| Supplementary Texts | |||
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Liturgical Greetings
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| In the name of Jesus who was born to be our Saviour, Christ the Lord, we welcome you. Grace, mercy and peace be with you |
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All
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and also with you. | ||
| (or) | |||
| The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you |
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All
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and also with you. | ||
| (or) | |||
| The Lord be with you | |||
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All
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and also with you. | ||
| One of these, or another suitable passage from the Bible, is read. | |||
| Exodus 20.12 | |||
| Isaiah 9.2,6-7 | |||
| Psalm 20 | |||
| Psalm 128 | |||
| Psalm 139.7-18 | |||
| Matthew 1.18-25 | |||
| Matthew 7.24-27 | |||
| Matthew 18.1-5 | |||
| Matthew 18.10-14 | |||
| Mark 10.13-16 | |||
| Luke 1.39-45 | |||
| Luke 2.22-24 | |||
| Luke 2.33-40 | |||
| John 1.9-14 | |||
| Ephesians 3.14-21 | |||
| Ephesians 6.1-4 | |||
| 1 John 2.12-14 | |||
| Additional prayers may include the following or other suitable prayers. | |||
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1
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For the child/children | ||
| God our Father, we pray for this child that in due time he/she may be received by baptism into the family of your Church, and become an inheritor of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| For the home and family | |||
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2
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Heavenly Father, | ||
| whose blessed Son shared at
Nazareth the life of an earthly home: bless the home of this child, and help all the family to live together in your love. Teach them to serve you and each other, and make them always ready to show your love to those in need; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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3
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Father in heaven, bless these parents, | ||
| that they may cherish their
child; make them wise and understanding, to help him/her as he/she grows, and surround this family with the light of your truth and the warmth of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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4
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God our Father, we pray to
you for all who have the care of this child. |
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| Guide them with your Holy
Spirit, that they may bring him/her up in the ways of truth and love. Through their care enable him/her to grow in grace and become daily more like your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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5
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For the father | ||
| Heavenly Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus, the child of Mary, to the care of Joseph, an earthly father. Bless N [this man] as he cares for his family. Give him strength and wisdom, tenderness and patience; support him in the work he has to do, protecting those who look to him, as we look to you for love and salvation, through Jesus Christ our rock and defender. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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6
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For grandparents and other relatives | ||
| Father God, from whom every
family in earth and heaven is named, we thank you for the rich variety of the families you have created for us, and for the relationships which we see and enjoy within them. Help us to respect and learn from each other, that we may come to maturity in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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7
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For brothers and sisters | ||
| Living God, we pray for N's brothers and sisters and for all whose lives will be changed by his/her arrival; grant them friendship and love that their home may be an image of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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8
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After a difficult birth | ||
| Loving Father, you have turned pain into joy by the birth of N [this child]. May N [this mother], remembering no longer her anguish, trust you in all things. As she asks for all she would receive, may she discover that in you her joy is complete; through Jesus your Son. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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9
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For health workers | ||
| Father almighty, we give you
thanks for all concerned with the care of N [this mother] and the safe birth of N [her child]. We pray for the doctors and nurses, midwives and health visitors, and all who will support the health and welfare of this family in the coming years. May they be filled with your love, moved by your compassion and supported by your presence. We ask this in Jesus' name. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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10
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When a child is adopted | ||
| O God of love, you have made us your children by adoption and grace; as N becomes a member of this family bind them together by your grace, and give them wisdom, joy and faith, that together they may grow into your love and serve your purposes of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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11
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For the birth parents of an adopted child | ||
| Heavenly Father, rich in
goodness and mercy, look with your love on N's natural father and mother. Keep them in your good care and grant them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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12
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When a child has special needs | ||
| Living God, creator of us
all, we thank you for entrusting N into the special care of N and N. Give them and all who surround them wisdom and understanding, courage and patience; give them grace to put aside fear and anxiety and to fulfil your purposes; fill their hearts with your unfailing love, that N may grow up secure in giving and receiving love and in the enjoyment of your presence, to enrich our lives and the lives of others in ways beyond our imagining, in Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| Notes | |||
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1
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To make it clear that the service is one of thanksgiving and not a Baptism, a register shall be kept recording the names of children for whom this thanksgiving service has been conducted, and the family should be given a certificate. | ||
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2
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The service should be adapted when only one parent is present or to suit particular needs. | ||
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3
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When several children (from one or more families) have been brought for thanksgiving and blessing, the prayer here may be said for each child or for each family or for all the children, as is most appropriate. The names of the parents and of the child may be used in the prayer for the parents here. | ||
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4
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Provision is made in the service for supporting friends or relatives to make a commitment to the child and the family. It may be appropriate for them to stand with the family at the thanksgiving. One of them may present the child to the minister, and informal words may be said. | ||
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5
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Hymns, songs or carols may be sung at points other than those indicated. If occasion requires, the sermon may be omitted. | ||