Anyone. We baptize newborns, elders, and all ages in between. We baptize babies/children for several reasons:

• Because God’s loving grace is unearned; babies can do nothing but rest in the arms of those who love them (elca.org).
• The earliest church (after the resurrection of Christ) baptized entire households (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, 1 Corinthians 1:16).
• Jesus said to baptize all nations, using a word that means “all people” (Matthew 28:19).
• Jesus said that children are models of faith; he welcomes and blesses children (Mark 10:14, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 19:14)

Once. Although baptized once, we remember our baptisms on a regular basis in worship and daily life. Find everyday practices for forming faith with infants and toddlers here and older kids and youth here.

When children are baptized, parents and sponsors said, “Yes, God!” on the child’s behalf. During the Rite of Confirmation, young people and adults can affirm God’s promise and blessings of baptism in their own words. You can learn more about youth confirmation classes here.

Parents of infants/toddlers are required to attend a baptism class prior to the baptism of their first child at Shepherd of the Valley. Several times a year, we offer a special parent-child class designed for older children and youth (age 5 through High School) who would like to be baptized. Adults who are interested in baptism are encouraged to set up a meeting with Pastor Peter Harrits.

The sacrament itself normally takes place in a worship gathering, as a sign that baptism unites us with Christ and the family of God (the church); and so that the congregation is present to promise support to the baptized and their family.

At SOTV, baptisms are celebrated the second weekend of every month within our regular worship services: Saturday 5:00 pm, Sunday 8:30 am, 9:45 am, and 11:00 am.

Sponsors (i.e. Godparents) are chosen by parents of the baptized as someone who will help nurture the child’s faith development. Sponsors actively live their faith in Christ and have the ability to help the baptized celebrate their identity as Child of God.

Parents and sponsors promise to be responsible for nurturing and supporting the faith development of the baptized. Check out this resource for parents and sponsors that breaks down each part of this promise.

Fill out this form or register online here. Email Katie Strand with questions. If you have not previously taken a baptism class at SOTV, please register for a class and complete that before your scheduled baptism.