"The Sacraments, ordained by Christ, are symbols and pledges of the Christian's profession and of God's love toward us.  They are means of grace by which God works invisibly in us, quickening, strengthening and confirming our faith in God.  Two Sacraments are ordained by Christ our Lord, namely Baptism and the Lord's Supper." (Article V, "The Confession of Faith,"ÂThe Book of Discipline, 2004)

 

"We believe the Lord's Supper is a representation of our redemption, a memorial of the sufferings and death of Christ, and a token of love and union which Christians have with Christ and with one another. Those who rightly, worthily and in faith eat the broken bread and drink the blessed cup partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until he comes." (Article V, "The Confession of Faith," The Book of Discipline, 2004)

 

At Reveille, Holy Communion is celebrated at the morning worship services on the first Sunday of every month, at the mid-week service on Wednesday afternoon, and on other special occasions.  Elements are bread and grape juice; gluten-free bread and juice are also available.  In keeping with United Methodist practice, all persons of every age and church are welcome.

 

"We believe Baptism signifies entrance into the household of faith, and is a symbol of repentance and inner cleansing from sin, a representation of the new birth in Christ Jesus and a mark of Christian discipleship.

 

"We believe children are under the atonement of Christ and as heirs of the Kingdom of God are acceptable subjects for Christian Baptism. Children of believing parents through Baptism become the special responsibility of the Church. They should be nurtured and led to personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their Baptism." (Article V, "The Confession of Faith," The Book of Discipline, 2004).

 

The sacrament of baptism is offered to persons of all ages.  At Reveille Church, baptisms are celebrated on the fourth Sunday of the month in one of the three Sunday morning worship services. Baptisms are scheduled through the pastoral and congregational care secretary.

 

Some churches include additional practices, rites and ceremonies as sacraments.  These practices include Christian marriage, anointing the sick, confirmation, and others.  Some churches consider footwashing a sacrament.  The United Methodist Church considers these practices and ceremonies to be "sacramentals," or practices that may communicate God's healing and transforming grace, but not sacraments, because they were not ordained by Christ.  At the same time, Reveille Church offers these practices because they are "states of life allowed in the Scriptures," they recognize the working of God's grace in our lives at special times and because they are means of grace that open our lives to God.