Call the church office (727-600-8279) and set up a time to meet with the Pastor so that he can get to know you and help you in this great step in your Christian Faith. You will talk to him about your faith journey and why you feel this is an important part of that journey. Have questions ready and feel comfortable to talk about your beliefs.
Against this background we deplore certain errors in thought and practice pertaining to infant Baptism. For one thing, we deplore the error of thinking of this as a ceremony for the benefit of the parents. It does or should give them an increased sense of responsibility before God for the Christian nurture of their child. But the sacrament goes far beyond that. It also recognizes whose child they are raising. The lord their God.
Again, we deplore thinking of infant Baptism as a mere ceremony of christening. It is not the church’s naming ceremony. It is true that at Baptism the child’s Christian name is given aloud to the church, but that is for the family of God to hear the name of their new member. Infant Baptism is real Baptism and therefore does not require to be repeated later in life when the child reaches some more mature age.
We also deplore the spoiling of this great sacrament by the use of a flower dipped into the water and placed on the infant’s head or other showy, irreverent acts. Why? Because such acts have no historic religious significance. No flower can take the place of the hand of the man of God placed directly upon the infant’s head. We are dealing here with a profound spiritual mystery, not a touching ceremony at which we take memorable pictures.
Baptism is done as part of the worship service and is not a private service. In an infant Baptism the parents and the community of believers (congregation) does for the child what, with prayer and proper guidance, the child will do for him/herself when he/she is confirmed and brought into the membership of the Church. Baptism gives the true meaning to confirmation. For, in the case of those baptized as infants, confirmation is the process of incorporation into the community of faith which began at Baptism. Another way of putting it is that the Holy Spirit works mysteriously through the community of Christ to claim each infant for God and his kingdom.
We believe in adult, youth and infant Baptism. Along with nearly all Christians we believe in baptizing older people whenever the occasion requires it. That occasion though is not a private one. We believe that Baptism is a Sacrament and as such should be done as part of the worship service before the Body of Christ. There are many ways of performing the Sacrament and we are quite willing to immerse people or pour if they so desire it. But since we hold that the amount of water used is not important, we commend the practice of Baptism by laying on of hands or “sprinkling.” (Sprinkling means to lay a hand on your head by the minister; the hand having been dipped into a bowl of Holy Water so that the cup of the hand contains the water and is poured out on the head.)
All through the ages Christians have believed that infants were unutterably precious to God. God did not want them to be lost. But infant Baptism goes deeper than any supposed cleansing from the pollution of original sin. In the Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 2, verse 22, after Jesus’ birth his mother takes him to the temple for the time of purification, which was a ceremony in which the child is laid in a basin where water is poured over the child as a symbolic washing. Remember that in Genesis the result of Eve’s sin is that she will give childbirth in pain and disgrace. The Jews practiced washing the mother and child after the birth to demonstrate the cleansing and purification of that act of Sin . The child was then claimed as a child of God in the Jewish faith.
To see the point of infant Baptism we need to understand the sacrament of Baptism itself in the light of this history, whether for infants, children, or adults. It is the sacrament of incorporation into the community of faith. It means that those baptized are in a true sense in Christ, claimed by him for training and nurture within the community of faith. It means the beginning of the new life in Christ. To be sure, a person may begin this before their baptism. But Baptism is the church’s way of recognizing the profound reality of incorporation into Christ and his community. It means also the public recognition of this identification with Christ. In and through it all, Baptism means incorporation into the new life of the Spirit.
At the baptism of Jesus the new era of grace was begun and announced by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist saw that the Jewish people had fallen away from God’s ways and should no longer be able to see themselves as the children of God. He tells them just because you were born a Jew does not mean you are God’s children. It is how you act because of that birth. He saw the ceremony that they had gone through as only White Washing of the fence if no action was behind it. That is why he was re-baptizing them at the river Jordan when Jesus came. So in Baptism today the Holy Spirit works mysteriously in the heart of the believer and in the community of faith to bring home to people the benefits of the new age. It is now a new purification which calls for a change in life.
