In the Presbyterian Church, being part of the Protestant and Reformed traditions, we celebrate two sacraments: baptism and communion. We celebrate only these because they were the two practiced and encouraged by the early church and because Jesus himself was baptized and gave us the "words of institution" which set forth the purpose and meaning of communion.

In our tradition the sacraments are usually administered during a time of public worship. The bread and juice used in communion and the water used in baptism are not sacred in themselves, but are instruments to be used in the sacred acts of baptism and communion. The "Westminster Confession of Faith" states that the "sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him; as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church, and the rest of the world, and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word."

People with eyes to see and ears to hear can experience God on all sorts of levels. Often they are serendipity, something that strikes us seemingly out-of-the-blue. A kind word, a beautiful sunset, and child's innocence can cause one to see in that situation, something of God. But the sacraments are a different experience of God in that they are "institutionalized". In other words, they are a planned part of our life in the Church.

Holy communion is an on-going source of spiritual nourishment and is therefore celebrated periodically and all through the worshipping life of a Christian. At our church we have communion at least monthly. But Baptism, on the other hand, is a once-and-for-all-time sacrament. While you may recall your own baptism at the time of another's and be very blessed by the experience, your baptism is a one-time experience. If God, through baptism, has placed a mark of love and acceptance upon you, it would beg the question to continually want to be re-baptized in the faith.

Baptism

Baptism signifies cleansing from sin and an exodus from death to life. It unifies us in the church and to other Christians and signifies commitment to faithful living. We need to remember our baptism just as we need to remember whose we are. Each of us should remember our baptism and the God who has blessed us through baptism. Baptism is received only once. There are many times in worship, however, when believers acknowledge the grace of God continually at work. As they participate in the celebration of another's Baptism, as they experience the sustaining nurture of the Lord's Supper, and as they reaffirm the commitments made at Baptism, they confess their ongoing need of God's grace and pledge anew their obedience to God's covenant in Christ.

As there is one body, there is one Baptism. (Eph. 4:4-6) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes all Baptisms with water in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit administered by other Christian churches.

The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God's love claims people before they are able to respond in faith.

The Baptism of those who enter the covenant upon their own profession of faith witnesses to the truth that God's gift of grace calls for fulfillment in a response of faithfulness.

Communion

The Lord's supper is an act of commitment drawing us to Christ, and convicting us of our faith and, as often as we celebrate, we are reminded to take up the cross and follow him: "For as often as we eat the bread and drink the cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again" (1 Corinthians 11:26). Holy Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist is a mystery which draws us; a person who convicts us; a call to involvement; and a source of thanksgiving. Let us be thankful for the privilege of coming to the joyful feast of the people of God. How good and who pleasant it is when brothers and sisters can dwell in the unity of holy communion.

We call this sacrament The Lord's Supper recalling the night when Christ and the disciples were eating with him in the upper room. "The breaking of bread and the pouring of wine show that Christ gave his own body to be broken and his life to be poured out on behalf of humanity, in his offering of himself on the cross" (Directory of Worship, 21.031).

At First Presbyterian Church of Upland we celebrate communion on the first Sunday of each month. All who believe that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior may participate. Children who are old enough to understand the significance of Jesus and the redemption of our sins may also participate.