As with most protestant Christians, Presbyterians celebrate two Sacraments as taught by Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible. Our general belief is that if Jesus instructed us to do a certain thing, then it qualifies as being a Sacrament. Other ordinances of the church, such as the ordaining of leaders, marriages, funerals, etc. are important occasions of worship, but we do not consider them to be especially instituted by Christ.

BAPTISM

Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ. Jesus through his own baptism identified himself with sinners in order to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus in his own baptism was attested Son by the Father and was anointed with the Holy Spirit to undertake the way of the servant manifested in his sufferings, death and resurrection. Jesus the risen Lord assured his followers of his continuing presence and power and commissioned them "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19, NRSV). The disciples were empowered by the outpouring of the Spirit to undertake a life of service and to be an inclusive worshipping community, sharing life in which love, justice, and mercy abounded.

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.

Baptism enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God's redeeming grace offered to all people. Baptism is God's gift of grace and also God's summons to respond to that grace. Baptism calls to repentance, to faithfulness, and to discipleship. Baptism gives the Church its identity and commissions the Church for ministry in the world.

Presbyterians practice both "infant" and "believer's" baptism and utilize pouring, sprinkling, or immersion as the mode of application.

THE LORD'S SUPPER

The Lord's Supper (also known as Communion) 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.

In his last meal before his death, Jesus took and shared with his disciples the bread and wine, speaking of them as his body and blood, signs of the new covenant. He commended breaking bread and sharing a cup to remember and proclaim his death.

On the day of his resurrection, the risen Jesus made himself known to his followers in the breaking of bread. He continued to show himself to believers, by blessing and breaking bread, by preparing, serving, and sharing common meals.

The Church in the New Testament devoted itself to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to prayers, and to the common meal. The apostle Paul delivered to the Church the tradition he had received from the risen Lord, who commanded that his followers share the bread and cup as a remembrance and a showing forth of his death until he comes. The New Testament describes the meal as a participation in Christ with one another in the expectation of the Kingdom and as a foretaste of the messianic banquet.

In the Lord's Supper, the Church, gathered for worship, blesses God for all that God has done through creation, redemption, and sanctification; gives thanks that God is working in the world and in the Church in spite of human sin; and gratefully anticipates the fulfillment of the Kingdom Christ proclaimed, and offers itself in obedient service to God's reign.

At the Lord's Table, the Church is renewed and empowered by the memory of Christ's life, death, resurrection, and promise to return; sustained by Christ's pledge of undying love and continuing presence with God's people; and sealed in God's covenant of grace through partaking of Christ's self-offering.

In remembering, believers receive and trust the love of Christ present to them and to the world; they manifest the reality of the covenant of grace in reconciling and being reconciled; and they proclaim the power of Christ's reign for the renewal of the world in justice and in peace.

Presbyterians practice many different "styles" of the Lord's Supper. That most commonly used in our fellowship is where the bread and individual cups are passed to the congregation while they are seated in their pews. The sacrament is for all who trust in Jesus as Lord and visitors are encouraged to partake. The Supper is generally shared on the first Sunday of the month, unless the liturgical calendar used by the Church has designated a more appropriate date.