Life Transitions
Baptism at OSLC
Baptism is a sacrament of the Church whereby we are brought into the family of faith and joined to the body of Christ by water and the Word. We follow the command of Jesus to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Just as the scriptures do not prescribe a specific age for baptism, neither do we. Furthermore, we understand the most vital work in baptism will be done by God’s Holy Spirit, not by us or by anything we bring to the arrangement. A baby born into a family is given love and an identity by his or her parents, not dependent on anything the child has done or promises to do. The parents simply love that child. So also, a person brought into the family of faith is given love and an identity by God. It’s God’s work.
Baptism is one’s entry into the family of faith; therefore, we celebrate baptisms during our regular worship gatherings on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings in the company of the congregation.
To help those interested in digging deeper into the meaning and practice of baptism, we have a couple of resources at OSLC to check out:
“Welcome to the Family!” is a booklet written by Pastor Rich Melhelm for parents considering baptism for a child. It’s beautifully written and easy to read. We keep several copies in the Pastor’s office.
“Baptized, We Live: Lutheranism as a Way of Life,” authored by Daniel Erlander, is a wonderful booklet that explores not only the sacrament of baptism, but also how our baptismal identity works itself out in our living together as church. We offer this booklet free to new members, and we try to keep extras on hand in the office.
Anyone interested in baptism, for self or a family member, should contact the Pastor for conversation about the baptism and to schedule it. Contact the Pastor via email or call the church office at 605-642-3715.
Wedding / Marriage
Anyone interested in a wedding through Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, please download the Weddings and Receptions document.
Funerals
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.” - (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)
Thinking About the Funeral Service
End-of-life planning should find ways to help survivors grieve. The funeral service can do that by being a time of remembrance and a time to hear the promises of resurrection life. A sample bulletin is available for you to print off and fill in with your preferences.
Download Celebration of Life Service (PDF)
Planning the Service
Music is a wonderful way for a community to share both its grief and its hope. Congregational singing brings everyone together in a powerful way at a funeral, even for those whose faith is less strong. The service usually begins and ends with congregational singing. Easter hymns work well as closing songs because they are celebrative, triumphant, and powerful.
Choose hymns for the beginning and end of the service that will create feelings of hope and that celebrate life and faith.
Music and singing can also be included mid-service, sung by the congregation or sung by a soloist or duet. Sometimes those gathered at a funeral need to sit, listen, and reflect as the music is performed by others.
List songs or hymns to be sung by the congregation or performed by singer, singers, piano, or other instrument.
The scripture readings shared at a funeral should be chosen to convey the hope we have in a God that gives us life. Are there favorite verses you would like read as you are placed in God’s eternal care? Don’t feel restricted to only the blank spaces provided in this sample bulletin; write several that speak to you so survivors will have options to choose from that you would like folks to hear.
Use the back page of the completed sample bulletin to indicate preferences for food at the gathering AFTER your funeral.
Submit a copy of this bulletin to the church office, and it will be kept on file for you.
Counseling
Conversations with pastoral staff are always available by appointment. Please call the church at 605-642-3715. Counseling referrals may be made to the following agencies or others.
Susan Terveen
Spearfish Counseling Services
1320 North Ave.
Spearfish, SD 57783
Lisa Kautzman CNP, RN, QMHP
Behavior Management Systems
623 Dahl Road
Spearfish, SD 57783