Open Communion at Pleasant Grove (The Father's Table)

At Pleasant Grove Church, we embrace the transformative love of Jesus Christ through an inclusive communion table. This signifies that everyone, without exception, is welcome to partake in Communion, also known as "The Father's Table or The Table of Grace."

Our open table philosophy stems from the desire to emulate Jesus, who extended grace to all seekers without requiring prior declarations of faith or actions like baptism. It is only after this initial grace that Jesus invited deeper commitments and rituals. Similarly, we view communion as a moment of grace for anyone wishing to experience Christ's love, and we joyfully welcome all who seek it.

At our communion table, all truly means all. Parents and caregivers of young children are encouraged to include their little ones in this celebration, with the understanding that the decision is theirs. If you choose to include your child, we suggest sharing simple explanations about the meal, such as, “This bread and juice remind us that Jesus loves us very much.”

For more information about Communion at Pleasant Grove, please contact Pastor Tim at pleasantgrovepastortim@gmail.com, with "Communion" in the subject line. To delve deeper into the biblical context of communion, consider reading Matthew 26:26-28, Luke 22:19, and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. 

Baptism at Pleasant Grove

At Pleasant Grove Church, we embrace two distinct forms of baptism. Infant baptism serves as a celebration of God's presence in a child who is not yet able to make a personal faith decision. During this ceremony, both the parents and the church publicly affirm their commitment to nurturing the child's spiritual journey, guiding them toward a future choice to follow Christ. This practice primarily symbolizes the faith of the parents.

Believer's baptism, which signifies a personal commitment to faith, serves as a visible expression of the spiritual transformation occurring between an individual and God in Pleasant Grove. While baptism is not a prerequisite for becoming a Christian or following Jesus, the Bible emphasizes the significance of publicly affirming our choice to follow Him. This powerful moment allows individuals to openly declare their faith within the community of believers, symbolizing their decision to die with Christ and embrace the new life He offers. The ritual embodies profound symbolism through the acts of presenting oneself, surrendering, and being welcomed by the congregation.

Jesus was baptized prior to starting his earthly ministry, as noted in Luke 3:21-22. Believer’s baptism serves as a public affirmation of an individual's desire to join God's narrative on earth. It is important to understand that baptism is not a means to secure a place in heaven or a requirement for salvation. Rather, it is an act of identifying with Christ, expressing obedience to God, and openly declaring the intention to follow Jesus. At Pleasant Grove, we hold baptism services periodically during our Sunday morning worship, offering both infant and believer's baptism. These occasions are joyful celebrations of the commitments made, whether by parents or individuals. Our preferred method for adult baptisms is immersion, where the person is fully submerged in water, while infants are baptized by sprinkling water on their heads. If you wish to discuss infant or believer’s baptism, please reach out to Pastor Tim via email at pleasantgrovepastortim@gmail.com, including “Baptism” in the subject line. For further exploration of baptism in the Bible, you may refer to passages such as Mark 1:4, Luke 3:16, Luke 3:21-22, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, and 1 Peter 3:20-22. 

Dedication at Pleasant Grove

Child dedication is a meaningful opportunity for parents of infants and young children to express their commitment to nurturing their child's faith. This act signifies a public promise to guide their children in understanding that Jesus is the redeemer and sovereign overall. While like baptism, dedication focuses on the parents' intention to raise their child in the teachings of Christ, presenting them to God in a heartfelt manner. If you wish to dedicate your child at Pleasant Grove, please reach out to Pastor Tim via email at pleasantgrovepastortim@gmail.com, including "Child Dedication" in the subject line. For those interested in exploring the concept of baptism further, relevant biblical passages include Psalm 127:3, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ephesians 6:4, and 1 Samuel 1:28.