Baptism
For many centuries
parents who have counted themselves members of the Christian Church have brought
their children to be baptised. When a child is baptised (or christened, both
words mean the same thing) s/he is welcomed into the
household of God and made a member of the church. It is the start of a journey.
The
people who were baptised in the time of Jesus were adults. However, as time passed, parents asked that their children might also be
baptised and this custom was established. Children were baptised on the
understanding that their parents would bring them up in the faith of Christ.
The
church baptises babies and young children aware that the parents and godparents
will not always be fully involved in the life of the church – but on the
understanding that parents and godparents take seriously the opening of the life
of the child to the touch of God. In the baptism service parents and godparents promise to bring up the
child to follow Jesus, and to show him/her the right way to live by their own
example. The church community welcomes the child
and holds him/her in their prayers. The child receives the love and shared
faith of the whole people of God.
Will you baptise my baby?
This
is a question often asked and the answer is yes, if you live in the parish;
you can check the parish boundaries by phoning the
Administrator at the Parish Office.
How do you arrange a baptism?
We like to meet you,
and invite you to come to a Family Service which gives you the
opportunity to find out more about us. You need to complete
an application form available from the Administrator at the Parish Office, and
the Rector will arrange to visit you.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge
for a baptism, but as in all our services a collection is taken which is an
opportunity for you to give to the work of the church.
A prayer for your child
God of love,
May this child grow
to love, to worship and serve you
And bring life and
joy to the world.
Amen
THE BAPTISM SERVICE
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.
Minister to parents
and godparents:
By what name do you want
this child known?
Minister to child:
May your name forever be written on
the palm of God’s hand
and in the book of life.
Faith is the gift of God to his people. In
baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling. People
of God, will you welcome this child and uphold him/her in his/her new life in
Christ?
All: With the help of God, we
will.
THE DECISION
The Minister addresses
the child through his/her parents, godparents and sponsors
Therefore I ask: 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 Minister makes the
sign of the cross on the forehead of the child, saying:
Christ claims you for his own. Receive the sign of his cross. Do not be
ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
All: Fight valiantly as a
disciple of Christ, against sin, the world and the devil,
and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life. Amen.
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.
Loving God, bless this water for our use in baptism, and bless the life of this
child. Walk with him/her through good times and through times of change to the
end of his/her life. Amen.
PROFESSION OF FAITH
Let us affirm, together with these who are being baptized, our common faith in
Jesus Christ.
Do
you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one
for whom we exist?
All: I believe and trust in him.
Do
you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our human nature, died for us and
rose again?
All: I believe and trust in him.
Do
you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of
God and makes Christ known in the world.
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.
BAPTISM
N,
I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
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.
N
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 life, and to
bring you safely to heaven. 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. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
As
our Saviour taught us, so we pray
All: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in
heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we
forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver
us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and
for ever. Amen.
WELCOME
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism: N, by one Spirit we are all
baptized into one body.
All: We welcome you into the
fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly Father; we welcome
you.
THE GIVING OF A LIGHTED
CANDLE
God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and has given us a place with
the saints in light. 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.
BLESSING
May the God of hope fill us with the joy and peace in believing through the
power of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
