Welcome to this special occasion, it is wonderful to have you here today to support those being baptised, and their families.

We hope you enjoy the service, the minister will talk you through what is happening. If there is something to do or join in with, they will let you know.

There are some words to join in with, they are printed in bold like this. The minister will guide you when to say them. Sometimes there are instructions explaining what is happening, they are printed in red like this. The minister will explain what is going on.

Today we give thanks for this special person who is being baptised today, and ask for God’s blessing as they journey through life. We remember how much God loves us through our whole lives, and we welcome them into our community, and into the Church.

As you pray for them, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God’s love.

The Gathering

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all
and also with you.

Words of welcome may be said.

Introduction & Opening Prayer

The minister introduces the baptism

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.
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

At the end the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

A short talk may follow

Presentation of the Candidates

EITHER:
At the baptism of young children, you will be asked

Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Do not stop them’.
We thank God for N who has come to be baptized today. Christ
loves them and welcomes them into his Church.
Will you support these children as they begin their journey of faith?
We will.
Will you help them to live and grow within God’s family?
We will.

The minister then speaks to the parents and godparents

God knows each of us by name and we are his.
Parents and godparents, you speak for N and N today.
Will you pray for them,
and help them to follow Christ?
We will.

OR:
Candidates able to answer for themselves

Do you wish to be baptized?
I do.

The minister speaks to the whole congregation

We thank God for N and N who have come to be baptized today.
Christ loves them and welcomes them into his Church.
Will you support them on their journey of faith?
We will.

The Decision

The parents and godparents (and / or candidate) are asked questions

We all wander far from God and lose our way:
Christ comes to find us and welcomes us home.
In baptism we respond to his call.

Do you turn away from sin?
I do.

Do you reject evil?
I do.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I do.

Do you trust in him as Lord?
I do.

Signing with the Cross

A minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate.

Christ claims you for his own. Receive the sign of his cross.
Do not be ashamed of Christ. You are his for ever.
Stand bravely with him against all the powers of evil,
and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.
May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness,
and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.
Amen

Prayer over the Water

The ministers and candidates gather at the baptismal font.

We praise you, loving Father, for the gift of your Son Jesus.
He was baptized in the River Jordan,
where your Spirit came upon him
and revealed him as the Son you love.
He sent his followers to baptize all who turn to him.
Now, Father, we ask you to bless this water,
that those who are baptized in it
may be cleansed in the water of life, and, filled with your Spirit,
may know that they are loved as your
children, safe in Christ for ever.
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?
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?
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?
I believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church.
This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Baptism

If the candidate(s) can answer for themselves, the president may say to each
one

N, is this your faith?

Each candidate answers in their own words, or says

This is my faith.

The minister pours water on each candidate saying

N, I baptise you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
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.
Amen.

The Welcome

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism:
N and N, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.
We welcome you into the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you.

Prayers & Lord’s Prayer

As your children, born again in Christ, we say together
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,
forever and ever.
Amen.

Sending Out

Giving a Lighted Candle

The minister may give all the newly baptised a lighted candle.
When all 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.
Shine as a light in the world,
to the glory of God the Father.

The 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 among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

The Dismissal

Go in the light and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

© Archbishops Council 2000