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Parish of Hutton
The Baptism of Children
Welcome and Introduction
Priest In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
Priest 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.
Priest Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us
that to enter the kingdom of heaven
we must be born again of water and the Spirit,
and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth.
Here we are washed by the Holy Spirit
and made clean.
Here we are clothed with Christ,
dying to sin that we may live his risen life.
As children of God, we have a new dignity
and God calls us to fullness of life.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to 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. Amen.
Bible Reading
Sermon
Presentation of the Candidates
The Priest addresses the whole congregation:
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 these children and uphold them in their new life in Christ?
All With the help of God, we will.
The Priest 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, draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?
Reply With the help of God, we will.
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?
Reply With the help of God, we will.
The Decision
The Priest addresses the candidates through their parents
and godparents
In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask:
Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
Reply I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
Reply I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
Reply I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
Reply I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
Reply I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
Reply I come to Christ.
Signing with the Cross
The Priest makes the sign of the cross with holy oil on the forehead of each candidate, saying
Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of his cross.
When all the candidates have been signed, the Priest says
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.
Priest May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, restore in you the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ. Amen.
Prayer over the Water
The Priest stands before the water of baptism and says
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 him 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 baptize into his fellowship those who come to him in faith.
Now sanctify this water
that, by the power of your Holy Spirit,
they 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
The Priest addresses the congregation
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.
The Baptism
The Priest pours water on each candidate, saying
N, I baptize you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When all are baptised, the Priest 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. Amen.
The Prayers
Priest God our creator, we thank you for the wonder of new life and for the mystery of human love. We give thanks for all whose support and skill surround and sustain the beginning of life. As Jesus knew love and discipline within a human family, may these children grow in strength and wisdom.
Lord, in your mercy
All Hear our prayer
Priest God our Father, you gave Jesus an earthly home at Nazareth with Mary and Joseph. Bless the parents (and families) of these children that their home may be a place of love, security and truth.
Lord, in your mercy
All Hear our prayer
Priest Faithful and loving God, bless the godparents of these children, and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith. May they support these children with their prayers and their example that they may grow in faith and knowledge of you.
Lord, in your mercy
All Hear our prayer
Priest God of grace and life,
in your love you have given us
a place among your people;
keep us faithful to our baptism,
and prepare us for that glorious day
when the whole creation will be made perfect
in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Priest As your children, born again in Christ, we say:
All Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Welcome
[If the newly-baptised are not to be welcomed at the Family Service, the following is said:
Priest There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism: N and 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.]
Sending Out
The Priest blesses the congregation, saying
The God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,
establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
The Priest gives each of the newly baptized a lighted candle, and says
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.
Priest Go in the light and peace of Christ.
All Thanks be to God.
© The Archbishops’ Council 2000
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