Last week we had the joy of seeing Bishop Rachel baptising 7 and confirming 4 people into God’s church during the summer playscheme.
Here is the short liturgy we put together for the occasion. It was designed to be fit for purpose in a large setting where many people were unfamiliar; to communicate the welcome of God to those seeking him; to be clear what was happening at each stage; to use uncomplicated language as much as possible; to be clear about the big themes and actions within the service; to follow the original structure in the Common Worship baptism service and to carry an Anglican family resemblance. It took just half an hour and worked very well. We are a Bishops Mission Order and allowed to write liturgy for missional contexts.
(The booklet contains small icons/pictures at each stage but the website can’t show them or the layout)
Service of Baptism & Confirmation
With Bishop Rachel, Rev Kim Brown and The Upper Room Community
At St Lawrence Church, Chesterton
Thursday 2 August 2018
The Greeting
Bishop Rachel welcomes everyone and prays a prayer
Confession
We bring our messy lives and fragile hearts before God, asking for forgiveness & mercy
Bishop: We’re sorry for the wrong we’ve done
All: God, make us new
Bishop: We’re sorry for the mess we’ve made
All: God, make us new
Bishop: We’re sorry for the hurts we’ve caused
All: God, make us new
Absolution
God sees our hearts and our lives. He forgives us + and offers us a new start through Jesus. Amen.
We Read The Bible: Mark 10:13-16
Jesus Receives the Children
Some people brought their small children to Jesus so he could bless them. But his followers told the people to stop bringing their children to him. When Jesus saw this, he was displeased. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them. The kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these little children. I tell you the truth. You must accept the kingdom of God as a little child accepts things, or you will never enter it.” Then Jesus took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.
Bishop Rachel gives a Short Talk
Presentation of the Candidates
The candidates, parents & godparents form a semi- circle around the bishop.
The bishop says to the congregation
We thank God for all who have come to be baptised today. Jesus loves them and welcomes them into his Church.
So I ask all of you here today: Will you help these people to become part of God’s family? Will you support them on their journey of faith?
All: With the help of God, we will
The bishop asks the parents, godparents and sponsors of the children being baptised:
Parents and godparents, you speak for the children being baptised today. Will you promise to encourage them, pray for them, and help them to follow Christ?
With the help of God, we will.
In baptism these children begin their journey in faith. 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 bishop asks all the candidates
Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
I am.
The Decision
The bishop addresses the candidates, sponsors, parents & godparents
We all wander far from God and lose our way: Christ comes to find us and welcomes us home. In baptism, we are responding to his call. Therefore I ask:
Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of them
Do you reject evil?
I reject evil.
Signing with the Cross
The bishop makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate for baptism, saying
Christ claims you for His own. Receive the sign of His cross.
When all have been signed, the Bishop says
Be glad in Christ. You are his for ever.
The priest says to the candidates
Stand firmly against evil, and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.
The Bishop says to them
May Almighty God protect you from the powers of
darkness, restore in you the image of his glory,
and lead you always in the light and obedience of Christ.
All: Amen.
Prayer over the Water
The candidates gather at the baptismal font. The bishop says:
We thank you, loving Father, for the gift of your Son,
Who, by the cross, forgives and restores us
from all our sins.
He calls us to share that good news with all,
and to baptize all who turn to him.
And so, Father, we ask you to bless + this water,
that those who are baptized in it
may know themselves loved by you forever
Amen.
Profession of Faith
We affirm our faith in Jesus Christ together
The bishop addresses the congregation
Do you believe and trust in God the Father, the One who made us and knows us?
All I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who lived with us our human life, died for us and rose again?
All I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who brings life and newness to the world?
All I believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church
All This is our faith;
We believe and trust in One God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Baptism
The bishop pours water on each candidate, saying
I baptize you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All Amen.
The bishop addresses the newly baptised
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.
All We welcome you into the fellowship of faith.
The bishop marks the the candidates for confirmation with the sign of the cross, saying
Remember your baptism into Christ Jesus.
The Candidates for Confirmation form a semi –circle around the bishop
The bishop addresses each candidate by name and anoints them with holy oil saying
God has called you by name and made you his own.
She lays her hand on the head of each, saying
Confirm, O Lord, your servant … with your Holy Spirit. Amen.
The bishop prays for all those on whom hands have been laid
Pour out your grace on your people, O Lord, and lavish your Holy Spirit upon them, that they may know themselves loved, blessed and found in you until the end of this life, and forevermore.
All: Amen.
Please sit down for the prayers
Prayers will be said for all who have been baptised and confirmed. Then we say together
All : 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.
Forgive us our tresspasses
as we forgive those who tresspass against us
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
The Giving of The Light
All who have been baptized and confirmed gather to receive a lighted candle with the bishop, who says
God has delivered us all from darkness and 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. Amen.
We say together
Affirmation
We rise up today,
clothed in the strength of Christ.
We go out today, loved,
to love and serve Christ’s world.
We do not go alone.
We will not be afraid.
We shall not be overcome.
We are the beloved of God.
Amen
Bishop Rachel will now bless us all, and pray a blessing on our food. After the service, please stay to eat lunch, share cake & celebrate together.
We blow bubbles now as a sign of our celebration and joy before God!