Baptism

The most basic element of our faith is that we believe God makes the first move.  God is the initiator and we are the responding ones.  We see this in Creation, in Jesus, in the Bible, in the Second Coming and we believe in the sacraments.  God is moving toward us as His beloved.

In baptism, we believe God makes the first move with our children.  Being a covenant God, He makes promises in the lives of children; promises of mercy and forgiveness, of the covenant of salvation, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  Baptism is not a means of salvation; it is a promise of salvation through the gift of God’s grace.  It is, as we like to say, an “engagement.”  Just like any engaged couple who plans on getting married, there is still a lot of work to be done.

In baptism, God promises to be active and working in a child’s life.  We as a church respond to God’s promises by committing ourselves to help raise the child in an environment committed to the way of Jesus Christ.

If you are interested in baptism...contact the church office at 616-772-2418 for more information.

Communion

In Communion we celebrate the real presence of Jesus.  We believe that the bread and cup become more than just symbols of the gospel; they become spiritual nourishment for our faith.   We celebrate the sign and seal of this gift of grace with three specific words.  Remembrance . . . Communion . . . Hope. 

We remember what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
We commune with that same Jesus who is alive.
We live in the hope of his coming again.