Baptisms in Our Church
At the Congregational Church of La Jolla, we joyfully make the sacrament of baptism available to persons of all ages. Baptism is a symbol of both new life and adoption into the family of God. As such it is expected that it will occur in the Sunday service, and, through liturgy and welcome, include everyone present in worship.
When the person baptized is an infant or young child, it is not a requirement that either parent be a member of our church. We do ask that non-members be able to affirm our congregational covenant (see About Us page). There is also an expectation that the child be brought up in a Christian congregation. Because of this, church membership will be discussed with the family of the baptismal candidate.Adults and youth are also candidates for baptism, as long as they have not been baptized previously. Teenagers and adults generally make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ at the time of their baptism.
All baptisms require at least one counseling session with the pastor to discuss the nature of faith, the sacrament, and church membership. Please contact the church to make an appointment.
The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion)
in Our Church
in Our Church
Christians believe that certain rituals are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace. Such rituals are called sacraments. Protestants believe that there are two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Baptism is how we are welcomed into the family of God, and is experienced only once in each individual Christian's life. The Lord's Supper (or Holy Communion) is a rite of nurture, and is repeated many times throughout the life of a Christian.In the Lord's Supper, we recall the meal shared by Jesus and his closest followers on the night before the crucifixion. In this meal, Jesus took bread, and, after giving thanks, shared it with his disciples, saying, "This is my body, given for you; eat this in remembrance of me." After supper he took the wine and shared it with them, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
In the Congregational Church of La Jolla, we generally celebrate the Lord's Supper on the first Sunday of each month, using a simple Reformed liturgy in which the congregation is invited to the supper, the words of Jesus are repeated, a prayer of confession is said, thanks is given for the bread and the wine (unfermented grape juice), and the presence of the Holy Spirit invoked.
All who believe in Jesus are welcome to receive the supper in our church, regardless of their denomination; children are also welcome to receive at the discretion of their parents. The elements are distributed to the congregation in the pews, and we all partake together to celebrate our unity in Christ. After the bread and cup are received, the Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29-32) is usually said or sung.
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