This is the Baptism Service we use in full in our Benefice
THE UPPER WAVENEY BENEFICE
Bressingham, Fersfield, North Lopham,
Roydon and South Lopham
www.upperwaveneybenefice.com
Preparation
The Greeting
The president may say
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 hymn may be sung
The Collect (A prayer)
The Reading
At the end the reader may say
This is the word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
A Talk
Presentation of the Candidates
The candidates may be presented to the congregation. Where appropriate, they may be presented by their godparents or sponsors.
The president 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 president 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 (Baptismal Promises)
The president 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 reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.
Signing with the Cross
The president or another 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.
When all the candidates have been signed, the president says
N/. 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.
A hymn may be sung
Prayer Asking For God’s Blessing On The Water
The president 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.
The prayer over the water follows ending with Amen.
Profession of Faith (What Christians believe)
The president addresses the congregation
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with these candidates the faith of the Church.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
All: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
All: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Baptism or Christening
The president or another minister dips each candidate in water,
or pours water on them, saying:
N,
All: Amen.
If the newly baptized are clothed with a white robe,
then a minister may say
You have been clothed with Christ.
As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
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 president and those who have been baptized may return from the font and a hymn may be sung
Commission
Prayers of Intercession
Ending with the Lord’s Prayer
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 president introduces the Peace
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.
The Sending Out
Giving of a Lighted Candle
The president may give the candidate a lighted candle.
When all have received a candle, the person 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.
A hymn may be sung
The Blessing and Dismissal
Go in the light and peace of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
The service takes about 35-45 minutes