Life as a Sacrament | Baptism | Communion
“Getting your imagination capturedis almost the whole of life.”
– words of Matthew Arnold
Imagine!
a few drops of water – a cleansing event! a sip of wine and a crumb of bread – a filling feast!
And yet, in the context of our Christian family, that is what happens as we celebrate
the sacraments. They are but brief glimpses of what life, fully-lived, might be. They
energize us with new strength, fill us with great joy, and send us out to be the Church.
Certainly, there are other times when we experience a sense of the holy. We hear great
music. We help a friend learn. We study what our faith means. We sit with a sick loved
one or friend. We share our time and resources with others. We laugh with them. We
cry with them. These too are sacramental times.
For all life is holy. It bears the mark of the One who created it as an expression of love;
who gave Himself so that life would not be lost; who continues to renew it so that we
might experience life in all its rich variety.
The sacraments are signs of that love. They capture our imagination because they
lovingly lift up common elements – bread, wine, water – making them holy. In like
manner, our lives,
lifted up to the light of God’s Presence, reflect the sacredness of the Creator’s intention.
Our primary purpose as Christians is to live life as a sacrament, for we believe:
“The main business of a Christian is to go through the world turning its water into wine.”
– words of Andrew Lang
BAPTISM AS EVENT AND PROCESS
“In Baptism the Christian is born. Whether in the case of infants or adults, baptism signifies this more as a promise than as an actually fulfilled fact. The direction is indicated rather than the arrival.”
– words of Friederich Rest
The Christian Church has experienced two contrasting approaches to the Sacrament of
Holy Baptism. In the first, the sacrament is administered to a young child as the mark of
her/his beginning in the Christian life. In the second, Baptism follows the act of personal
decision. One makes the choice of being a Christian and receives the Sacrament of Holy
Baptism in response to that personal choosing.
In the United Church of Christ and at Rutherford Congregational Church, we practice
infant Baptism. We do this because of what we believe about God. God, not we, is the
One who chooses. The stress in this sacramental action is on the Grace (Love) of God
and not upon the wonderful decision we have made.
This has far reaching implications. Baptism is that “event” in which the young child is
received into the care of the nurturing Christian community. By the love and caring of
parents and the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit, a “direction is indicated.” Physical
birth is celebrated in the expectation of spiritual birth.
We also practice adult Baptism (or sometimes called “believer’s Baptism) because we
believe that the sacrament is a sign of God’s grace no matter what one’s age. Sessions of
interpretation and planning are held with the minister prior to celebrating baptism.
The “event” points toward the “process.” God is never finished with us. Each day of
our existence is the working out of the meaning of our Baptism. That’s why Baptism is
administered in the setting of a worshipping community. As we rejoice in the promises
of God for this life, we renew and reclaim these same promises for ourselves.
PREPARING FOR BAPTISM AT RUTHERFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
“Apart from the context of a corporate
church, a sacrament is meaningless, if
not, more extremely, a superstitious
piece of magic.”
– words of Massey H. Shapherd, Jr.
Baptism is an individual event . . . Baptism is a community-centered event. It is both
of these and much more.
When a child is born, a family assumes the awesome role of heritage bearers. No
matter how casual we are in relationship to the Church, the event of birth prompts
the personal search for a renewal of roots. So, our children help to raise us!
At Rutherford Congregational Church, we offer guidelines for helping you and your
child/children to live out the “process” of Baptism. Infants are generally baptized
at the Sunday morning Worship Service. In connection with this event, a baptismal
session of preparation for the parent(s) is held at least one week prior to the Baptism.
The parent(s) plan this baptismal session by setting an appointment with the minister
(see below for Pastor Rupright’s contact information). Baptism is also offered for
older children, youth, and adults who have never been baptized.
COMMUNION AS PRESENCE & POSSIBILITY
“In his first act (Creation), God gave me myself.
In his second act (Incarnation), God gave me
himself. And in giving me himself, he gave
me back myself.”
– words of Bernard of Clairvaux
Whatever holds deep meaning in life becomes an occasion for controversy.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Jesus our Lord instituted this Sacrament as he struggled with the meaning of his life
and impending death, and tried to share with his friends the deepest significance of
his “Presence” among them.
Just what does this “Presence” of Christ in the Holy Communion mean? Is Christ
actually there . . . symbolically there . . . memorially there? The conflicting streams
in church history are carried within such questions.
At Rutherford Congregational Church and in the United Church of Christ, we offer
an “open” Communion Table . This affirms that many meanings are gathered about
this event. Through it, we celebrate God’s Presence in our life which is mediated to us
through this sacramental moment of sharing.
In the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, we receive Christ as a renewing Presence in our
midst, who points the Way to possibility in our tomorrows. Has there been failure?
New strength is offered! Has there been despair? New hope is offered! Has there been
drifting? New sails are set!
The Benedictine monk and psychologist, David H.K. Steindl-Rast points to the mystery
of Holy Communion through this insight:
“Neither light nor meaning can be had
‘for keeps.’ Both must constantly be
received from their source.”
When we come to Christ’s table, we are not bearing witness to what we have figured out
about life, but rather, we are simply acknowledging Jesus as the renewing Source of light,
life, and meaning for our daily living.
RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION AT RUTHERFORD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
At Rutherford Congregational Church, we generally celebrate Holy Communion
on the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise announced. We also celebrate
Communion on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.
Our church practices “Open Communion,” meaning that all those who believe in
Christ and seek to follow Christ’s way are invited to partake in our Savior’s Supper.
We use unfermented grape juice so that all people who wish to receive can do so.
We are also convinced that our oneness in Christ is most fully celebrated when
families are able to share in this event together. Therefore, under the guidance of
their parent(s), children are welcome to participate in Holy Communion.
To plan a baptism or receive Communion beyond the church setting, please
contact Pastor Ronald E Verblaauw: 201-438-6324 (church); 201-838-4254 (cell
phone); pastorronverb56@gmail.com.
