Baptism during Lent

[Edial]

ITA, PW. We have the Tenebrae Service at our church, also. Just one service on Good Friday, and it is very moving. We generally sing "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross" and I am glad I am the organist and am just playing it- I cannot get thru that hymn, singing it, without getting all choked up.

To get back on track with the thread- I asked my Pastor if he had ever heard of not Baptizing during Lent. He said yes, he had, but he did not agree with it at all. As he said- if a pastor couseled a couple to wait until Easter to baptize their infant, and something happened before that day, like SIDS- what would that pastor tell the parents to comfort them?

I know we have a merciful God, and we pray that he has mercy on babies who do not get the opportunity to be baptized - but still, the Bible IS silent on this matter. So I would think that any parent that would be put in the position of knowing that the PASTOR counseled them to delay baptism and then lost their child before the baptism happened would be very upset- because there would always be that lingering question- was my baby really saved? I know that is how I would feel.

You are an organist?

Learn something new every day.

 

[LutheranChick]

You are an organist?

Learn something new every day.

Yep- by default- I was the only one in the congregation who could play any kind of keyboard (and read notes) when our organist retired. So I got dragged kicking and screaming, to the organ....

Been the regular organist now for about 8 years- I'm finally getting used to it!

 

[Melethiel]

Gotten the hang of the pedals, eh?

 

[LutheranChick]

Gotten the hang of the pedals, eh?

Pedals???? Oh, you mean the footrest! Nope - I'm not that coordinated. Maybe if I had time to do some heavy duty practicing, but at my stage of life I'm lucky I got used to the split keyboard!

 

[Protoevangel]

Well, most probably don't care, but I spoke with my Priest before Vespers on Saturday evening. The Orthodox Church baptizes babies very soon after birth (regardless of when in the Church year it is), following the ancient practice of the Historic Church. One major reason for this is the relatively high infant mortality rate in ancient societies.

I still tend to agree with DaRev, that it is a time-honored, good and pious custom (especially for the Western church), to wait to Baptize, until the conclusion of Lent (unless, of course, there is a reason to Baptize ASAP).

 

[Melethiel]

Pedals???? Oh, you mean the footrest! Nope - I'm not that coordinated. Maybe if I had time to do some heavy duty practicing, but at my stage of life I'm lucky I got used to the split keyboard!

Heh...I remember I substituted at a church a few months ago, and I overheard one of the people saying "wow, she sure uses the pedals a lot." And I was just playing the way I've been taught to play...

 

[Protoevangel]

Heh...I remember I substituted at a church a few months ago, and I overheard one of the people saying "wow, she sure uses the pedals a lot." And I was just playing the way I've been taught to play...

The SCANDAL!!!

 

[LutheranChick]

The SCANDAL!!!

Oh for sure- people could think you were dancing! (oh- wait- we don't have any rules about that, do we! ) Although, dancing in church probably isn't highly encouraged....

 

[RadMan]

It still think that Lent should be a joyous time for the anticipation of the resurrection, like someone else mentioned here. Get the atonement of sins out of the way and then concentrate on Jesus being resurrected. We're not supposed to dwell on our sins anyway because of God's grace.

German Lutherans can dwell on the morbid too much

 

[BabyLutheran]

Well I don't think it's because we are German Lutherans, one pastor is Nordic and the other has an English background, and about 25% of our congregation are cradle Lutherans.

Maybe we don't baptize during Lent because we think that's how real Lutherans do it! lol

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Well I don't think it's because we are German Lutherans, one pastor is Nordic and the other has an English background, and about 25% of our congregation are cradle Lutherans.

Maybe we don't baptize during Lent because we think that's how real Lutherans do it! lol

Sad thing is, I think some do believe that. (hopefully no one here, though!)

 

[Edial]

I think this is a very educational thread.

Some members who thought that infant baptism is to be discouraged now see that at least 2 veteran pastors say that it is OK to baptize any infant any time.

They also saw that 3 different congregations in this thread actually had infant baptisms for babies this past Sunday.

Some who thought that baptizing infants is a given for any time, see that some congregations discourage it.
They also see that 2 pastors discourage it.

The discussion was also very good and informative.

