Sacraments

The Sacraments

The sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion are gifts from God to strengthen and confirm our faith.  They are a visible sign that we do to that point us to the invisible work of faith that God is doing within us.  Marriage, confirmation and other works of the church are sacred but are not counted as sacraments.

Baptism

Baptism is both a sign of our profession of faith and a mark on our hearts that distinguished the baptized from those who are not baptized.  Baptism is only done once and we accept Baptisms from other Christian denominations.

The United Methodist Church baptize babies and the very young.  This places a responsibility of raising the child  being baptized to make a confession of faith upon those raising him or her.  Our pastor requires due counsel with the parents.  

Our church honors all modes of baptism.  While we usually sprinkle, pouring and full immersion are also used.

Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist

Holy Communion is both a sign of the love Jesus has for us and the love we have for one another.  We should come to the table by faith, with a right heart, and receive these elements in a proper manner whenever available.  The elements do not change into anything else as they touch our hands and our hearts.

By faith, “ the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.”  We use Grape juice and not wine in our services.  Holy communion is available to all Christians alike and of any age at any of our services.  You do not have to be a Cheatham Memorial UMC member or a Methodist, just claim the name of Christ.