Texts printed in bold without 'All' in the margin are spoken by candidates, parents and godparents alone.
This may be read by those present before the service begins.
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God's love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith. The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church.
The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ's death for us. Our 'drowning' in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ's dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit. This reminds us of Jesus' baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there may be a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptized walks in that light for the rest of their lives.
As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God's love.
Jesus said, 'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.'
John 10.10
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you
Alland also with you.
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/candidates
and uphold them in their new life in
Christ?
AllWith 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 president says the Collect, the prayer of the day.
Reader: None
At the end the reader may say
This is the word of the Lord.
AllThanks be to God.
Reader: None
When the Gospel is announced the reader says
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to N.
AllGlory to you, O Lord.
Reader: None
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
AllPraise to you, O Christ.
Preacher: None
A large candle may be lit. 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.
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.
The president may invite parents, godparents and sponsors to sign the candidates with the cross.
When all the candidates have been signed, the president says
Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of
Christ crucified.
AllFight 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.
AllAmen.
The ministers and candidates gather at the baptismal font.
Praise God who made heaven and earth,
Allwho keeps his promise
for ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our
God.
AllIt is right to give
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.
AllAmen.
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?
AllI believe in God, the
Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus
Christ?
AllI 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?
AllI 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.
The president 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.
AllAmen.
The president 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.
AllAmen.
The president and those who have been baptized may return from the font.
A minister addresses the congregation, parents and godparents, and prays for them
There is one Lord, one faith, one
baptism:
N and N, by one Spirit we
are all baptized into one body.
AllWe 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
The peace of the Lord be always with
you
Alland also with you.
The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.
With this bread that we bring
Allwe shall remember Jesus.
With this wine that we bring
Allwe shall remember Jesus.
Bread for his body,
wine for his blood,
gifts from God to his table we bring.
AllWe shall remember Jesus.
The Lord be with you
Alland also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
AllWe lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our
God.
AllIt is right to give thanks and praise.
The president continues the prayer, praising God.
AllHoly, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The prayer continues and may include this acclamation
Great is the mystery of faith:
AllChrist has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
The Eucharistic Prayer ends with
AllOur Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
AllAmen.
AllOur Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
AllThough we are many, we are
one body,
because we all share in one bread.
The president invites the people to receive communion.
Each communicant replies Amen to the words of distribution.
The president may use a post communion
prayer
and then this prayer may be said together
The president or another person may give all candidates a lighted candle. These may be lit from the candle used at the Decision.
When all have received a candle, the president 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.
AllShine as a light in
the world
to the glory of God the Father.
Go in the light and peace of Christ.
AllThanks be to God.
Profession of Faith © 1988 English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC)
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004