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Baptism Service.
This introduction may be used
PREPARATION
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you all
All and also with you.
A prayer to gather us ready for the service
Heavenly Father,
by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to all your faithful people new
life in the water of baptism.
Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may
serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son,
Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy
Spirit now and for ever.
All Amen.
A gathering of readings about Baptism.
God is the creator of all things, and by the birth of children he gives to
parents a share in the work and joy of creation. But we who are born of
earthly parents need to be born again. For in the Gospel Jesus tells us that
unless a man has been born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
And so God gives us the way to a second birth, a new creation and life in
union with him.
Baptism is the sign and seal of this new birth. In St Matthew's Gospel we
read of the risen Christ commanding his followers to make disciples of all
nations and to baptise men everywhere; and in the Acts of the Apostles we
read of St Peter preaching in these words: 'Repent and be baptised in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and your children and to
all that are afar off, everyone whom the Lord calls to him.'
In obedience to this same command we ourselves were baptised and now bring these
children to baptism.
Minister says to all
present:
Faith is the Gift
of God to all people, so I ask all gathered here, People of God will you
welcome n and uphold n in new life in Christ?
All With the help of God, we will.
The minister then says to the parents and godparents
Parents and Godparents the church receives these children with joy.
Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith. Will you pray for
them, and draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with
them into the way of Christ?
All With the help of God, we will.
Duties of parents and godparents:
In Baptism these children begin their journey in faith. You speak for
them today. Will you care for them, and help them to take their place
within the life and worship of Christ's Church?
All With the help of God, we will.
Parents and Godparents bring their sheets and
come to stand others sit.
THE DECISION (Questions to
parents and godparents)
In Baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvelous light. To
follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
I ask you these questions which you must answer for yourselves and for these
children.
Do you turn to Christ? I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins? I repent of my sins.
Do you renounce evil? I renounce evil.
SIGNING WITH THE CROSS
the sign of the cross is made using the oil of baptism by
minister, parents and godparents
Name I sign you with sign of
the cross parents and godparents follow.
(Name) we have
signed you with the cross, the sign of Christ.
Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
All Fight valiantly under the banner of Christ against sin, the world,
and evil,
and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.
+ May Almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness,
Restore you in the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and
obedience of Christ. Amen.
The Water of Baptism. We may go to the font.
People may stand and face font.
We bring forward our water and our shell,
Prayer over the Water
Praise God who made heaven and earth, All
Who keeps his promise for ever.
Let us give thanks to
the Lord our God. All It is right to give
thanks and praise.
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water to sustain, refresh and
cleanse all life. Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of
creation. Through water you led the children of Israel
from slavery in Egypt
to freedom in the Promised Land. In water your Son Jesus received the baptism
of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to
lead us from the death of sin to newness of life.
We thank you, Father,
for the water of baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it
we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son, we baptise into his fellowship
those who come to him in faith.
Bless this water that,
by the power of your Holy Spirit, all your servants washed in it may be
cleansed from sin and born again. Renewed in your image, may they walk by the
light of faith and continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our
Lord; to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory, now and
for ever. Amen.
PROFESSION OF
FAITH We stand the president addresses us all
Let us all affirm together our common faith in Jesus Christ
Do you believe and trust in God the Father, Creator of the world?
All I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and
trust in his Son Jesus Christ, who redeemed mankind?
All I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and
trust in his Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God?
All I believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of
the Church
All This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
THE BAPTISM
The priest baptises each child saying
Name, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
The
minister of baptism says
May God, who has
received you by baptism into his Church, pour upon you the riches of his
grace, that within the company of Christ's pilgrim people you may daily be renewed
by his anointing Spirit, and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.
All Amen.
A LIGHTED
CANDLE, is received by Godparent on behalf of Name
(Name)
You
have received the light of Christ, walk in this light all the days of your
life
All Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.
Return
to front of church.
THE COMMISSION
let us now pray for
grace in guiding these children in the way of faith.
Sit or kneel.
Faithful
and loving God,
bless those who care for name, especially... Parents/Godparents
Grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith.
Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love, and protect their home(s)
from all evil.
Fill them with the light of your presence
and establish them in the joy of your kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Insert any prayer
written or read by family
We pray for ourselves
God of grace and life,
in your love you have given us all
a place among your people;
keep us faithful to our own baptism, and prepare us for that glorious day
when the whole creation will be made perfect in your Son our Saviour Jesus
Christ.
Amen.
name
Today
God has touched you with his love
and given you a place among his people.
God promises to be with you in joy and in sorrow,
to be your guide in your life.
In baptism God invites you on a life-long journey.
Together with all God's people you must explore the way of Jesus and grow in
friendship with God, in love for his people, and in serving others.
With us you will listen to the word of God and receive the gifts of God.
Eucharist and Family service allow for intercessions for the day led by lay
person.
At
morning worship We say together the lords prayer.
THE WELCOME
The Priest and congregation representing the whole Church welcome the
newly baptised
Name God has received you
by baptism into his Church.
We welcome you into the Lord's Family.
We are members together of the body of Christ;
We are children of the same heavenly Father;
We are inheritors together of the kingdom
of God.
We welcome you.
Followed
by the Peace when we all in the congregation say “Peace be with you” to those
around us.
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