Baptism
Baptism
Welcoming new Christians into our Community is cause for celebration.
"The Book of Common Prayer" defines baptism as “full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church.” In short, baptism involves someone becoming a member of the church, and it is a practice that goes back to Jesus himself.
The act of baptism also symbolizes God’s redeeming grace in at least two ways. First, when water is poured over the candidate, the imagery of washing is brought to mind, symbolizing the cleansing of one’s sins (Isaiah 1:18; Hebrews 10:10). Second, baptism symbolizes identification with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5).
Baptism Instruction Class
Holy Baptism is one of the great joys in the life of the Church — a sacred moment in which children are welcomed into the household of God and marked as Christ’s own forever. The classes are designed to help parents deepen their understanding of the meaning and promises of baptism while equipping them to nurture their child in the Christian faith.
The course is offered several times throughout the year, either as three 45-minute Sunday School classes or as one half-day Saturday session with the Rev. Alex Graham III.
Deanna Lawson
Family Ministries and Spiritual Formation Coordinator
dlawson@smec.org
713-985-3807
Adult Baptisms
If the candidate for baptism is an adult, preparation is also appropriate and must be arranged. Depending on the needs of the individual, adult instruction may take more than one meeting. As a result, an adult baptism cannot be scheduled until the instruction requirement has been met.
Deanna Lawson
Family Ministries and Spiritual Formation Coordinator dlawson@smec.org 713-985-3807
Baptism Flower Dedications
Flowers beautify the sacred spaces of our Church and are a gift to God and those who attend our worship services. Altar flowers are funded through generous donations to the St. Martin’s Flower Fund and not through a line item in the Church budget. Please note that you are not purchasing a floral arrangement for your ceremony; you are donating to the flower fund that allows St. Martin’s to continue to display flowers in The Church.
The cost of Altar Flowers is $150.
Your gift will be acknowledged in the worship booklet and acknowledged on your year-end tax statement from St. Martin’s. A contribution to the Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor a loved one and is also tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
If you have scheduled a baptism and are interested in donating to the Flower Fund, please make your payment online. To pay by check, please refer to the forms included in your baptism paperwork.
Baptism Altar Flowers
Please fill out your dedication exactly as you want it to appear in the worship booklet. To ensure the dedication is listed in the worship booklet, we must have your payment and completed form by the Sunday before the baptism date. You must complete the payment portion to confirm your donation. This can be found at the bottom of the page once you submit your dedication information. Thank you.
NOTE: Prayers of the People are not said on the First Sunday in Lent due to the Great Litany, so flower dedications will not be read aloud. Please choose the Sunday before or after March 9, 2025 for your dedication.
Please do not use this form for Easter and Christmas flowers. Dedication submissions using this form will not appear in the Easter and Christmas worship booklets.