Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool. --Psalm 132:7

Baptism is one of two sacraments in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The following information [based on the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and policies of the First Presbyterian Church of Las Vegas] has been prepared to answer some of your questions about Baptism. Download our baptism brochure.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM?
"In Baptism, we participate in Jesus' death and resurrection. In Baptism, we die to what separates us from God and are raised to newness of life in Christ. Baptism points us back to the grace of God expressed in Jesus Christ, who died for us and who was raised for us. Baptism points us forward to that same Christ who will fulfill God's purpose in God's promised future." W-2.3002

WHAT DOES BAPTISM MEAN?
As circumcision was the sign and symbol of inclusion in God's grace and covenant with Israel, so Baptism is the sign and symbol of inclusion in God's grace and covenant with the church. As an identifying mark, Baptism signifies

• the faithfulness of God,

• the washing away of sin,

• rebirth,

• putting on the fresh garment of Christ,

• being sealed by God's Spirit,

• adoption into the covenant family of the church,

• resurrection and illumination in Christ. W-2.30   04

IS BAPTISM FROM OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES RECOGNIZED BY THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH?
"The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes all Baptisms with water and in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit administered by other Christian churches." W-2.3010

HOW MANY TIMES CAN I BE BAPTIZED?
"Baptism is received only once ... God's faithfulness needs no renewal." W-2.3007

WHAT PROMISES ARE MADE?
"Those desiring the Sacrament of Baptism for their children or for themselves shall make vows that:

• profess their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior,

• renounce evil and affirm their reliance on God's grace,

• declare their intention to participate actively and responsibly in the worship and mission of the church,

• declare their intention to provide for the Christian nurture of their child.

ADULT BAPTISM
"The Baptism of those who enter the covenant upon their own profession of faith witnesses to the truth that God's gift of grace calls for fulfillment in a response of faithfulness." W-2.3008c

When an adult is baptized they become a member of the congregation and are expected to attend worship and join the body of Christ in serving our Lord.

BAPTISM OF CHILDREN
"The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God's love claims people before they are able to respond in faith. " W-2.3008b God's love and claim on us is not dependent on our ability to fully comprehend it.

Responsibilities:  "...ordinarily the parent(s) or one(s) rightly exercising parental responsibility shall be an active member of the congregation."

"Those presenting children for Baptism shall promise to provide nurture and guidance within the community of faith until the child is ready to make a personal profession of faith and assume the responsibility of active church membership." (W-2.3014)

Nurture the child for receiving the Lord's Supper. The baptized child may participate in the Lord's Supper with the permission of his/her parents or those exercising parental responsibility. The Session and pastors are available for guidance and support. When the child is ready to receive communion, the Session should recognize this occasion. W-2.4011a-b, W-4.2002.

Please contact the church office if you would like to have your child baptized and one of our pastors will arrange a time to meet with you and schedule your baptism.

WHAT IS CONFIRMATION?
When a child is baptized, the parents make the promises for him or her. When that child reaches the 9th grade, he or she may choose to take the annual "Confirmation Class" and become a confirmed member of the church. The child will then have the opportunity to confirm for him or herself the promises made on his or her behalf at Baptism. Upon confirmation the young person will then have the right to vote in congregational meetings, and to serve as an ordained elder or deacon if selected.

If you have other questions about Baptism, please do not hesitate to contact one of the pastors.

Quotes taken from the Directory for Worship contained in the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER: 1 Cor. 11:23-27 NRSV

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, [24] and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." [25] In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." [26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. [27] Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.

The following information [based on the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and policies of the First Presbyterian Church of Las Vegas] has been prepared to answer some of your questions about the Lord's Supper. Download our communion brochure.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER?
The Lord's Supper is the sign and seal of eating and drinking in communion with the crucified and risen Lord. During His earthly ministry, Jesus shared meals with His followers as a sign of community and acceptance and as an occasion for His own ministry. He celebrated Israel's feasts of covenant commemoration. W-2.4001

In the Lord's Supper we

• bless God for all that God has done and is doing in the world,

• remember the death, resurrection, and exultation of our Lord,

• are renewed and empowered by the promises of God,

• are sealed in the covenant of grace,

• are united with the faithful in heaven and on earth, and

• are nourished in order to become what God intends us to be.

