Sacraments & Milestones
The Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism represents our loving welcome into the body of Christ and the fellowship of the church. As one of the two sacraments instituted by Christ, baptism is a visible sign of God’s gracious and loving claim upon our lives. Our congregation offers this spiritual welcome to persons of every age, from infancy through adulthood.
In our theological tradition, the sacrament of baptism “holds a deep reservoir of theological meaning, including dying and rising with Jesus Christ; pardon, cleansing, and renewal; the gift of the Holy Spirit; incorporation into the body of Christ; and a sign of the realm of God” (Directory for Worship, W-3.0402). It is a gift of grace, a calling to faithfulness, a bond of unity, and a connection with the Church of every time and place. More than anything else, baptism is a sign of God’s boundless love for us. Please contact Rev. Peter Bynum (914-834-1800) if you are interested in the sacrament of baptism for your family.
Click here to learn more about the theology and practice of baptism in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The second sacrament in our tradition was instituted by Christ on the night before his death, as he sat at table with his disciples. The Lord’s Supper, also known as the Eucharist, “is the sign and seal of our communion with the crucified and risen Lord” (Directory for Worship, W-3.0409) Just as baptism transforms everyday water into a visible and tangible sign of God’s grace, the prayerful and reverent sharing of bread and wine by a congregation holds deep theological meaning. Through this spiritual meal, we remember Christ’s sacrificial love, we are connected with God’s providential care, and we strengthen the bonds of love that hold us together as people of faith. As Paul wrote in his first letter to the Corinthians, when we share the bread and cup in worship, “we who are many are one body.”
At Larchmont Avenue Church we typically celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every month, as well as on special days of observance such as Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
Click here to learn more about the theology and practice of holy communion in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Path to Confirmation
In our tradition, confirmation is closely linked to the sacrament of baptism. As a person baptized as an infant or child matures in age and understanding, they reach a point when they are ready to make a public profession of what they believe and accept the responsibilities of full church membership. With a group of peers in their age group, young people are invited to participate in classes about Christian scripture, theology, and practice. When they are ready to “confirm” their faith publicly, the worshiping congregation welcomes the “confirmands” as they reaffirm the vows of baptism, proclaim their reliance on God’s grace, profess their faith in Jesus Christ, and declare their intent to participate actively and responsibly in the life of the church.
At Larchmont Avenue Church, children are typically invited to participate in confirmation during their seventh-grade year. Led by Associate Pastor Anna Grace Claunch, classes meet monthly from September through May, when the confirmands are invited to make their professions of faith during Youth Sunday.
Email Associate Pator Anna Grace Claunch, agclaunch@lacny.org for more information on confirmation at Larchmont Avenue Church.
The Covenant of Marriage
We believe that marriage “is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family” (Directory for Worship, 4.0601). It is a sacred covenant, a binding commitment between two people who promise to love and support one another as long as they both shall live. In many ways, the sacrificial love and faithfulness required for such a commitment reminds us of the selfless love and faith of Christ.
Larchmont Avenue Church welcomes all couples with a sincere desire to be married in a Christian service, without discrimination based on sexual orientation or ethnicity.
Click here to learn more about our policies around the celebration of weddings at LAC.