The church is involved in people's everyday life and celebrations.
Baptism is the most important ceremony of the church, and is the sole rite of Christian initiation. It is the foundation of the life of faith. The baptized are embraced by God’s grace and love. By the Holy Spirit, God strengthens our faith. Baptism is eternally valid. Its promise remains, even when our faith is shaken.
The Baptism can take place either at the local church or the family home. The child’s parents and godparents confess their faith. The pastor addresses the candidate by name, and pours water on their head three times, saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Parents and godparents then join in blessing the newly baptized by the laying-on of hands as the celebrant says: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all evermore.”
We are a church whose unity is in Jesus Christ, who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. Baptism is a significant part of our faith journey as we come from the baptismal waters to live a new life as children of God.
Our baptism sets us out on a lifelong journey that is characterized by our relationship to God, our relationship to our faith community, our relationships in our community and the wider world. Living our baptismal covenant means living a life of growth in the faith practices of discipleship.
One can be baptized at any age.
A young person who is not a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church can attend confirmation school together with other young people. If he chooses to join the church, he or she is baptized prior to confirmation.Children under the age of 12 may be baptized into the church membership if at least one of their parents or guardians is a member of the church. In this case, baptism requires the written consent of the parents. The written consent of the parents and the person being baptized is required to baptize a child between the ages of 12 and 14.
Before an adult is baptized, the pastor discusses with him or her matters related to the faith, doctrine, and traditions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. This is called an adult confirmation school. FLC organizes an adult confirmation school upon request, either individually or in a group.
In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the requirement for godparents during baptism is flexible. Unlike some other Christian denominations, the ELCA does not prescribe a specific number of godparents. Instead, they emphasize the baptismal covenant and the lifelong journey of faith that begins with baptism.
Here are some key points regarding godparents in the ELCA:
Number of Godparents: Only one godparent is required. However, if you choose to have two godparents, they can be of any gender. They do not need to be married to each other.
Qualifications for Godparents: While the ELCA does not have strict rules about godparents, it’s essential that they are faithful members of the Christian community. Their role is to support the baptized person in their faith journey.
Living the Baptismal Covenant: The focus in the ELCA is on living out the baptismal covenant. This involves growing in faith practices, maintaining relationships with God, the faith community, and the wider world.
Kun lapsi syntyy ulkomailla - katso muistilista! - Evl.fi
Confirmation - Rippikoulu
Confirmation school is an adventure during which a young person receives tools for life. Together with other youths and adult members of the congregation, they reflect on matters related to life and faith. Most often, a young person attends confirmation school in the year they turn 15.
One usually registers for confirmation school in the early autumn of the year before the confirmation school takes place. You can ask for more information from your own parish or from the church organizations that arrange confirmation schools.
Confirmation school can also be attended as an adult. Adult confirmation school can also be participated in online, at one's own pace and in their own way.
In confirmation school, the Bible is read, communal worship is held, and prayers are said. Various devotional moments are a natural part of the everyday life of confirmation school.
Everything is based on a safe and diverse spirituality. The goal is for the young person to find prayer and worship as a way to live and be in the presence of God – to practice their faith and care for their spiritual life even after confirmation school. The collectively spoken creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Aaronic blessing also create a connection to the communal life of worship in the congregation.
An FLC pastor arranges confirmation school as needed for those youths or adults who want to undergo confirmation school and receive confirmation. The pastor also helps and holds meetings with those youths who are going to Finland for a confirmation camp.
“Love is patient; love is kind.” (1 Cor.13:4)
Marriage is a structure of mutual promises between two adult persons who love each other and want to commit to their relationship. Their union has been authorized in a legal arrangement required by the state, and they want God’s blessing on their marriage.
The central message of Christianity is that life does not end with death. We have the promise of eternal life: death is the gateway into the abiding presence and love of God, in whose hands we may confidently place all our burdens.
Funerals usually take place about two or three weeks after the demise. They may be held at the graveside, at the home of the deceased, or in a church, chapel or hospital chapel. Details of where the service is to be held should be discussed with the pastor. If the loved one has been cremated, the funeral can be held later.