Sacraments

Sacraments

Traditionally, Protestant churches have practiced two sacraments.  Grace continues in this tradition.

Baptism is the sign by which a person enters into the community of God’s people (the church).  At baptism, the Holy Spirit enters God’s child and helps him/her grow in all areas of their life.  Grace Church baptizes infants with the understanding that their parents will raise them in the faith until (typically around 8th grade) they go through a decision-making process (called Confirmation) which will help them decide if they want to make the Christian faith their own.  If a young person chooses to be confirmed, they reaffirm the baptismal vows their parents made for them and pledge themselves to walking as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Grace also encourages all adults who have a relationship with Jesus Christ to be baptized.

Holy Communion is the other sacrament which Grace practices.  During Communion, we remember Christ’s sacrifice for the taking away of sin.  This is also a time of celebration as we acknowledge that Christ’s work enables us to be in relationship with God and with each other.  We praise Jesus for his willingness to die in our place and anxiously await the day when we will meet him face to face.

The practice of Grace Church is to allow children to commune when their parent(s)/ guardian(s) decide they are ready and after a period of pastoral instruction.