Baptism is the church's proclamation and experience that we are who we are because God has first chosen us and loved us and called us into His kingdom. Baptism by water is a visible sign of God's love toward His children and is essentially something that God does. The profound truth and beauty of baptism is not so much that we give our children or ourselves to God - God chooses us as His own.
Baptism is offered to adults and children upon their profession of faith in Jesus Christ, as well as to the infants of parents who are members of MPPC. The baptism of infants witnesses to the truth that God's love claims us even before we are able to respond in faith. Parents wanting to preserve baptism for the time of their child's personal profession of faith in Christ may present their children for dedication.
Baptisms and dedications are part of the worship experience of the MPPC family. If you would like to have a child baptized or dedicated during one of our Menlo Park weekend worship services, please contact the Reception Desk, 650.323.8600.
Learn more about baptism from Pastor John Ortberg:
Whatever You Do, Do these Two: Baptism and Communion, March 25, 2007
God is Still in the Resurrection Business, May 3, 2009
Watch a video of our June 13, 2010 special immersion service