Opinions are rarely changed overnight, ... especially among the Lutherans.

YET, based on this thread we see that we have a freedom to choose.

It is upto the parents to decide what route they shall take, since babies are their responsibility ... not ours, not even Pastors'.

I was truly amazed how decently this debate was conducted. And this IS a fiery topic.

Maybe Rad's dream is coming true - we do not need moderators, we'll moderate ourselves.
I certainly hope this thread at least planted a seed for Rad's dream.
Based on this thread I no longer call it "Rad's fantasy".
It is doable.

... but the night is still young.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[BabyLutheran]

YOU ARE A %$^#$^#$^#%^ *^&&%^^%!

j/k

I too enjoyed this thread. I still hope to contribute my own pastors' opinions and reasons why they discourage it during Lent. If they have time during Lent to answer! lol

 

[mirla]

We had a Baptism on Sunday. I wouldn't have thought twice about if it it wasn't for this thread. No idea how my Pastor feels about it, though.

 

[DaRev]

(Mark this date on your calendars, folks! )

After much meditation and contemplation, I have arrived at the following...

Lent is a season of penitance, and as such is a somber season. Much of the celebratory nature of the Divine Service is absent on Sundays in Lent; no hymn of praise, no alleluias, even the hymnody reflects the mood of the season. Baptism is the uniting of the baptized with the death and resurrection of Christ which is something to be celebrated.

If I were approached to schedule a baptism, I would encourage waiting until after Lent. If the family was insistant, I would offer a couple of options. One would be to administer the sacrament of Baptism privately, during the week or on a Saturday, apart from the Divine service, and then to have a Rite of Recognition of the baptism after Easter during the Divine Service when the sacrament can be fully celebrated by the congregation and the family.
Or, I would agree to do the baptism during the Divine Service in Lent, but with the understanding of the family that much of the celebratory nature of the service would be absent due to the mood of the season. The choice would be theirs to make.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

(Mark this date on your calendars, folks! )

After much meditation and contemplation, I have arrived at the following...

Lent is a season of penitance, and as such is a somber season. Much of the celebratory nature of the Divine Service is absent on Sundays in Lent; no hymn of praise, no alleluias, even the hymnody reflects the mood of the season. Baptism is the uniting of the baptized with the death and resurrection of Christ which is something to be celebrated.

If I were approached to schedule a baptism, I would encourage waiting until after Lent. If the family was insistant, I would offer a couple of options. One would be to administer the sacrament of Baptism privately, during the week or on a Saturday, apart from the Divine service, and then to have a Rite of Recognition of the baptism after Easter during the Divine Service when the sacrament can be fully celebrated by the congregation and the family.
Or, I would agree to do the baptism during the Divine Service in Lent, but with the understanding of the family that much of the celebratory nature of the service would be absent due to the mood of the season. The choice would be theirs to make.

Bless you Pastor!

 

[DaRev]

I had to giggle a little bit as I contemplated the Gospel reading for this Sunday... John 3:1-17...

 

[dinkime]

i guess the people who come up with the lists of readings aren't against baptism during lent if they are willing to have it read about and spoken about!

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I had to giggle a little bit as I contemplated the Gospel reading for this Sunday... John 3:1-17...

Somehow the image of you giggling makes me giggle!!

 

[porterross]

(Mark this date on your calendars, folks! )

After much meditation and contemplation, I have arrived at the following...

Lent is a season of penitance, and as such is a somber season. Much of the celebratory nature of the Divine Service is absent on Sundays in Lent; no hymn of praise, no alleluias, even the hymnody reflects the mood of the season. Baptism is the uniting of the baptized with the death and resurrection of Christ which is something to be celebrated.

If I were approached to schedule a baptism, I would encourage waiting until after Lent. If the family was insistant, I would offer a couple of options. One would be to administer the sacrament of Baptism privately, during the week or on a Saturday, apart from the Divine service, and then to have a Rite of Recognition of the baptism after Easter during the Divine Service when the sacrament can be fully celebrated by the congregation and the family.
Or, I would agree to do the baptism during the Divine Service in Lent, but with the understanding of the family that much of the celebratory nature of the service would be absent due to the mood of the season. The choice would be theirs to make.