Praise Lutheran Church

Baptisms At Praise
The Scriptures tell us clearly that the washing of Holy Baptism is one of God’s Means of Grace, which He provides to bring us spiritual birth, forgiveness of our sins, to make us members of His Kingdom and to place us into God’s grace.  Parents should bring their children to be baptized within weeks of birth, or sooner if the child is seriously ill.  Holy  Scriptures are filled with passages which describe baptism as the Lord’s means to reach infants who are also sinful and need God’s forgiveness.  The Bible never speaks of any “age of accountability” in which a child becomes finally responsible for their sinfulness, but connects New Testament baptism with Old Testament circumcision, performed on babies 8 days old (Colossians 2:9-12).

For an infant baptism, at least one of the parents will normally be a member of Praise, and will need to be spiritually responsible for bringing the child to church and Sunday School. Generally, adults receive instruction previous to baptism.  The use of godparents is a good tradition for the baptism of children, but necessitates that they share the same faith of the parents and child.

Weddings at Praise
God’s Word instructs Christians, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor. 6:14,) reminding us that Christians must marry only other active Christians.  A Christian wedding and marriage are a picture of Christ’s love, care and sacrifice for His bride, the Church.  Since a Christian marriage and wedding are based upon the ongoing spiritual, pastoral relationship of a pastor and at least one Praise member, normally weddings and the preceding counseling are reserved for active members of the congregation.  Where bride or groom is in the process of adult instruction or transfer, plans for a wedding can take place.  It is important that one contacts the church office, completes an Application for Marriage form, has made arrangements with one of Praise’s pastors, and the dates for a rehearsal and wedding are written on the official church calendar before any arrangements are made with a reception hall.  Normally, several sessions of pre-marital counseling are required for a man and a woman together before their wedding can take place.  Statistics show a much higher success rate for couples who have completed pre-marital counseling.  In the case of a previous marriage and divorce, a wedding may or may not be possible, following our Lord’s strict guidelines in Scripture.  Couples that are sexually intimate, in violation of our Lord’s Will clearly revealed in Scripture, will need to show adequate repentance before plans can begin for a wedding.  Praise’s Fellowship Hall may be available for wedding receptions for a nominal cleaning fee.  (Alcohol, except for a champaign toast, is not permitted on church property.)  Praise’s sanctuary and Fellowship Hall are available for rental at a higher fee for other Christians whose sanctuary is too small.

Funerals at Praise
Praise’s pastors and our Stephen Ministry wish to minister to the spiritual and emotional needs of families at the death of a loved one of the congregation.  A Christian’s entrance into heaven is both the joyous fulfillment of our faith in Christ’s death and resurrection, but also a time of grieving and support for the family.  Since a funeral service is a pastoral function of the Church, this ministry is normally intended for active members of Praise.  On occasion, when an extended family member of a Praise member dies, a funeral may be conducted at a funeral home by one of Praise’s pastors where there is evidence of the deceased’s Christian faith.  Tributes by military or other service groups have no place in the Christian funeral, but may take place after the committal at the cemetery.  Active members of Praise have the right to be buried from the church, and for them our Funeral Committee offers to hold a luncheon for family and friends in the Fellowship Hall after the funeral services.  Grief counseling is available both from pastors and Stephen Ministers at Praise.  When a death occurs, please phone the church office to speak to the pastor “on duty” that week before any arrangements are made with a funeral home.

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Dr. Paul Dancy
Sr. Pastor, Praise Lutheran Church