Our Sacraments

Baptism

Thank you for your interest in infant baptism at First Presbyterian Church. We are happy to provide some practical guidelines that we hope you will find helpful.

Considerations for Parents

Normally, at least one parent should be a member and currently on the roll at First Presbyterian Church.

First-time parents are asked to attend the Baptism Class at least a month before their requested baptism date (please contact our office for class dates and baptism dates).

Parents who have previously attended the Baptism Class and are requesting baptism for a second or subsequent child are not required to attend the class again. Rather, one of our pastors, or the pastor over their Congregational Community, will meet with them informally.

We will do our best to honor requested baptism dates and service time preferences in accordance with these guidelines and in the order in which requests are received.

To schedule a time, please contact our office at 308-382-0930 or [email protected].

Why do we baptize infants?

We believe that baptism is:

  • A sign and seal of God’s covenant promise to grant the benefits signified by it to all who exercise faith in the redemptive work of Christ alone;
  • To be applied to a child of believing parents and marks entrance into the covenant community.

We do not believe that baptism creates in, or confers the grace of salvation to, any child (or adult). It does not wash away sins. Rather, salvation comes only through trusting by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.


Holy Communion

In Communion, we are made one with Christ and Christ’s body, the church. In the Presbyterian service of Holy Communion, participants usually pass the bread and wine from person to person—a symbol of each person serving as a priest (servant) to the other person. We believe that each Christian has direct access to God through worship, prayer, personal confession, and the study of Scripture.

Communion is generally celebrated at First Presbyterian Church on the first Sunday of each month at worship and also on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday (the Thursday before Easter), Easter, Christmas Eve and at other special services throughout the year.