Baptism and Confirmation at the Order for Celebration of Holy Communion
At the entry of the ministers, a hymn may be sung.
THE GREETING
The bishop 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.
Peace be with you.
And also with you.
The bishop may introduce the service.
Gloria in excelsis may be used.
THE COLLECT
The bishop 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 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
PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES
The candidates may be presented to the congregation. Where appropriate, they may be presented by their godparents or sponsors. If there are infants for baptism, the direction in Note 1 is followed.
The bishop asks those who are candidates for baptism
Do you wish to be baptized?
I do.
The bishop asks the candidates for confirmation who have been
baptized
Have you been baptized in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
I have.
The bishop asks all the candidates
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 bishop 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 candidates and
uphold them in their life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.
If children are to be baptized, the questions to parents and
godparents in the service for Holy Baptism are
used.
THE DECISION
A large candle may be lit. The bishop 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.
Where there are strong pastoral reasons, the alternative form of the Decision may be used.
SIGNING WITH THE CROSS
The bishop or another minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate for baptism, saying
Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of his cross.
The bishop may invite their sponsors to sign the candidates
with the sign of the cross.
When all the candidates for baptism have been signed, the
bishop says to them
Do not be ashamed to confess the
faith of Christ crucified.
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.
The bishop says
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 ministers and candidates for baptism and confirmation gather at the baptismal font. A canticle, psalm, hymn or a litany may be used.
The bishop stands before the water of baptism and says (optional seasonal and responsive forms are provided in the appendices to the service for Holy Baptism)
Praise God who made heaven and
earth,
who keeps his promise for ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
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 bishop 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.
Where there are strong pastoral reasons the Alternative Profession of Faith may be used.
BAPTISM
The bishop may address each candidate for baptism by name, saying
N, is this your faith?
and candidates answer in their own words, or
This is my faith.
The bishop 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. Amen.
If the newly baptized are clothed with a white robe, a hymn or
song may be used, and a minister may say
You have been clothed with Christ.
As many as are baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.
If those who have been baptized were not signed with the cross immediately after the Decision, the bishop signs each one now.
The bishop 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 candidates for confirmation who have previously been
baptized may come forward to the font and sign themselves with
water, or the bishop may sprinkle them.
Then the bishop 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 bishop and the candidates gather at the place of
confirmation. A hymn, chant or litany may be used.
CONFIRMATION
The bishop stands before those who are to be confirmed, and says
Our help is in the name of the
Lord
who has made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and for ever. Amen.
The bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and
says
Almighty and ever-living God,
you have given these your servants new birth
in baptism by water and the Spirit,
and have forgiven them all their sins.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord.
Amen.
The bishop addresses each candidate by name
N, God has called you by name and made you his own.
He then lays his hand on the head of each, saying
Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit. Amen.
The bishop invites the congregation to pray for all those on
whom hands have been laid
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 bishop 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. It is appropriate that the newly baptized and confirmed take their part in leading the prayers. The prayers provided in the service for Holy Baptism may be used.
THE WELCOME AND PEACE
The bishop may address the newly baptized
There is one Lord, one faith, one
baptism.
N and N, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one
body.
We welcome you in the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you.
The congregation may greet the newly baptized.
The bishop 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.
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 of 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 BLESSING
The bishop 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.
GIVING OF A LIGHTED CANDLE
A hymn may be sung.
The bishop or another person may give all candidates a lighted candle. These candles may be lit from the candle used at the Decision.
When all have received a candle, the bishop 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 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 bishop may lead the newly baptized and confirmed through the church.
©
The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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