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Affirmation of Baptismal Faith at the Order for Celebration of Holy Communion
including Provision in the Absence of the Bishop

Affirmation of Baptismal Faith does not of necessity require the presence of the bishop and may be presided over by a priest.

Preparation

At the entry of the ministers, a hymn may be sung.

THE GREETING

The president greets the people, using these or other suitable words

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever.  Amen.


or from Easter Day to Pentecost

Alleluia Christ is risen.
He is risen indeed. Alleluia.


There is one body and one spirit.
There is one hope to which we were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all.


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Gloria in excelsis may be used.

The Presentation of the Candidates may take place here or after the Sermon.

THE COLLECT

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words Let us pray or a more specific bidding.

The Collect of the Day is normally used on Sundays and on Principal Festivals. On other occasions a seasonal Collect from the service for Holy Baptism or this prayer is used

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.

The Liturgy of the Word

The readings of the day are normally used on Sundays and Principal Festivals. For other occasions a Table of Readings is provided.

Either one or two readings from Scripture may precede the Gospel reading. At the end of each the reader may say

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

The psalm or canticle follows the first reading; other hymns and songs may be used between the readings.

GOSPEL READING

An acclamation may herald the Gospel reading.

When the Gospel is announced the reader says

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord.


At the end

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

Affirmation of Baptismal Faith

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

The candidates may be presented to the congregation.

The president asks those affirming their faith

Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
I have.


Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
I am.


Testimony by the candidates may follow.

The president addresses the whole congregation

People of God, will you [welcome these candidates and] uphold them in their life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

THE DECISION *

* If pastorally appropriate

A large candle may be lit. The president addresses all the candidates

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.

The president may say

May God who has given you the desire to follow Christ
give you strength to continue in the Way.  Amen.

The ministers and those who are to affirm their baptismal faith gather at the baptismal font. A canticle, psalm, hymn or a litany may be used.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

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?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.


Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
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?
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.

DECLARATION


Those who are to affirm their baptismal faith stand before the president, who says

I call upon those who are affirming their baptismal faith to renew their commitment to Jesus Christ.


The candidates face the people and make this declaration

I answer the call of God my creator.
I trust in Jesus Christ as my Saviour.
I seek new life from the Holy Spirit.


The congregation responds

God, who has called you, is faithful.
Rejoice in your baptism into Jesus Christ.
Walk with us in the life of the Spirit.


The candidates may come forward to the font and sign themselves with water, or the president may sprinkle them.

Then the president says

Almighty God,
we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all who have been baptized into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism,
and so make us ready for that day
when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.  Amen.

The president and the candidates gather before the congregation. A hymn, chant or litany may be used.

AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISMAL FAITH

The president extends his/her hands towards those who seek to affirm their baptismal faith and says

God of mercy and love,
in baptism you welcome the sinner
and restore the dead to life.
You create a clean heart in those who repent,
and give your Holy Spirit to those who ask.
Grant that these your servants may grow
into the fullness of the stature of Christ.
Equip them with the gifts of your Holy Spirit,
and fill them with faith in Jesus Christ
and with love for all your people,
in the service of your kingdom.  Amen.


The president lays his/her hand on each one, saying

N, may God renew his life within you
that you may confess his name this day and for ever.  Amen.


The president invites the congregation to pray for those who have affirmed their faith

Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace,
that they may continue yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more
until they come to your everlasting kingdom.  Amen.

COMMISSION

The president may use this Commission

Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God.


Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will.


Will you persevere in resisting evil,
and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.


Will you proclaim by word and example
the good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will.


Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will.


Will you acknowledge Christ's authority over human society,
by prayer for the world and its leaders,
by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
With the help of God, I will.


May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,
that you may be rooted and grounded in love
and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.  Amen.


The Prayers of Intercession may follow. The prayers provided in the service of Holy Baptism may be used.

PEACE

The president introduces the Peace in these or other suitable words (seasonal forms are provided in the service for Holy Baptism)

God has made us one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us
and, as a pledge of what is to come,
has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.


A minister may say

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.


All may exchange a sign of peace.

If the Liturgy of the Sacrament does not follow immediately, the service continues with suitable prayers, ending with the Lord's Prayer and the Sending Out. One or more of these prayers may be used.

Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Order for Celebration of Holy Communion continues with

PREPARATION OF THE TABLE

TAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

This Short Proper Preface may be used

And now we give you thanks,
because by water and the Holy Spirit
you have made us a holy people in Jesus Christ our Lord;
you raise us to new life in him
and renew in us the image of your glory.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

BREAKING OF THE BREAD

GIVING OF COMMUNION

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The authorized Post Communion for the Day is normally used on Sundays and on Principal Festivals. On other occasions a seasonal prayer from the service for Holy Baptism or this prayer is used

God of mercy,
by whose grace alone we are accepted
and equipped for your service:
stir up in us the gifts of your Holy Spirit
and make us worthy of our calling;
that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit
in love and joy and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The Sending Out

THE BLESSING

The president may use a seasonal blessing (from the service for Holy Baptism), or another suitable blessing, or

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 DISMISSAL

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

From Easter to Pentecost Alleluia Alleluia may be added after both the versicle and response.

© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are being published by Church House Publishing.