Baptism

Baptism at Our Savior’s

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 in our community and the wider world.  Baptism is a significant part of our faith journey as we come from the baptismal waters to live a new life as a child of God.  Baptism is one of two things we call sacraments in the Lutheran Church (the other is Holy Communion.)

At Our Savior’s, we baptize people of any age.  Most of our baptisms are infants and young children, but we find baptism to be special at any stage in life.

baptism

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. ( Baptismal Covenant and Faith Practices from the ELCA )

Steps to Get You Started

Schedule the Baptism– The first step is to either call the church office at 262-367-6000 or by emailing to [email protected] to schedule the baptism.  Most Sundays work for a Baptism, but it is best to have a few weeks’ notice.  After we secure a date, we will send you a simple form to help gather information to prepare the service.

Baptism Meeting – A meeting with one of our friendly pastors will usually take place prior to 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, grandparent, or sponsor. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Baptism

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 the word of God. 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 – affirmation of baptism is also known as Confirmation.)

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 Our Savior’s 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 do not have a church home, please consider Our Savior’s as your church family.  We are friendly and welcoming, and have a wonderful family atmosphere!

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!

One or more persons of your choosing will stand with you during the baptism. Sponsors have a calling to encourage the person being baptized in Christian faith. Sponsors can be any family member or friend who is a baptized Christian.

We encourage baptisms to be performed with the congregation present, as baptism is entry into a community of faith. During a baptism, the people of Our Savior’s make promises to love, support, and pray for the person being baptized. Contact the church if you would like to talk to a Pastor about a request for a private baptism.

Our pastors are glad to provide baptism on an emergency basis. In cases of a life-threatening 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.

Baptism is not a “one and done” event. Baptism is 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 that 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