BAPTISMS, WEDDINGS, & FUNERALS
BAPTISMS
What is baptism?
Greetings in Christ! We as a pastoral team are excited that you are looking at baptism either for yourself or someone else here at Divine Redeemer!
Baptism is a wonderful gift where God claims His children to be His own! Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Jesus commands His followers to baptize in the Triune Name of God and promises His blessing upon all who are baptized. A baptism occurs when water is applied, and the name of our Triune God is spoken over the baptized.
Baptism is all about Jesus and where His work on the Cross (the forgiveness of sins, rescue from death, and the assurance of eternal life) is given to those who are baptized. Baptism is where God gives these wonderful blessings (along with the Holy Spirit) to His people through the water and the word spoken at baptism. Baptism is less about us and our commitment to God but more about how God promises to commit Himself to the one baptized to be their Lord and Savior. Put another way, God is the primary actor in baptism and the one who is being baptized is simply receiving God’s gifts of forgiveness, eternal life, and the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Often times we at Divine Redeemer will describe baptisms as the time when we join God’s family or when we become a part of God’s “team” because that is exactly what is taking place! This is especially helpful when talking to young children as it describes how God is making the baptized individual His own. We are brought into this wonderful Christian family through baptism! Baptism is the beginning of a life of discipleship following our Savior Jesus.
Baptism for Infants and Children
Baptism is God’s work and not ours. He is the one doing the saving, forgiving, and is the one giving His Holy Spirit. Baptism is not dependent upon our age, social status, mental capacity, or any other factor that would limit someone from receiving a baptism. Jesus says in Mark 10:14b-15: “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Jesus welcomes the little children and does not want anything to hinder them. Since baptism brings people into Christ’s Kingdom, infants and children are ideal candidates for baptism!
Baptism for Teenagers and Adults
Those who were not baptized as infants or as young children are invited to the baptismal font as well! The one who has come to faith in Christ through His Word is one who is also invited to receive the gifts that baptism offers. We at Divine Redeemer do not believe in “re-baptisms.” If someone was baptized in the Triune name of God, there is no need to be re-baptized. Any baptism done in the Christian community in the name of the Triune God is valid. Ephesians 4:5 says that we believe in “one baptism” and therefore Christians need not be re-baptized. God has already done His work of forgiveness the first time! However, if you are uncertain whether you were baptized or not, we will begin conversations to have you baptized.
Choosing Godparents/Sponsors
Although not specifically mandated by the Bible, the role of Godparents/Sponsors has played an important role in the life of the church. The role of sponsors is to support the ongoing Christian instruction for the baptized. Sponsors are making a commitment to ensure that this child is taught all about Jesus and what God has done for them. Primarily this Christian instruction occurs within the household of the baptized, but sponsors are called upon to ensure that this occurs if, Lord forbid, something would happen to the parent(s) of the baptized. Sponsors are to be those who confess the Christian faith, are to witness the baptism, and are to continue to pray, encourage, and support the baptized in their ongoing Christian instruction. They also serve as examples of those in the faith who follow Jesus in their lives.
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism from the Small Catechism
A helpful explanation that has been used for centuries teaching Christians about baptism comes from Luther’s Small Catechism.