ISN'T THE LORD'S SUPPER A GRIM REMINDER OF CHRIST'S DEATH?
No, it is actually a foretaste of the heavenly banquet to which we are all invited at the end of time. It is not a meal celebrated in memory of a dead Lord, but a celebration of the risen and exulted Christ. "The New Testament describes the meal as a participation in Christ and with one another in the expectation of the Kingdom and as a foretaste of the messianic banquet." W-2.4002

DO WE EAT AND DRINK THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST?
Presbyterians do not believe we eat and drink the actual body of Christ. Rather the elements are a reminder of the sacrifice He made for us. The roots of the meal go back to the Passover, when the lamb was slaughtered and blood placed on the door posts so that the angel of death would pass over the houses of the Israelites [Exodus 12]. Jesus became the paschal lamb who frees us from sin and death.

WHO CAN RECEIVE COMMUNION?
The invitation to the Lord's Supper is extended to all who have been baptized, remembering that access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love. In preparing to receive Christ, in this Sacrament, the believer is to confess sin and brokenness, to seek reconciliation with God and neighbor, and to trust in Jesus Christ for cleansing and renewal. Even one who doubts or whose trust is wavering may come to the Table in order to be assured of God's love and grace in Christ Jesus. Baptized children who are being nurtured and instructed in the significance of the invitation to the Table and meaning of their response are invited to receive the Lord's Supper recognizing that their understanding of participation will vary according to their maturity. W-2.4011

WHO DETERMINES WHEN COMMUNION CAN BE SERVED?
The Session is responsible for authorizing all observances of the Lord's Supper in the life of a particular church and shall ensure regular and frequent celebration of the sacrament, in no case less than quarterly. W.-2.4012

CAN ANYONE SERVE COMMUNION?
The Book of Order requires that communion be administered by an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament. And in this church, normally elders and deacons serve the elements to the congregation.

IN WHAT WAYS CAN I PREPARE FOR THE SACRAMENT?
It is appropriate to approach the sacrament in a spirit of prayer and commitment. It is also important to consider changes in our lives which need to take place in order to be what God expects us to be. The Directory for Worship also reminds us that Coming to the Lord's Table the faithful are actively to seek reconciliation in every instance of conflict or division between them and their neighbors. W-2.4007

CAN OTHER ELEMENTS BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE BREAD AND WINE?
No, although the session is to determine what form of the fruit of the vine is to be used. In making this decision the session should be informed by the biblical precedent, the history of the church, ecumenical usage, local custom, and concerns for health and the conscience of the members of the congregation. Whenever wine is used in the Lord's Supper unfermented grape juice should always be clearly identified and served also as an alternative for those who prefer it. W-3.3611

WHY DON'T WE USE REAL WINE?
In this church, the Session has thought it prudent to use unfermented grape juice in order that all might participate. However, it is referred to as [unfermented] "wine" or "the cup."

HOW MANY WAYS DO WE TAKE COMMUNION?
There are several ways in which worshipers may be invited to participate in the sacrament in this church:

• By passing the trays of bread and wine to those seated in the pews.
  Worshipers eat the bread when it 
  is served and hold the wine until all have been served.
  This is symbolic of the individual and corporate nature of the sacrament.

• By coming forward to receive the elements. In this way the people of God symbolically come to the table.

• By Intinction. This may be done by coming forward or by remaining seated. The bread is torn and dipped into the cup.
  This way both elements are consumed together.

• There may be other methods of communion as directed by the Session.

HOW OFTEN CAN IT BE OFFERED?
The Lord's Supper is to be observed on the Lord's Day, in the regular place of worship, and in a manner suitable to the particular occasion and local congregation. It is appropriate to celebrate the Lord's Supper as often as each Lord's Day. It is to be celebrated regularly and frequently enough to be recognized as integral to the Service for the Lord's Day. W-2.4009

It may also be celebrated at other times with prior permission of the Session. In this church, the regular celebration of the Lord's Supper occurs on the FIRST SUNDAY of each month.