Order for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism

Transcription

1 Order for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism March 27, 2014 Baptism should be administered as part of the Eucharist on a Sunday or other Feast Day. The most appropriate days for Baptism are the Easter Vigil, the Baptism of Our Lord, Pentecost, and All Saints' Day (or the Sunday after All Saints ). The Bishop is the appropriate, if present. A Hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung. The People stand, and the says the following, or a seasonal greeting as found on page XX. Blessed be God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. People And blessed be His kingdom, now and forever. Amen. The then continues There is one Body and one Spirit; People There is one hope in God's call to us; One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; People One God and Father of all. The Lord be with you. Let us pray. The prays the Collect of the Day. People Amen. The liturgy continues with the lessons as directed in the Eucharist. After the sermon the says The Candidate(s) for Holy Baptism will now be presented. The Exhortation When all have gathered, the then says to the People Dearly beloved, we were all dead in our trespasses, having been conceived and born in sin; and our Savior Jesus Christ says, Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. So let us ask our Heavenly Father to give these candidates that regenerated life, which without his grace they cannot have; that being baptized with water and the Holy Spirit, they might be received as living members of Christ's holy Church.

2 The may anoint each Candidate with the Oil of Catechumens, saying to each May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness and evil and lead you into the light and obedience of the kingdom of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Then the says The Lord be with you. Let us pray. The continues Almighty and everlasting Father, in your great mercy you saved Noah and his family in the Ark from the destruction of the Flood; and you safely led your people, the children of Israel, through the Red Sea, prefiguring the sacrament of Holy Baptism. By the Baptism of your beloved Son Jesus Christ in the Jordan River you sanctified water for the washing away of sin. Now look mercifully upon these your servants; through your Holy Spirit wash and sanctify them, that they may be delivered from destruction and received into the Ark of Christ's Church; and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, they may pass through the turbulent floods of this troublesome world and come into the land of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Profession of Faith The asks Candidates who can speak for themselves when presented Candidate No. Have you already been baptized? Do you desire to be baptized? Candidate I do. The then examines the Candidates who can speak for themselves, and the Parents and Godparents who will speak on behalf of infants or small children, saying Dearly beloved, you have come here to be baptized. We have prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ would receive you, release you from sin, sanctify you through the Holy Spirit, and give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. I now ask you to renounce of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Question Do you renounce Satan and all his works? Question Do you renounce the empty promises and deadly desires of this world? Question Do you renounce the sinful desires of the flesh?

3 Question Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Lord and Savior? Answer I do. Question Do you joyfully receive the Christian Faith, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures? Answer I do. Question Will you obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in them all the days of your life? Answer I will, the Lord being my helper. When the above promises are made by Parents and Godparents of infants or small children, the asks them Today, on this child s behalf, you have made vows to renounce the devil and all his works, to trust in God wholeheartedly, and to serve him faithfully. It is now your task to see that he is taught, as soon as he is able to learn, the meaning of all these vows, and of the faith that he has professed through you. He must learn the Creeds, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and all the other things which a Christian ought to know, believe, and do for the welfare of his soul. When he has learned all these, and made them his own, bring him to the Bishop to be Confirmed, that he may be further strengthened by the Holy Spirit to serve the world in the fellowship of Christ s Church. Are you willing and ready to do this? Parents and Godparents I am, the Lord being my helper. The then addresses the congregation. Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ? The Congregation responds We will, the Lord being our helper. The then says Let us join together with these candidates and proclaim our faith in the words of the ancient Baptismal confession, the Apostles Creed. Do you believe and trust in God? and People I do: I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe and trust in Jesus Christ?

4 and People I do: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit? and People I do: 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. Amen. The Celebration of Baptism A Psalm, anthem, or hymn may be sung during the procession to the baptismal font. Thanksgiving at the Font The Deacon, or someone appointed, pours water into the font. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. People We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People It is just and right so to do. The continues It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Because your beloved Son Jesus Christ shed both water and blood from his pierced side for the forgiveness of our sins; and commanded his disciples that they should go and teach all nations and baptize them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Here the touches the water and says Now sanctify this water by the power of your Holy Spirit that those who are baptized here may have their sins washed away, received the fullness of your grace, and remain forever your faithful children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with You and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. Each candidate is presented by name to the. If the Candidate is a child he is presented to the celebrant who says, Name this Child. If the candidate is an adult, the asks his name.

5 Then the immerses, or pours water upon, the candidate three times, saying N. I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The makes the sign of the cross upon the forehead of the newly baptized (and may use the Oil of Chrism to do so), saying Receive the sign of the Cross as a token of your new life in Christ, in which you shall not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified, to fight bravely under his banner against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to continue as his faithful servant to the end of your days. or this You are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ s own forever. Amen. A white garment may be placed upon the newly baptized; and the says Receive this white garment as a token of the righteousness given you by God's grace in this Sacrament of Baptism, as a sign that you should always give yourself to holy living, and an assurance that at the last day you will inherit everlasting life. Amen. The Deacon or may light a candle from the Paschal Candle and give it to the newly baptized, saying Receive the Light of Christ; for our Lord Jesus Christ says: I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. or this Receive the Light of Christ, that when the bridegroom comes you may go forth to meet him with all the saints. The continues, Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sins, received them as your own children by adoption, made them members of your Church, and raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit, that they may inherit everlasting salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. When all have been baptized, the says Let us welcome the newly baptized. and People We receive you into Christ's flock. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood. The liturgy continues with the Prayers of the People.