Through the sharing of bread and the cup, we remember that Jesus shared meals with his followers during his earthly ministry...

Sacraments

The Presbyterian Church observes two sacraments in worship: The Lord's Supper (also called Holy Communion) and Baptism.

The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper takes place the first Sunday of each February, April, June, August, October, and December, and on Thursday evening of Holy Week. It is the sacrament that remembers the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples on the night before his death. Through the sharing of bread and the cup, we remember that Jesus shared meals with his followers during his earthly ministry and that he promises to be with us as well. This meal joins us with Christ and all believers, and it looks forward to the banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is open to all baptized Christians. Baptized children are welcome at the table, for we learn about the love of God by being included in the family meal.

Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament of inclusion, of welcome. It remembers that Jesus was baptized by John in the River Jordan as a sign of his solidarity with us. We, in our baptism, are joined to Christ and to his people, the church. A person is baptized only once, but we offer baptism for both infants and adults.

When we baptize a child, the parents confess their faith in Jesus Christ and they commit themselves to raise their child to love and serve the Lord. The baptism of an infant reminds us that the love of God is for us from the day we are born. The congregation also stands with the parents to commit themselves to make the child welcome in the family of faith.

The baptism of an adult remembers that Jesus calls all of us to become disciples, to declare our trust in him and to follow his way. In this baptism, the individual declares his or her faith in Christ. The confirmation of young teenagers is their opportunity to affirm for themselves the vows that their parents made when they were baptized as infants.

Members of First Presbyterian Church may schedule a baptism for a child by contacting Leigh Perry at lperry@fpcrichmond.org or 358-2383 or by speaking to one of the pastors. An adult who wishes to make a declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized should speak to one of the pastors and be a part of our Newcomers Class.