WORSHIP AT CALVARY

• The Act of Worship
• Special Elements of Worship
• Special Services
• Exploring the Church
• Words to Know
• For Further Reading

Communion through the Lord's Supper
In the spirit of openness, we invite any who have made a faith commitment to Jesus Christ to join in the sharing of this meal.

On the night before Jesus was crucified, he met with his disciples and they shared a meal together. On the first Sunday of each month during worship, the Calvary congregation remembers this "last supper" with a service of communion.

At that last meal, Jesus took bread and wine, common food at a meal in his day, and blessed it in a special way. Jesus used that food and drink to teach his disciples that his life, death, and resurrection would continue to sustain them in the days, months, and years to come. He taught them to remember Him whenever they ate a meal together.

Indeed, Christians all over the world in a variety of ways and in many denominations still gather to celebrate this important meal and to be sustained by Christ who is the bread of life. Historically, Baptists have viewed this meal as a memorial - an opportunity to remember what Jesus did for each of us.

At Calvary, when we break bread together, in addition to remembering Jesus, we hope you will also experience the presence of the risen Christ, for Christ is surely present - present among all who participate - present in the breaking, sharing, eating and drinking. Christ is personally and actively present: cleansing, energizing, challenging, healing and uniting.

Anyone who is a member of Calvary may be invited to be a communion server. There are a variety of methods for sharing communion. It is common Baptist practice to serve each other. This is best accomplished my passing the tray to the person next to you and allowing them to hold it for you. Parents, we leave it to your discretion whether or not to serve your unbaptized children. After you have been served, hold the bread or cup so that we may all partake together, as directed by the minister.

Baptism
As followers of Jesus Christ, Baptism is an act of obedience. Baptism is one of the two sacraments or ordinances recognized by the Protestant branch of the Christian church. It is one of the most joy-filled and poignant sacred actions found in Christian worship. In baptism, the baptismal candidate is re-affirmed as a child of God, becomes a disciple of Jesus Christ, and begins the ministry to which they are being called by God.

Traditionally, Baptist churches practice “believer's baptism”, meaning that only those who are old enough to make their own decision to become a follower of Christ are eligible for baptism.

The form of baptism commonly found in the Baptist tradition is called immersion. This form of baptism, in which one goes completely under the water, gets its inspiration from the Jewish form of ritual cleansing called the Mikveh. In Jesus' day this ritual washing was a symbol of religious purification and consecration. In scripture, water is a powerful symbol of God's grace. By immersion, we place ourselves under God's grace and submerge ourselves into the character of Christ who is our Savior and Lord. Baptism is a powerful and profound symbol of our new life in God.

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Calvary has open membership. In other words, if you have been baptized (regardless of the form) you are received openly as a member of this congregation based on your Christian experience. If you have been baptized as an infant and would find it meaningful to be immersed as an adult, you are encouraged to do so. Please talk to one of the ministers. Pastor's classes are available for all ages.

Celebrating children
Calvary's worship services include a specific time for children. Children are invited to come to the front of the sanctuary for a story or lesson that is focused directly toward them. While adults often enjoy the story and appreciate the lesson, this segment of worship is focused exclusively on children's needs.

According to John Westerhoff, a leading Christian educator, children's presence in worship is not only important, but is necessary if we are to become the whole people of God. Westerhoff's premise is that faith is "caught" not "taught", and what better way for children to know what faith is all about than to be a part of a community that laughs together, cries together, struggles together, and worships together - a community that lives and shares its faith with all its members?

Following the story, children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to Creative Time, during which children can learn and grow in an age-appropriate environment. Creative Time takes place in one of the children's classrooms with gifted adult leaders.

Celebrating new life: infant/parent dedication
Historically, Baptist churches baptize those who make a conscious profession of personal faith in Christ. Yet, we recognize the importance of spiritual nurturing of children and parents within the Christian community. The ceremony of child dedication offers one way to symbolize the fact that children of Christian parents are part of the community of faith even though those children are not baptized. It also provides the congregation and the parents an opportunity to affirm their roles in nurturing the child in an atmosphere of love and faith. Infant and child dedication occurs in the midst of a Sunday worship service. If you would like to schedule this ceremony for your child, please contact one of the pastors.