On the first Sunday of every month, our church celebrates communion. Communion is a celebration Jesus commanded his disciples to keep, because he never ever wanted them to lose sight or forget how much he loved them and how much that love cost Him. 

(Luke 22:19-20)

A couple of times each year our church holds a communion class for people of all ages. This is the perfect setting for those who want to learn more about communion and why we do it, because at the end of the day our heart is for our people to enter into communion from a place of worship, knowing what they are doing.

Want to learn more about our next communion class? Contact Brody Egeberg for more info.

Over and over throughout the New Testament, we see people commanded to "repent and be baptized" after encountering God. At our church, we celebrate baptism as an outward symbol of the inward reality of what God is doing. Scroll further down to read additional, important information about Baptism.

At The Highlands, we celebrate baptism throughout all stages of life. If you have questions about being baptized, contact the corresponding staff member:

• Adults - Aaron Sorenson
  
• Students (Grades 6-12) - Brody Egeberg
  
• Children (5th Grade & Younger) - Melissa Noreen
  

If you are interested in being baptized at our next baptism service click below:

BAPTISM INTEREST FORM  

MEANING OF BAPTISM

At The Highlands we believe that baptism is for everyone who believes in Christ and has chosen to follow Him. In baptism, people express faith in Jesus Christ and publicly acknowledge their commitment to Him, therefore, Baptism is an important expression of faith. We are obeying God when we choose to be baptized as Jesus commanded His followers to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

SYMBOLISM OF BAPTISM

Scripture teaches that baptism is a symbol of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection - that as believers we were buried with Christ and then raised with Him. Thus, baptism symbolizes the passing of our old life and the beginning of our new life as a Christian. Though baptism does not save us in and of itself, it does allow us to demonstrate publicly that we have chosen to follow Christ and have been saved by Him.

METHOD OF BAPTISM

The Greek New Testament word for baptism literally means "to dip or immerse". At The Highlands we follow this example. We believe immersion in water preserves and fulfills this meaning of baptism. It best symbolizes our union with Christ, our spiritual cleansing and forgiveness and our promised resurrection.

BAPTISM FAQ's

• I was baptized as an infant. Should I be baptized again? 
  

Your infant baptism shows your family's desire for you to know God and align your life with Him. Being baptized now reflects you relationship with Christ and desire to follow Him. This baptism does not diminish your infant baptism, it is your affirmation of it.

• Can families be baptized together?
  

Yes. We encourage it just as long as each family member fully understands the meaning of baptism and desires to follow Christ. The Highlands generally permits the baptism of children who are nine years of age (or have completed third grade) because children at this age are able to express their belief and understand their actions.

• Is baptism required for membership at The Highlands Church?
  

Being a fellowship member of The Highlands does not have baptism as a pre-condition, but we encourage all those who have a relationship with Christ to celebrate faith through baptism.

The definition of dedication is a setting apart or being set apart for a sacred purpose. A child dedication is a public commitment you make before God, your family and your church. The dedication service provides you, the parents, the opportunity to express publicly your desire to lead and spiritually nurture your child to love God and others. Child dedication is not baptism. Baptism has to do with belief in Christ and repentance of sin and public confession of faith and commitment to Jesus.

Why do we dedicate children?

We dedicate children for their blessing and our encouragement, following the example of godly parents in the Bible. They publicly dedicated their children to God, because they understood that God had entrusted their children to their care. As a church, it is a joyful opportunity to publicly recognize a child as a gift from God and to stand with the parents to raise their child up for God, as He gives them grace.

The Bible tells us that Hannah dedicated Samuel with these words, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord”. (1 Samuel 1:27-28)

Mary and Joseph presented Jesus back to God in an act of worship and dedication, “When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him." (Luke 2:22-40)

We want to see this blessing be true for your child too.

What does the Bible say about dedicating children?

The act of dedicating a child to God was a common practice in Old and New Testament times. As believers in Christ, we dedicate children for many of the same reasons. 

Baby Dedication is:

+A joyful opportunity for parents to acknowledge God’s incredible blessing of children as a gift from God. (Psalm 127:3)

+A formal recognition that the child belongs to God. (Psalm 24:1)

+A public commitment on the part of the parents and body of Christ to teach God’s Word and encourage them in their spiritual development.

When can I dedicate my child? Is there a specific age?

The Highlands encourages baby/child dedication for children ages 3 and under. 

What's the next step?

This is the easy part! We have several baby dedications throughout the year here at The Highlands. 

To get more info and/or schedule your child's dedication, click below: 

CHILD DEDICATION INTEREST FORM  

Please email HERE with any questions about child dedication. 

We were never called to simply attend church, but rather...BE the church.

Becoming a member is a meaningful decision at The Highlands Church. Becoming a member of a church is a commitment and a response to what God is doing in and through our community. Community is never perfect or easy. Becoming a member is a way for us to say that in spite of challenges that may come, that community is something worth fighting for and that we're committed to it. Family is family.

If you want to know more about what it means to be a member and what that process looks like for our church, please email Pastor Aaron.