Click here to learn more about baptism, its benefits, and how water and the Word together bring the amazing gifts of baptism:
Planning the Baptism
Try to schedule the baptism before your baby is born, otherwise please schedule it as soon as you are able to. Contact our Baptism Coordinator, Gail Arnold, in the church office, 262-367-8400, to set up the baptism. Also, if you have a preference for the pastor performing the baptism, please let us know at that time so we can check to see if they are available. We will also ask you for information for our church records and for the baptismal certificate. Because the gift of baptism is given to God’s people, we encourage families to have baptisms done during the worship services. Please note: we also encourage baptisms to be performed during non-communion services which are the 2nd and 4th Sundays in the church and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays in the gym. On the day of the baptism, please arrive no later than 20 minutes before the start of the service. A pastor will meet with you to discuss what will happen during the service. He will remind you that no pictures with flash are to be taken during the service, however, flash pictures can be taken after the service. Items - Indian Baptismal Napkin (see info below) - Candle - Certificate
Indian Baptismal Napkins
Your Indian Baptismal Napkin from Divine Redeemer: In the early days of mission work in India, Belgium nuns had brought over the beautiful art of handmade lace and embroidery. When the Indian government no longer permitted the mission work to continue, the art was handed over to PASA which was a Lutheran World Relief project in south India (Kerala). This project provided young Indian girls and widows with the opportunity to earn a living for themselves by learning how to embroider and bobbin lace to make handkerchiefs, doilies, and table runners for selling. The young girls could then postpone marriage until they were much older because they were earning a wage from this new skill. (In many eastern countries, the young girls are usually married off at the age of 12 when they finish with their formal schooling because their family cannot afford to take care of them and feed them.) These girls would become pregnant at the early age of 12 or 13 after their marriage. In providing an income for these girls with a new skill, they do not get married or start a family until they are usually 22 or 24. It is safer for the young girls and a form of birth control in southern India. Today, Divine Redeemer supports this project by purchasing baptismal napkins that young girls and single and widowed women make. We purchase the napkins from SEDA (Socio Economic Development Association) formerly PASA the Lutheran World Relief project mentioned above. All the embroidery and bobbin lace is done by hand. It is pinned to a pillow and often has 30 bobbins that are woven together and knotted. Pins hold the design in place as they progress. These women are proud of their work and even more proud when they can sell their work. They are so grateful for the support they receive from each sale. When either of our pastors at Divine Redeemer baptize a child, they use one of these handmade napkins to wipe off the water after the child is baptized. The parents are then given this napkin as a keepsake. It is our wish that as the baptized child grows up, he or she will use it at his or her wedding as a bridal napkin or handkerchief and know that they are Baptized into Jesus and the Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church and School family and marked as Christ’s own forever.
Contact Heidi Graf if you are interested in being a part of our Baptismal Ministry Outreach team.
Read more about Baptism from the LCMS.
FAQ's about Baptism from the LCMS.
WEDDINGS
Divine Redeemer is a popular site for weddings due to the buildings quaint and traditional style appearance. We get a variety of requests for weddings from member families as well as those unrelated to the congregation. Our policy is that member families get first preference but that nonmembers may be married here if the schedule permits.
The Wedding Ceremony is the spiritual union of a man and a woman who vow, before God, their friends and family, to faithfully love and cherish one another. The wedding is a worship experience in which the couple seals a covenant modeled after the covenant between Christ and His church. Every wedding shall respect scriptural principles, the customs and policies of Divine Redeemer's congregation and the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. While wedding ceremonies performed by clergy are legally binding, the primary role of the clergy is to conduct sacred worship in which a couple is joined in the eyes of God.
Below are a few guidelines to following when using Divine Redeemer as your wedding ceremony venue.
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Those wanting to be married at Divine Redeemer are expected to contact the church about dates before plans are made with the reception hall, caterers, etc. It would be best to contact the church as soon as possible following the decision to marry.
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Members of Divine Redeemer may assume they can be married at the church, but their marriage here is subject to the approval of the pastor(s). Marriage in the church is not a right, but a privilege.
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Non-member weddings will not be performed at Divine Redeemer unless approved by the Committee of Lay Eldership.
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Weddings will be added to the church calendar upon consultation with one of the pastors.
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After meeting with one of our pastors, fill out the "Wedding Information Form" below."
Wedding Information Form
(fill this out after completing the first 5 steps of "Scheduling a Wedding")
Contacts
Pastor Seth Flick
Executive Pastor
262-367-8400, ext. 114
314-456-3742
Pastor Adam Wolfe
Associate Pastor
262-367-8400, ext. 114
414-534-0232
Pastor Chris Sturges
Associate Pastor
262-367-8400, ext. 115
Heidi K. Graf
Minister of Music
Altar Guild
262-367-8400, ext. 101
Gail Arnold
Director of Church Administration
262-367-8400, ext. 100
Wedding Coordinator
262-313-8910, cell
FUNERALS
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Funeral Information
The staff of Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church & School are here for you in this time of mourning. As such, we will be responsible for creating and arranging the remainder of the service. Services will be finalized 3 business days before the funeral service. If requested information is not provided to Divine Redeemer by this time, a Divine Redeemer Pastor will choose readings and hymns on behalf of the family in order to print bulletins and notify appropriate participants for the sake of an orderly and respectful worship service. Although suggestions are welcomed in the service, a Divine Redeemer Pastor will ultimately be responsible for the content of the service.
For details of the funeral including:
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EULOGIES AT DIVINE REDEEMER
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SCHEDULING THE FUNERAL
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MUSIC
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FUNERAL COORDINATOR
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FEES & CHARGES
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OTHER ITEMS
...Refer to the Funeral Policy Documents located on this page. There is one document for those using a funeral home and a different document for use without a funeral home.