Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ’s Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.
As Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptizer, so Christians have begun their journey of faith by following in his footsteps. Therefore, in joyful obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
You can explore the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on pages 299-311 in the Book of Common Prayer.
What if I’m interested in Baptism for myself and/or my child?
Raising children is a high calling. We all seek the support of friends, extended family, and other resources in order to meet the needs and challenges of parenthood.
One step on this journey is the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Baptism is one of life’s most important decisions and joyous occasions. It is also a time for prayer, planning, preparation, and growth.
The clergy at Saint John’s want this special occasion to be meaningful. Wherever you are on your own spiritual path, we want to be there to walk beside you.
And as your children embark on their faith journeys, we want to provide them a nurturing place to explore their relationship with God.
The Book of Common Prayer recommends five dates for Baptisms… The Great Vigil of Easter, Pentecost Sunday, All Saints’ Day, The First Sunday after the Epiphany (which celebrates the Baptism of Jesus), and when the Bishop visits. Other dates may be scheduled as pastoral need arises, but these dates, proscribed by the Prayer Book, bear special significance to Baptism on our calendar.
In keeping with the practice of the ancient church, and because The Episcopal Church welcomes all Baptized Christians to receive Holy Communion, children who are baptized may receive their communion the day they are baptized with consent of their parents.
Moreover, if you have been baptized in another Christian denomination we will recognize you as a baptized member. Simply let us know the denomination and date of your baptism.
For more information, contact the Reverend Sean Ferrell, Rector at 217-344-1924 or at rector@chapelsjd.org.
