St. Augustine, a “church father” who lived in the late fourth and early fifth centuries AD, called a sacrament “an outward and visible sign of an inward and invisible grace.” In the Presbyterian/Reformed tradition, there are only two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (or the eucharist or communion or holy communion). The “outward and visible signs” of baptism are the font and water and the “outward and visible signs” of the Lord’s Supper are the table, bread, and cup.

We only recognize these two sacraments because Christ only specifically commanded or instituted these two (see, for example, Matthew 28:16-20 and Luke 22:14-30). We believe that God’s Spirit is uniquely at work in both of these sacraments, so that the risen, living Christ is really (though not literally) present to us in them. That’s the “inward and invisible grace” of these two holy mysteries that are more to be experienced than totally understood.

At Salem Presbyterian Church, we baptize infants, children, and adults, welcoming them into our family of faith and into the Body of Christ, the church universal. We celebrate the Lord’s Supper at least once a month (more than that in the seasons of Advent and Lent) at our 11:00 AM worship service on Sundays (10:00 AM in the summer months). All who place their trust in the Lord are invited to partake of the Lord’s Supper, to enjoy this spiritual sustenance for the journey of faith and life. To learn more, please contact one of the pastors.