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The Baptism Liturgy

REV. GAYLE TAYLOR

This baptism liturgy was put together using parts from Common Order (Saint Andrew Press, 1994 edn, pp. 83, 84) but other original words too. Theologically, the act has demonstrated that this sacrament is about what God does for us regardless of what we do for God. It is a declaration of his unconditional love.

We hear these words from the Gospel according to Matthew 28:18–30 (NIV):

Jesus said:

‘Full authority on heaven and earth has been committed to me. Go therefore to all nations and make them my disciples; baptise them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of time.’

And, in the Gospel according to Luke 18:16–17 (NIV), we hear of a time when some people brought their children for Jesus to bless and the disciples scolded them, but Jesus called for the children and said:

‘Let the children come to me; do not try to stop them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you: whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.’

Jesus Christ is with us in this baptism today; it is he himself who baptises us, and by the Holy Spirit we are brought into his Church.

In this sacrament, the love of God is offered to each one of us. Though we cannot fully understand or explain it, we are called to accept that love with the openness and trust of a child.

Let us pray:

Loving God, you are the maker and giver of life, and we thank you this morning for the journey of all our days where we can learn more of you and begin to experience your great love for us. We especially thank you today for little N . . . and for the joy and blessing he/she has brought to the whole family circle. At key moments in our life, we are often more fully aware of your presence, and today we come together because we recognise your hand at work bringing us beyond anxiety and confusion to deep joy and meaning. Father, we confess this morning that at times you have not meant all that you should to us because we have closed ourselves off, focused on other things and chosen other ways; but you give us a fresh start through your gracious gifts of water and the Holy Spirit in baptism.

Throughout time, you have communicated your love and blessings through water, and on this day we come to touch your child N . . . with water that is a visible sign of a new beginning in you. Father God, we thank you for family today, for support and care, acceptance and the feeling of belonging, because we affirm our belief at this time in your family, Christ’s body the Church: where all are welcome, where small beginnings lead to firm commitments, where promises are made on the basis of potential, and love abounds through your goodness and grace.

May the sacrament of your grace and visible signs of your goodness today lead us all into a deeper realisation of your love ever waiting for us and your power beyond our understanding.

Transforming God, send your Holy Spirit upon us and this water through Jesus Christ our Lord, and hear us as we pray together the family prayer that he taught us:

Our Father . . .

Parent(s) or sponsors are invited to bring the child forward.

Full Name . . . I baptise you, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and with the Christian name/s . . . The Lord bless you and keep you.

N . . . for you Jesus Christ came into the world, for you he lived and showed God’s love, for you he suffered the darkness of Calvary and cried at the last: ‘It is accomplished’, for you he triumphed over death and rose in newness of life; for you he ascended to reign at God’s right hand. All this he did for you, N . . . though you do not know it yet. And so the word of Scripture is fulfilled: ‘We love because God loved us first’.

God’s love does not depend on anything we do; it is unconditional. We love because God loved us first, and so in response to that love we all have a part to play in N’s . . . baptism today.

N . . . and N . . . as N’s parents will you please respond to these questions:

Having presented your child for baptism, desiring that she may be grafted into Christ as a member of his body, the Church, do you confess your faith in God the Father and in his Son Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?

I do.

And do you promise, depending on the grace of God, to teach your child the truths and duties of the Christian faith and by prayer and example to bring her up in the life and worship of the Church?

I do.

Your child now belongs to God in Christ. From this day, she will be at home in the Christian community and there will always be a place for her here and in the wider Church throughout the world.

As a sign of all of this, N . . ., the family elder, will now come forward to welcome N . . . into the arms of the Church, and as a congregation we make our promise to N . . . and to God.

Could the congregation please stand? Could you repeat after me:

N . . . , we welcome you into our church family,

We are members together of the body of Christ.

We are children of the one God.

We affirm our faith in God our creator, in Jesus our saviour, in the Holy Spirit our guide.

We accept our responsibilities to encourage you, and all other children in our midst, to grow up in the knowledge and love of Christ.

N . . . , we welcome you.

We sing the blessing ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’ (hymn 796, CH4).

Please be seated.

N . . . , one of our children from the church family has flowers from the Sunday school for N’s . . . mum on this special day for the whole family.

Let us pray:

God of love, we rejoice again to receive your grace in word and sacrament.

We have heard your call and are made new by your Spirit.

Continue to guide and guard N . . . all her days,

may your love hold her, your truth guide her, your joy delight her.

Bless her parents N. . . and N. . . and big brother/s/sister/s; wee brother/s/sisters

that he/she may grow up in a secure and happy home

and give to her/his godparents N . . . and N . . ., and to the whole family, wisdom and courage,

laughter and peace, and love that endures all things.

God of grace, in whose holy catholic Church there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

help us to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to profess with our whole lives the one true faith,

and to live in love and unity with all who are baptised in his name,

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you, Father, and the Holy Spirit one God for ever and ever. Amen.