The Order for Celebration of Holy Communion with Baptism and Confirmation together with Affirmation of Baptismal Faith and Reception into the Communion of the Church of England
Service Outline and Notes
Service Outline
Preparation
Greeting
Gloria in
excelsis
The Collect
The Liturgy of the Word
Readings and Psalm
Gospel Reading
Sermon
The Liturgy of Initiation
Presentation of the Candidates
Decision
Signing with the Cross
Prayer over the Water
Profession of Faith
Baptism
Declarations
Confirmation
Affirmation of
Baptismal Faith
Reception into
the Communion of the Church of England
Commission
Prayers of Intercession
Welcome and Peace
The Liturgy of the Sacrament
Preparation of the Table
Taking of the Bread and Wine
Eucharistic Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Breaking of the Bread
Giving of Communion
Prayer after Communion
The Sending Out
Blessing
Giving of a
Lighted Candle
Dismissal
1 Ordering of the Service
The service is presided over by the bishop and the parts
reserved to the bishop are indicated. All other parts may be
delegated. This may include delegating the administration of
the water of baptism to another lawful minister.
The ordering of the service should take into account the
arrangement of the building and its furnishings and the most
appropriate way of involving those present. The places where
baptism and confirmation are administered should be determined
after consultation between the bishop and the parish priest.
Nevertheless, wherever possible all candidates should make the
profession of baptismal faith (even when there are no
candidates for baptism) at the place of baptism, the
font.
Provision is made for the baptism of those not able to answer
for themselves. When these are children baptized at the same
time as their parents, it is fitting that they are baptized
immediately after their own parents. When members of a family
are baptized at the same time, the questions at the Decision
may be answered in the form 'We reject...'
For the ordering of the service when there are only candidates
for some of the different elements in it, see the provision here.
2 Affirmation of Baptismal Faith
The provision for Affirmation of Baptismal Faith is intended for those who are already baptized and confirmed and who, after preparation and instruction, come to make a public act of commitment. It is not intended for use when an entire congregation renews its baptismal vows, for which separate provision is made.
3 Testimony
If candidates are to give testimony after the Presentation, it is important that this should be appropriate in length and style and not detract from the rest of the service. The bishop may, at his discretion, allow for testimony to be made at an earlier point in the service before the sermon. Testimony may be given in written form.
4 Hymns and Silence
If occasion requires, hymns may be sung and silence may be kept at points other than those which are indicated.
5 Collect, Readings and other Variable Texts
The collects, readings and variable prayers provided in the rite and its appendices are intended for use when the service does not form the usual Sunday service. Where baptism, confirmation, affirmation and reception take place in a usual Sunday service, the collect and readings for the Sunday should normally be used, especially on Sundays between the First Sunday of Advent and the Presentation of Christ, and between the First Sunday of Lent and Trinity Sunday.
6 Use of Oil
Where it has been agreed that oil will be used, pure olive oil, reflecting the practice of athletes preparing for a contest, may be used for the Signing with the Cross. Oil mixed with fragrant spices (traditionally called chrism), expressing the blessings of the messianic era and the richness of the Holy Spirit, may be used to accompany the confirmation and/or affirmation. Use of chrism at the prayer after baptism is not appropriate if confirmation follows immediately. It is appropriate that the oil should have been consecrated by the bishop.
7 Signing with the Cross
At the Signing with the Cross, after the bishop or other minister has made the sign using the words provided, sponsors may also be invited to make the sign of the cross. It is sufficient if the people join in and say their part once only, when all the candidates have been signed. The possibility of signing with the cross at the prayer after baptism is provided for, but if this is done it should be accompanied by the text provided at that part of the service, not the text provided for the Signing with the Cross after the Decision. If signing takes place after the baptism it must follow the administration of water as a separate act.
8 Conditional Baptism
If it is not certain whether a person has already been baptized with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, then the usual service of baptism is used, but the form of words at the baptism shall be
N, if you have not already been baptized, I baptize you in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
9 Profession of Faith
The whole congregation joins in the Apostles' Creed at the Profession of Faith.
10 Clothing
Provision is made for clothing after the baptism. This may be a practical necessity where dipping is the mode of baptism employed; the text provided draws on ancient tradition, linking practical necessity and scriptural imagery.
11 Prayers of Intercession
The forms of prayer provided in the service for Holy Baptism may be used for the Prayers of Intercession.
12 The Blessing
When the bishop presides, the blessing may be preceded by the following
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.
13 Giving of a Lighted Candle
The Paschal candle, or another large candle, may be lit at the Decision and individual candles may be lit from it and given to candidates, including the newly confirmed, as part of the Sending Out. The giving of lighted candles to the newly baptized may take place at an earlier stage in the rite after the administration of baptism, in which case candles are not given to the newly confirmed.
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The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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