THE GREETING

The Revd Mary says:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you all
All: and also with you.

Words of welcome or introduction may be said.

The Revd Mary may use the prayer of thanksgiving.

INTRODUCTION

The Revd Mary may use these or other words:

Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us
that to enter the kingdom of heaven
we must be born again of water and the Spirit,
and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth.
Here we are washed by the Holy Spirit and made clean.
Here we are clothed with Christ,
dying to sin that we may live his risen life.
As children of God, we have a new dignity
and God calls us to fullness of life.

The Gloria in excelsis may be used.

THE COLLECT

The Revd Mary introduces a period of silent prayer with the words: 'Let us pray' or a more specific bidding.

Either the Collect of the Day, or this Collect is said

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.
All: Amen.

READINGS

TALK

THE LITURGY OF BAPTISM

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

The candidates may be presented to the congregation. Where appropriate, they may be presented by their godparents or sponsors.

The Revd Mary asks those candidates for baptism who are able to answer for themselves: Do you wish to be baptised?
Candidate: I do.

Testimony by the candidate(s) may follow.

The Revd Mary 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?
All: With the help of God, we will.

At the baptism of children, the Revd Mary 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?
Parents and Godparents: 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?
Parents and Godparents: With the help of God, we will.

THE DECISION

A large candle may be lit. The Revd Mary 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.

Signing with the Cross

The Revd Mary 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.

She may then invite parents, godparents and sponsors to sign the candidates with the cross. When all the candidates have been signed, the Revd Mary says

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
All: 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.

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.
All: Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE WATER

The Revd Mary and candidates gather at the baptismal font. A canticle, psalm, hymn or litany may be used.

The Revd Mary stands before the water of baptism and says (optional seasonal and responsive forms are provided)

Praise God who made heaven and earth,
All who keeps his promise for ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All: It 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 baptise 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.
All: Amen.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

The Revd Mary 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?
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
All: 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?
Al:l 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.
All: Amen.


BAPTISM

If the candidate(s) can answer for themselves, the Revd Mary may say to each one:

N, is this your faith?

Each candidate answers in their own words, or

This is my faith.

The Revd Mary dips each candidate in water, or pours water on them, saying:

N, I baptise you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

If the newly baptised are clothed with a white robe, a hymn or song may be used, and then Revd Mary may say:

You have been clothed with Christ.
As many as are baptised into Christ have put on Christ.

If those who have been baptised were not signed with the cross immediately after the Decision, the Revd Mary signs each one now.

She then 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.
All: Amen.

The Revd Mary and those who have been baptised may return from the font.

COMMISSION

Either

Where the newly baptised are unable to answer for themselves, Revd Mary addresses the congregation, parents and godparents, using these or similar words:

We have brought these children to baptism knowing that Jesus died and rose again for them and trusting in the promise that God hears and answers prayer. We have prayed that in Jesus Christ they will know the forgiveness of their sins and the new life of the Spirit.
As they grow up, they will need the help and encouragement of the Christian community, so that they may learn to know God in public worship and private prayer, follow Jesus Christ in the life of faith, serve their neighbour after the example of Christ, and in due course come to confirmation.
As part of the Church of Christ, we all have a duty to support them by prayer, example and teaching. As their parents and godparents, you have the prime responsibility for guiding and helping them in their early years. This is a demanding task for which you will need the help and grace of God. Therefore let us now pray for grace in guiding these children in the way of faith.

One or more of the following prayers may be used

Faithful and loving God,
bless those who care for these children
and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith.
Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love,
and protect their home from all evil.
Fill them with the light of your presence
and establish them in the joy of your kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

God of grace and life,
in your love you have given us
a place among your people;
keep us faithful to our baptism,
and prepare us for that glorious day
when the whole creation will be made perfect
in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
All: Amen.

These words may be added

N and N,
today God has touched you with his love
and given you a place among his people.
God promises to be with you
in joy and in sorrow,
to be your guide in life,
and to bring you safely to heaven.
In baptism God invites you on a life-long journey.
Together with all God's people
you must explore the way of Jesus
and grow in friendship with God,
in love for his people,
and in serving others.
With us you will listen to the word of God
and receive the gifts of God.

or

To the newly baptised who are able to answer for themselves, Revd Mary may say

Those who are baptised 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 heart(s) through faith,
that you may be rooted and grounded in love
and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.
All: Amen.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Either here or after the Welcome and Peace, intercessions may be led by the Revd Mary or others. These or other suitable words may be used. The intercession may conclude with a Collect.

As a royal priesthood, let us pray to the Father
through Christ who ever lives to intercede for us.
Reveal your kingdom among the nations;
may peace abound and justice flourish.
Especially for (N… )
Your name be hallowed.
All: Your kingdom come.

Send down upon us the gift of the Spirit
and renew your Church with power from on high.
Especially for (N… )
Your name be hallowed.
All: Your kingdom come.

Deliver the oppressed, strengthen the weak,
heal and restore your creation.
Especially for (N… )
Your name be hallowed.
All: Your kingdom come.

Rejoicing in the fellowship of the Church on earth,
we join our prayers with all the saints in glory.
Your name be hallowed.
All: Your kingdom come.

THE WELCOME AND PEACE

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism:
N and N, by one Spirit we are all baptised into one body.
All: We welcome you into the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you.

The congregation may greet the newly baptised.

The Revd Mary introduces the Peace in these or other suitable words:

We are all one in Christ Jesus.
We belong to him through faith,
heirs of the promise of the Spirit of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
All: and also with you.

Revd Mary may say
Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace.

If the Liturgy of the Eucharist does not follow immediately, the service continues with suitable prayers, ending with the Lord's Prayer and the Sending Out.

THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

THE SENDING OUT

THE BLESSING

The Revd Mary may use a seasonal blessing, 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.
All: Amen.

GIVING OF A LIGHTED CANDLE

The Revd Mary or another person may give each of the newly baptised a lighted candle. These may be lit from the candle used at the Decision.

When all the newly baptised have received a candle, the Revd Mary 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.
All Shine as a light in the world
to the glory of God the Father.

THE DISMISSAL

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

From Easter Day to Pentecost Alleluia, alleluia may be added to both the versicle and the response.

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