St. Mark's

The Lord Jesus commands Holy Baptism for infants, children, and adults (Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:38-39).

THROUGH HOLY BAPTISM…

• God makes us His children and heirs (Titus 3:5-7).
• Infants are reborn and given saving faith (John 3:5-7; Titus 3:5).
• God offers us forgiveness of sins (Psalm 51:5; Acts 2:38; 22:16).
• God delivers us from death and the devil (Romans 6:3-4).
• God gives us eternal salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).

PLEASE UNDERSTAND…

• The responsibilities of parents and godparents do not end at baptism…they begin!
• The child should be brought to church and Sunday school so that he or she may continue to grow in the Christian faith (2 Timothy 3:14-15; Acts 2:42).
• Only through the hearing of God’s Word can faith begin and be kept alive (2 Timothy 3:14-15; John 8:31-32).

Pictures/Videos During Service:
Because this is a Service in God’s House, please inform your guests that pictures should not be taken during the Service. There will be ample time following the Service for pictures. A video camera may be set up discretely in the balcony using available lighting.

Rejoice in the promise of Jesus!
“He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).

Having sponsors (godparents) is neither commanded nor forbidden in the Bible but is a sound Lutheran practice to be encouraged. Normally, sponsors are baptized Christians who confess the Lutheran faith expressed in the Apostles’ Creed and as taught in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism. If you feel that there are special circumstances regarding “non-Lutheran” sponsors, please speak with Pastor Fenker. Other Christians may serve as witnesses.

If you choose to have sponsors, they should be at church 20 minutes before the service so that Pastor Fenker can explain to them the significance of sponsorship. Furthermore, parents must schedule a meeting with Pastor so he can explain the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and plan for the Service.

Parents are to choose sponsors prayerfully with their child’s spiritual welfare in mind. The reason is very apparent in the promises that they are making for your child.

REPONSIBILITES OF GODPARENTS/SPONSORS

During the Divine Service, sponsors make the following solemn promises…

• To pray for the child continually.
• To remind the child of the importance of Baptism. An excellent way of doing this is to mark the date of the Baptism on your calendar and send your Godchild a Christian greeting card every year to celebrate his or her Baptism Anniversary.
• To support the child in his or her ongoing instruction in the Lutheran faith by making sure the child is attending Sunday school and church, reading the Bible, and learning Luther’s Small Catechism which is based on the Bible.
• To encourage him or her to receive faithfully the Lord’s Supper after Confirmation.
• To be examples of a holy life of faith in Christ and love for neighbor.