course, take pictures before and after the service. Can I get a DVD copy of my child’s baptism? Yes, again, please ask your family not to video tape the baptism. We are happy to make DVDs of the entire service available to your family at a cost of $5.00 each. Please be sure to indicate in advance how many DVDs you would like to purchase. We will mail the DVD(s) along with your pictures to you about 1-2 weeks after the baptism. What information is printed in the bulletin? We will print the names of parents, grandparents and siblings in the Sunday baptism bulletin. Please be certain to type or print the information correctly for us on the baptism registration form (available in the church office). If we do not receive this information, we will not be able to print your information in the baptism bulletin. Our Baptism Scripture Suggestions: Please review the list of scripture verses below. You may also call 330-757-1547 or email [email protected] if you want an alternate scripture verse. |
Baptism is one of the most significant parts of our worship. Here at PPC, we baptize both adults and children. In both cases, God is at work in the lives of the one being baptized. Baptism of Adults When an adult is baptized, they are making a profession of faith claiming that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of the life. Baptism is just the beginning of a person’s faith journey. PPC walks alongside people who make this significant step in their life, helping them grow as followers of Christ. If you are interested in knowing more about Jesus Christ or would like to be baptized, please contact the church office (330) 757-1547 or [email protected] and you will be put in contact with one of our pastors. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of baptism?
Baptism is a visible sign of membership in the family of God. o Baptism is an act in which God claims us as His own. The moment our Lord’s face broke the surface of the Jordan River, the heavens opened and the voice of the heavenly Father spoke: " This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:16). Is it Biblical to baptize infants and children? In all of God’s covenants with his professing people, from the earliest times, infants and children have been included. Behold, I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you (Gen. 17:4,7). When Moses was about to take leave of the people, he addressed them as standing before the Lord their God, with their little ones, and their wives, to enter into the covenant with the LORD their God (Deut. 29:10-12). When we come to the New Testament we find the same interesting feature. The promise, it is declared, is to us and our children, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39). They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized (Acts 16:31-33). Why is the baby taken from the parents’ arms to be baptized? The act of removing the baby from the arms of the parents, along with the use of the child’s given or "Christian" name without the surname shows the uniqueness of that child before God, acknowledging that he or she has a separate worth even apart from parents. Why do you ask the parents the name of the child? In the rite of baptism, the child is introduced to his or her new family of faith. This is also a declaration that God knows the child by name and is "intimately acquainted" (Psalm 139) with the young one, holding his or her future in his hands. To what is the parent agreeing by bringing the child for baptism at Poland Presbyterian? Parents agree to make their home a training ground in the Christian faith, trusting that one day their child will make his or her own profession of faith in Jesus Christ, usually in the early teen years in the rite of confirmation. Further, by asking the congregation to stand and promise to their child, they are promising to bring their child to Sunday School and to other ministries at PPC which teach them about Christian faith. Why does the Presbyterian church not have "sponsors" or "godparents" who stand with the parents at baptism? The emphasis in our Presbyterian baptismal covenant is upon the entire congregation as the people of God promising to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). The entire community of faith promises to participate in the Christian nurture of the child. Parents may arrange to have friends or family members to stand in for them as Christian nurturers if, for whatever reasons, there comes a point where they are not able to fulfill this role. |
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Deuteronomy 6:5-6 : Psalm 1:1-3 :
1 Samuel 1:27-28 : Psalm 91:1-2 Psalm 139:14-16 : Proverbs 2:1-5 : Proverbs 3:1-4 : Proverbs 3:5-6 Matthew 5:14-16 : Matthew 6:33-34 : Luke 10:27 : John 15:16 Romans 5:1-5 : Romans 8:38-39 : Romans 12:11-13 Romans 12:15-18 I Corinthians 6:19-20 : I Corinthians 13:4-7 : II Corinthians 5:17-18 : II Corinthians 12:9 : Ephesians 2:8 : Ephesians 4:4-6 : Ephesians 4:15 Ephesians 5:1-2 : Philippians 1:6 : Philippians 1:9-11 : Philippians 4:4 Philippians 4:8 : Colossians 3:8-10 : Colossians 3:12-15 : Colossians 3:17 I Thessalonians 5:18 : I Thessalonians 5:23-24 : I Timothy 4:12 : I Timothy 6:11-12 : II Timothy 2:15 : II Timothy 3:16-17 : Hebrews 12:1-2 2 Peter 1:5-7 : 1 John 4:16 |
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