But why do we join the vast majority of Christians in recognizing the importance of infant Baptism? Because by birth, as previously practice by the Jewish faith, God has set his mark and seal on each little child and claimed him for himself and his people, and God’s mighty redemptive work in Jesus Christ has already been done in behalf of each infant. The Church celebrates that fact in Baptizing its infants. Again, we believe in infant Baptism because the whole community of faith, along with the family, needs to lift up each little child and claim him for Christ and his Church in advance of the age of accountability, whatever age that might be for that child. In all things, including religion, the infant goes with the family.
All are welcome to participate in this community as we seek God together. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
A Community Church is an ecumenical congregation that grows out of the hopes, needs and aspirations of the community. It is neither planted nor transplanted from the outside, but a native product of the community.
A Community Church serves all the community and claims the whole of the community as its parish. It welcomes all who love Jesus Christ, regardless of other affiliations, and at the Table of the Lord urges all who love the Lord, to come.
A Community Church is self-governing and relies on the Holy Spirit working through its structures. It assumes full responsibility for its life and work at the local level.
A Community Church does not live by itself, but recognizes that it is part of the Holy Church proclaimed in the Apostle’s Creed, and is in fellowship with all other churches proclaiming the Gospel of Christ. It yearns for the unity of all Christendom and labors earnestly for that end.
Our mission is to encourage and equip people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. To accomplish our mission, we strive to fulfill the five Biblical purposes which we believe God gave to every church.
• to glorify God through worship,
• to lead persons into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ,
• to unite Christians in fellowship for spiritual development,
• to make known the gospel of Jesus Christ,
• to equip its members to serve Christ and their neighbors in daily living.
We are a group of people of all ages, races and walks of life – We represent people who have grown up in the Christian faith, those who are exploring, and everything in between. Between 200 and 300 are with us each Sunday.
Our members describe North Bay Community Church in many ways. Here are a few:
• Sometimes reflective, sometimes energetic
• A sense that we’re part of something exciting and bigger than ourselves
• A place where every generation can cultivate a deeper relationship with God
• A place that let’s you take steps toward God and others when you’re ready
• A place kids will drag their parents to come to
• Christ is at the center
• People are honored
• God is taken seriously
• We laugh at ourselves
• Relevant but not shallow
• You don’t have to check your mind out at the door
• All kinds of people feel welcome
• Life is constantly defined by the Bible
• There are no pre-requisites for coming
• Spiritual Growth is normal
• Victories are celebrated
• Surprises happen
• Singles and divorcees feel welcome
• Kids feel important
• It feels safe
• It is challenging
• Deep caring for individuals, each other, the community and world is evident
• Faith is expressed through different art forms (the music is GREAT!)
We seek to make the main thing the main thing. That is, we focus on the essentials of Christian Faith, not the non-essentials.
We are about learning to love God and our neighbors. We desire to see lives, communities and nations transformed. Our hope is that through North Bay Community Church, many people will find a place to belong, discover God’s dream for their lives and holistically grow to the point were they can give back to God and others what was first given to them.
Come to our worship services. Go to one of our many events. Join a small group that is interesting to you. We have so many options. Take the initiative. You will find that we’re very friendly, but we’re not the types to bug you. Or, grab one of us and say: “Hey, I want to get connected here.”
At North Bay Community Church, you will experience incredible diversity in music, including both Contemporary and Traditional. It seems that musically talented and passionate people seem to attract more musically talented and passionate people. God is praised through an eclectic mix of instruments including organ, piano, hand-bells and others. Our musical diversity reflects our commitment to people’s diversity.
You bet. We have lots of doughnuts, goodies and fruit on hand between services. We also serve up a great cup of coffee.
Attend a Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m. or you can email the Church office - northbay1982@gmail.com - with your contact information and we will let you know about the next New Members Orientation Class.
