Author: Harris

St John’s Church: Studley
Welcomes Cecilie and family
For a very special service

Introduction
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, as Jesus was at his 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

INTRODUCTION
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all
And also with you
Let us pray
Heavenly God, 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.
An Explanation of Baptism
PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES
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? With the help of God, we will.
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 DECISION
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 turn from sin?
I turn from sin
Do you renounce evil?
I renounce evil
Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ
SIGNING WITH THE CROSS
Christ claims you for his own. Receive the sign of his cross.
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.
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.
We all move to the font

Prayer over the Water
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.
Father, for your gift of water in creation,
All we give you thanks and praise.
For your Spirit, sweeping over the waters,
bringing light and life,
All we give you thanks and praise.
.
For your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
baptized in the river Jordan,
All we give you thanks and praise.
For your new creation,
brought to birth by water and the Spirit,
All we give you thanks and praise.
For your grace bestowed upon us your children,
washing away our sins,
All we give you thanks and praise.
Father, accept our sacrifice of praise;
may your holy and life-giving Spirit + move upon these waters.
All Lord, receive our prayer.
Restore through them the beauty of your creation,
and bring those who are baptized
to new birth in the family of your Church.
All Lord, receive our prayer.
Drown sin in the waters of judgement,
anoint your children with power from on high,
and make them one with Christ
in the freedom of your kingdom.
All Lord, receive our prayer.
For all might, majesty, dominion and power are yours,
now and for ever.
All Alleluia. Amen.

Profession of Faith
The priest addresses the congregation
Let us affirm, together with these who are being baptized,
our common faith in Jesus Christ.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life,
the one for whom we exist?
All We believe and trust in God.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature,
died for us and rose again?
All We believe and trust in God.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God
and makes Christ known in the world?
All We believe and trust in God.
This is the faith of the Church.
All This is our faith.
We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
If the candidates can answer for themselves, the priest says to each one:
N, is this your faith
This is my faith
BAPTISM
N, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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.
We return to our seats
COMMISSION
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.
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. Amen.

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.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Giving of a Lighted Candle
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 Candle Lighting song
Light the candle every day
When we come to church to pray
See the flame all glowing bright
Warm and softly bringing light.
Jesus is like a candle too.
He will shine his light on you.
The Blessing
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 with you and remain with you always.
All Amen.
The Dismissal
Go in the light and peace of Christ.
All Thanks be to God.

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