Your Child’s Baptism at

First Presbyterian Church

LaGrange, Georgia

Before the Date of the Service

1. Choose two or more dates several weeks in advance.  Phone the church office (706-884-4064) and discuss the dates with the Office Manager or Pastor.  We will always try to accommodate a baptism date and service that fits with family plans, guests, and so on.  We may advise choosing one date over another to avoid creating an overly busy service.  Baptisms on major Christian holidays are discouraged. 

2. Baptisms at the 8:30 a.m. service are the easiest for us to accommodate.

3. The Church Session—the board of elders—will formally approve your baptism at its next scheduled meeting. 

4. Be prepared to name a church elder to assist in the service.  We will select an elder, should you have no preference.

5. Be prepared to meet with the pastor for approximately 15 minutes to discuss baptism, parents’ responsibilities, and the actual service.

About the Service

1. Come to the minister’ office approximately 15 minutes before the service for last minute instructions.

2. On the day of baptism you, your family and friends may sit anywhere in the sanctuary that you wish.  Try to plan ahead of time who will be standing up with you for the baptismal service.  You may ask anyone you wish to stand with you.

3. Don’t move to the front of the church at the beginning of the baptismal service.  Wait until after the opening words by the pastor.  Following these, the elder will invite you to come forward.

4. Stand facing the congregation with your back to the chancel steps. 

5. You need not bring a copy of the service or any books to the front with you.  Bring only your baby.

6. Arrange ahead of time for someone to take photographs following the service.  These mementoes will prove useful in the future as you tell your child the story of his or her baptism.  Before you leave the church collect copies of the daily bulletin and the baptismal certificate which can be used to remember the baptism with your child.

7. The congregation will recite the Apostles’ Creed during the service.  If you do not know this creed by memory don’t worry.  Simply stand respectfully during this ritual.

 Following the Service

1. The baptism of a young child entails a commitment by both congregation and parents to nurture that child so he or she will be able and willing to make the same affirmation of faith that we have made on his or her behalf.  This involves helping the child to realize that he or she has been baptized.  It is also our responsibility to provide Christian Education and fellowship for our baptized children until they take responsibility for their own Christian lives.