Baptism is open to all who believe and wish to be baptized in the name of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit, whether you are a member of Zion Lutheran Church or not.
While congregation membership is not a requirement, we do believe a person is joined to the community of faith through baptism. In baptism, commitments are made to enter a life-long journey of faith within a congregation.
We do not perform private baptisms. Baptism is entry into a community of faith where the people of Zion Lutheran promise to love, support and pray for the child.
We encourage families to be connected to a faith community. If you don’t have a church home, please consider Zion Lutheran as your church family.
It is the great commission of our Lord Jesus that we would “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
Through water and the Word of God in baptism, we are liberated from sin and death by being joined to the death and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:3-4)
God uses baptism to bring about faith. In baptism, we are “born again of the Spirit” (John 3:5) to begin a new life freed in Christ to love God and serve others. Discover more about baptism on the ELCA website.
Contact the parish office at 570-668-2180 or zionlcof@verizon.net to schedule a baptism.
Prior to the baptism, the pastor will meet with you (the parents) to get acquainted and to respond to any questions you might have. This visit can be at your home or the church.
A one-hour class is offered before the baptism. You and the sponsors learn more about baptism and your roles in the baptism.
The day of the baptism, you, the sponsors and pastor will meet 30 minutes prior to the start of the service.
One or more persons of your choosing will stand with you during the baptism. Sponsors have a calling to encourage the child in Christian faith. Sponsors can be any family member or friend who is a baptized Christian.
If the you and the sponsors of the baptized are not members of a congregation, we suggest the support of a congregation baptism sponsor. A congregation baptism sponsor stands with you during the baptism and will also pray for your child and provide gentle encouragement and support for growing in faith.
Holy Communion is one of two sacraments in the Lutheran Church. It is taken when a child is in fifth grade.
Confirmation is another important part of a child’s faith journey. Confirmation is a two-year program where the child/participant learns about Martin Luther and the Small Cathechism as well as the life and ministry of Jesus as seen in the four Gospels.
