“So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you,
and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Baptism is a gift from God – a promise that the Holy Spirit will direct, steer and support a person in their life in Christ. It is into this trinity of God, Son and Holy Spirit that we baptize. It is also into a community of faith that we baptize. The Lutheran church teaches and believes that baptism is central to our identity in Jesus Christ. No one is too young or too old to be baptized!
We have a tradition that sponsors (also referred to as godparents) bring forward a person for baptism. If this person is an infant, we carry them. If they are a young person, we lead them. If they are an adult, we take their hand, saying “I am with you in this journey”.
We are happy to baptize you and/or your child or children. The pastor will meet with you before the baptism to answer any questions you might have and get to know you better. This can happen in the pastor’s office at Trinity or in your home. Please contact the church office to make an appointment with Pastor and book a date for the baptismal ceremony.
Church Coordinator:
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Phone: 519-432-4832
Here is the order of worship for baptism; it is the promise to lead a Godly life that we make as we receive this gift:
Pastor prays: God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word, God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God’s mission for the life of the world.
Sponsors for each candidate, in turn, present the candidates: I present (name) for baptism.
a) Pastor addresses candidates who are able to answer for themselves: (name), called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to be baptized into Christ?
Each candidate responds: I do.
Pastor says: As you come to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities:
- to live among God’s faithful people,
- to bring them to the word of God and the holy supper,
- teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,
- place in their hands the holy scriptures,
- to proclaim Christ through word and deed,
- to care for others and the world God made,
- and to work for justice and peace.
b) Pastor addresses parents or others who bring for baptism children who are not able to answer for themselves: Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have (name) baptized into Christ?
Each parent responds: I do.
Pastor continues: As you bring (name) to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities:
- to live with them among God’s faithful people,
- bring them to the word of God and the holy supper,
- teach them the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,
- place in their hands the holy scriptures,
- and nurture them in faith and prayer,
- so that your children may learn to trust God,
- proclaim Christ through word and deed,
- care for others and the world God made,
- and work for justice and peace.
Do you promise to help your children grow in the Christian faith and life?
Each parent responds: I do.
Pastor addresses the sponsors: Sponsors, do you promise to nurture these persons in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God’s Spirit, and to help them live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church?
Each sponsor responds: I do.
The pastor then will address the gathered community in Christ and ask them to support and pray for those about to be baptized. This step is most important. It is through community that we learn about Jesus’ summation of the all the commandments, laws and expectations: That you love God, and love your neighbour. It is in community that we learn about both parts of that call to love. It is in community that we especially get to do the the 2nd part – loving neighbour.