Sacraments

Holy Communion
Holy Communion (or the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper) is the Sacrament  
that celebrates the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus often shared meals with his followers as a sign of community and acceptance.  In his last meal before his death, Jesus took and shared with his disciples the bread and wine, speaking of them as his body and blood, signs of a new relationship, urging all who would follow to regularly share in this meal.  As we partake of the bread and the cup we commemorate and participate in union with God and fellowship with one another.  As well, we are strengthened to love and serve God, one another and our neighbors near and far. 

The invitation to the Lord’s Supper is not limited to any particular tradition or denomination but is offered to all who trust and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Access to the Table is not a right conferred upon the worthy, but a privilege given to the undeserving who come in faith, repentance, and love.  In preparing to receive Christ in this Sacrament, we confess our sin and brokenness, seek reconciliation with God and neighbor, and trust in Jesus Christ for cleansing and renewal.  Even those who doubt or whose trust wavers may come to the Table in order to be assured of God’s love and grace in Jesus Christ. 

At Flossmoor Community Church we celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month and at other special worship services throughout the year.  We honor different traditions as we receive Holy Communion in different ways.  When we come forward and dip the bread in the cup (intinction) we symbolize our need to actively respond to and receive God’s grace in Jesus Christ.  When we remain seated in the pews we symbolize that Christ’s grace comes to us where and as we are.  Both means of receiving the Lord’s Supper express an important aspect of our faith.

Baptism
Baptism is the Sacrament of entrance to the community of faith. At Flossmoor Community Church we baptize the children of church members as well as adults on their profession of faith in Jesus Christ.  Infants are baptized as a sign of God’s love and as recognition of their welcome into the church family.  What better way to show God’s unconditional love than to baptize a newborn baby who cannot yet understand the profound love of Jesus Christ?  As children grow into young people they are better equipped to make a personal decision to follow Christ.  We invite them to confirm their baptism following an intense confirmation program during their ninth grade year. 

Baptism is celebrated when the community gathers for corporate worship.  Because baptism is an act of the community welcoming the child or the adult into God’s family, we do not hold private family baptisms.  FCC guidelines include:

• The pastor approves all baptisms.
• At least one of the infant’s parents must be an active member of FCC.  On occasion, member grandparents may sponsor a grandchild’s baptism provided that the child’s parents are active members in another church.
• Before each infant baptism, parents meet with a pastor to discuss the theology of baptism and parental obligations of raising a baptized child. Baptism conversations with the pastor are held at the church the week prior to the baptism.
• Adult baptism generally occurs at the conclusion of the 9th grade Confirmation class or the Inquirer’s Class.    

Contact Brooke Parry at the church office to arrange for a baptism.