Many years ago, an early church council created a short statement of faith that summarizes the basic beliefs of Christianity. It is called The Apostles’ Creed . On occasion, most Christian churches recite this creed during their worship services as a reminder of the faith we hold in common with Christians around the world and throughout the centuries. It is this Creed that we hold as the core of our beliefs here at North Bay Community Church.
As a Christian Congregation, North Bay Community Church seeks to bring persons of all ages and Christian denominational traditons into continuing life changing experiences through the mind and spirit of Jesus Christ. We believe that the Church is God’s plan for, communicating the Gospel, maintaining Christian love, developing authentic fellowship, celebrating the Sacraments, and studying His Word.
We know it first of all because of Jesus’ character. His enemies constantly looked for something wrong in His life, but without success, for He alone was without sin. We know it also because of His power. He alone could cause a storm to cease or a dead child to come back to life, powers only God could have. We know it especially because of His resurrection, by which He conquered death and hell.
Yes, Jesus was the unique Son of God, but why is it important?
The reason is because only a divine Savior could save us from our sins, and He has, through His death on the cross for us.
The Gospels make it clear that Jesus was absolutely unique, and the reason is because He was the unique Son of God, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. Yes, He was fully human but He was also fully God. Centuries before He was born, the prophets predicted that “they will call him Immanuel, which means, ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). Jesus Himself declared, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). He also said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).
Marriage is a sacred uniting of a man and a women in Holy Matrimony. It is a spiritual, emotional and physical union of two individuals through a covenant with God, in which the two become welded together as husband and wife. Genesis 2:24 says, “A man shall leave his father and mother and be cleaved to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Matthew 19:5,6 says, “The two shall become one…So they are no longer two but one flesh.” So Christian Marriage is much more than a ritual or public ceremony where family and friends are gathered to see us say vows and exchange rings. It is a sacred time of deep reverent action.
Therefore, marriage takes time and preparation. Most people spend more time today on arranging and preparing for the ceremony of the wedding than they do for the actual marriage itself. But marriage goes beyond what happens in the ceremony, to moving into the rest of your life with this person next to you. Since you are one now; How will that last? What will that look like? How will we change? What will keep us “happily ever after?”
Healthy expectations of what marriage is.
A realistic concept of what love is.
A positive attitude and outlook toward life.
The ability to communicate their feelings.
An understanding and acceptance of their differences.
The ability to make decisions/settle arguments together.
Developing a common spiritual foundation and goal.
Marriage does not have to be a struggle. Living happily ever after does not have to be a fairy tale. Although marriage life will always have its difficulties, you can improve your marriage life with certain life skills. The problems of marriage usually develop because of the poor abilities to deal with issues of communication, gender issues, and spiritual differences. In contemplating marriage it is important to involve a commitment to enhancing these skills from the outset.
Part of the requirement for marriage here at North Bay Community Church is to meet with your pastor for three (3) one hour sessions that will be aimed at not whether you should get married but at developing the skills needed to stay married. God has brought you together in a special love. Take the time to develop how you can keep that love forever.
Call the church office (727-600-8279) to set up an appointment.
No date shall be booked on the church calendar without a booking deposit. Booking deposit is 50% of the church fee. Booking deposit will be applied to the total church fee. Booking deposit is not refundable.
Pastors have discretion in “member” determination. However, the member is usually the bride, groom or immediate family.
All fees, except the booking deposit, are to be paid on re-hearsal night.
All weddings require a custodian. The NBCC organist is to be the 1st choice for each wedding. A sound person is required when the sound system is used.
All weddings where the pastors are NOT from NBCC staff shall require Senior Pastor approval before confirming the date on the church calendar.
All fees include counseling and reasonable rehearsal time.
Active Supporting Member Non-Member
Pastor $250.00 Pastor $300.00
Church -0- Church $500.00
Organist $150.00 Organist $150.00
Custodian $50.00 Custodian $100.00
Sound $50.00 Sound $50.00
