BAPTISM OF CHILDREN

Brief Form
 	 	 			
		Preparation			
 
		Some may find the brief words of explanation 
		at the end of this book useful.   (page 16)	 	 			
	 	The Greeting 	 			
 	 	 			
 	 	The minister says 			
 	 	 			
 	 	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.			
 	 	 			
 	 	Words of welcome or introduction may be said.	

 	 	Introduction 	 			
 	 	 			
 	 	The minister may use these or other words		
 	 	 			
 	 	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.	

		The Collect

		The minister says this or some other opening prayer.
 
 	 	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. 			
All	Amen.			

		The Liturgy of the Word			

		A Bible reading from the Gospels is introduced.

 	 	Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.	
All	Glory to you, O Lord.			
 	 	 			
 	 	At the end			
 	 	 			
 	 	This is the Gospel of the Lord.			
All	Praise to you, O Christ.			

		The Commission may be read (page 15)
		or a brief sermon may explain the
		Gospel and the Sacrament of Baptism.

		The Liturgy of Baptism			
 	 	 			
 	 	Presentation of the Candidates	 			
 	
 	 	The minister 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/candidates 
	 	and uphold them in their 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, 			
 	 	draw them by your example into the community of faith 		 	and walk with them in the way of Christ?			
 	 	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?		 	 	With the help of God, we will.		

	 	The Decision	 			

 	 	A large candle may be lit. 
		The minister addresses the candidates directly, 
		or through their parents, godparents and sponsors		 	 	 			

 	 	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 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 each candidate, saying			
 	 	 			
 	 	Christ claims you for his own. 			
 	 	Receive the sign of his cross.			

 	 	The minister may invite parents, godparents and sponsors 
		to sign the candidates with the cross. 

		When all the candidates have been signed, the minister 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.	
 	 	 			
 	 	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. 		
All	Amen.			

	 	Prayer over the Water	 			
 	 	 			
 	 	The ministers and candidates gather at the baptismal font. 
		A canticle, psalm, hymn or litany may be used 	
 	 	 			
	 	The minister 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 thanks and praise.	
 	 	 	
		Father, we give you thanks and praise	
 	 	for your gift of water in creation;
 	 	for your Spirit, sweeping over the waters,
 	 	bringing light and life;
 	 	for your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
 	 	baptized in the river Jordan.
 	 	We bless you for your new creation,
 	 	brought to birth by water and the Spirit,
 	 	and for your grace bestowed upon us your children,
 	 	washing away our sins.
 	 	May your holy and life-giving Spirit
 	 	move upon these waters.
 	 	Restore through them the beauty of your creation,
 	 	and bring those who are baptized
 	 	to new birth in the family of your Church.
 	 	Drown sin in the waters of judgement,
 	 	anoint your children with power from on high,
 	 	and make them one with Christ
 	 	in the freedom of your kingdom.
 	 	For all might, majesty, dominion and power are yours,
 	 	now and for ever.
All	Amen.	
 	 	 	
 	 	Profession of Faith	 	
 	 	 	
 	 	The minister 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. 

 	 	Baptism	 	
  	 	 	
 	 	The minister or another minister dips each candidate in water, 		or pours water on them, saying	
 	 	 	
 	 	N, I baptize you 
		in the name of the Father,	
 	 	and of the Son, 
		and of the Holy Spirit. 	
All	Amen.	
 	 	 	
 	 	If the newly baptized are clothed with a white robe, 
		a hymn or song may be used, and then a minister may say	

 	 	You have been clothed with Christ.	
 	 	As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ.	
 	 
 	 	The minister 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.	

 	 	The minister and those who have been baptized 
		may return from the font.	

		The Prayers

 	 	Faithful and loving God,	
 	 	bless those who care for these children	
 	 	and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith.	
 	 	Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love,	
 	 	and protect their home 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.

 		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.	

		Let us pray with confidence 
		as our Saviour has taught us
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 and Peace 	 	
 	 	 	
 	 	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.	
 	 	 	
 	 	The congregation may greet the newly baptized.
	
 	 	The minister introduces the Peace 
		in these or other suitable words
	
 	 	We are all one in Christ Jesus.	
 	 	We belong to him through faith,	
 	 	heirs of the promise of the Spirit of peace.	
 	 	The peace of the Lord be always with you	
All	and also with you.	
 	 	 	
 	 	A minister may say	

 	 	Let us offer one another a sign of peace.	
 	 	 	
 	 	All may exchange a sign of peace.	

	 	The Sending Out	
	
		Final Collect

		Eternal God, our beginning and our end,
		preserve in your people the new life of baptism;
		as Christ receives us on earth,
		so may he guide us through the trials of this world
		and enfold us in the joy of heaven, 
		where you live and reign, 
		one God for ever and ever. 
All	Amen.

 	 	The Blessing	 	
 	 	 	
 	 	The minister may use this or another suitable blessing. 	 	
 	 	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. 	
All	Amen.

 	 	Giving of a Lighted Candle	 	
 	 	 	
 	 	The minister or another person may give each of the newly 		baptized a lighted candle. 

		These may be lit from the candle used at the Decision.	
 	 	When all the newly baptized have received a candle, the 			minister 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. 	

		The Dismissal 	 	
 	 	 	
 	 	Go in the light and peace of Christ.	
All	Thanks be to God. 	
 	 	 	
 	 	Or from Easter Day to Pentecost  

	Go in the light and peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia 
All	Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia 	

Appendix

Some Suitable Gospel Readings

Matthew 16:24-27

Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? ‘For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.  

Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ 

Mark 1:14-20
 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ 

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea  -  for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.  
John 3:1-8
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ 			

The Commission

We have brought these children to baptism knowing that Jesus died and rose again for them and trusting in the promise that God hears and answers prayer. We have prayed that in Jesus Christ they will know the forgiveness of their sins and the new life of the Spirit. 

As they grow up, they will need the help and encouragement of the Christian community, so that they may learn to know God in public worship and private prayer, follow Jesus Christ in the life of faith, serve their neighbour after the example of Christ, and in due course come to confirmation.

As part of the Church of Christ, we all have a duty to support them by prayer, example and teaching. As their parents and godparents, you have the prime responsibility for guiding and helping them in their early years. This is a demanding task for which you will need the help and grace of God. Therefore let us now pray for grace in guiding these children in the way of faith.

Pastoral Introduction 
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith. The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church. 
The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit, as Jesus was at his baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there may be a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptized walks in that light for the rest of their lives. As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God’s love.
				Jesus said,
				‘I came that they may have life, 
				and have it abundantly.’
							John 10.10