THEOLOGY - continued

Covenant, 3rd paragraph - continued

Also of major importance in the worship services of The United Church are the sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism. The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion (we use several names for the sacrament) is a time when we reflect upon, and experience, the risen Christ within our lives. The Supper is best understood as a supper shared in the presence of Christ. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper monthly and at other appropriate times. We celebrate it in a variety of ways. Typically we share cubed bread and individual cups as they are passed down the pews, but at other times we use a common loaf, dipping the bread in the cup when we come forward; we use matzo as we sit around tables; and other such variations. How it is served and what is served is not as important as receiving Holy Communion in fellowship with God and God’s family.

Baptism is a central affirmation of God’s love in our lives. The water used in baptism is a sign or seal of God’s covenant and the grace of new life as it is given to each of God’s children. We believe our salvation is found in the “baptism” of Jesus, which is in his death, burial and rising. Our baptism is a uniting with the Risen Christ. Like the Lord’s Supper we believe it can be administered in a variety of ways. We practice both infant and adult baptism. We also practice both sprinkling and immersion. Again, when it is administered and how it is administered is not as important as accepting baptism as God’s seal of love upon us.