Baptism The sacrament of baptism is an outward
and visible sign of the grace of God. Through baptism a person is
joined with the universal church, the body of Christ. In baptism,
God works in us the power of forgiveness, the renewal of the spirit,
and the knowledge of the call to be God's people always.
Infants,
children, youth and adults can be baptized in the United Church of Christ.
For infants and children, as well as for youth and adults who have
never been baptized before, baptism marks their acceptance into the
care of Christ's church, the sign and seal of God's grace and forgiveness,
and the beginning of their Christian faith and life.
Communion The broken bread and poured wine represent —
present anew — the crucified and risen Christ. The wheat gathered
to bake one loaf and the grapes pressed to make one cup remind
participants that they are one body in Christ, while the breaking
and pouring announce the costliness of Christ's sacrifice for
the forgiveness of sin.
