Baptismal Service

Here is a copy of the baptismal service I use. Some have expressed some interest. Feel free to copy and modify for your use. If you have any suggestions, additions, comments, etc that would be helpful for the community of readers, please share them in the comments section for all to see and use.

THE ORDER FOR HOLY BAPTISM

Pastor: We welcome the following child her parents and her sponsors for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

 Name

And her Parents and sister:
And her Sponsors:

Pastor: We have all gathered as God's community around the waters of new life. The word of God comes to us through the prophet Ezekiel: "I will take you from the nations, and gather you from all the countries, and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean."

Congregation: "I will give you a new heart. I will put my spirit within you. You shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God."

Pastor: In the sacrament of Holy Baptism we are set free from the power of sin and death and are joined to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as God's faithful people have always gathered in the name of God, we gather at the waters of life and remember the strong name of our God who creates life, Jesus who calls us to new life, and the Holy Spirit who sustains life! Here we are reborn children of God and welcomed into the family of believers, the Body of Christ, the church.

Congregation: Through baptism, we are ushered into the family of God where we find forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life.

Pastor: Parents, you have been called to a life of active grace by participating as sojourners at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church where we are inspired by God’s love to Praise, Nurture and Serve. As we gather in this community we come together to Praise God in worship, song and prayer, delight in the diversity of all of God’s children, support one another through the love of Christ, gather to grow through God’s grace and reach out, serve, and incite miracles. Will you encourage these signs of the Kingdom in the life of this child? If so, please respond, "We will!"

Parents: "We will!"

Pastor: Sponsor, you who have been chosen as sponsor for this child are making a significant commitment to reflect the love of Christ in her life. I ask you, will you pray for her, love her, encourage her spiritual growth and continue to do all you can do so that she may grow in faith in Christ? If so, please respond, “I will with God's help."

Sponsor: "I will with God's help."

Pastor: Let us come together as a community of sojourners in faith as we state our beliefs in the words of the Apostles Creed.

Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. 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. 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.

Pastor: Do you stand by the words of the creed we just confessed? If so, please respond, "We do!"

Parents & Sponsors: "We do!"

Pastor: Let us pray.

All: Lord Jesus Christ, you are the resurrection and the life and You call us into a new life in you. You have sent us forth into the world to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe your loving commands. Bless this child with the gift of new life in Christ through the waters of Baptism.

Pastor: Whom do you present for Holy Baptism?

Parents: We present Name for the sacrament of Holy Baptism.

Pastor: Name, you are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Name, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. Amen.

Congregation: We give thanks for the gift of new life. We welcome you and commit ourselves to growing in faith with you. After Jesus was baptized, as he was praying, the sky opened up and the Holy Spirit, like a dove descending, came down on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "You are my Child, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life." Today, God claims you Name as a Child of God, marked by love and set apart for a life of service in this world. We pledge ourselves to be your faithful friends and fellow sojourners as we journey with you in this adventure called life.

Pastor: As a Congregation, we give you this candle as a sign of our partnership with you in the ministry of Jesus Christ who is the light of the world. We encourage you to light this candle each year on the anniversary of this baptism as a reminder that you are to let the light of Christ shine brightly in you always. Let us pray.

Congregation: Gracious God, you make light to shine in the darkness, by your power you give new life for all eternity. Walk with us as we reach out to this child so that as Name grows in faith she will come to know you as her Lord and Savior and how, on this day, water and word touched her spirit and gave her new life. Amen.

Prayers of the People

Pastor: Let us pray for those who are affirming their Baptism, and for all the baptized everywhere, that they may be redeemed from all evil and rescued from the way of sin and death. Lord in your mercy,

Congregation: hear our prayer!

Pastor: That the Holy Spirit may open their hearts to your grace and truth:
Lord in your mercy,

Congregation: hear our prayer!

Pastor: That they may be kept in the faith and communion of your Holy Church: Lord, in your mercy,

Congregation: hear our prayer!

Pastor: That they may be sent into the world in witness to your love: Lord, in your mercy,

Congregation: hear our prayer!

Pastor: That they may be brought to the fullness of your peace and glory: Lord, in your mercy,

Congregation: hear our prayer!

Pastor: Dear Lord, I ask that you would be with the people gathered this day as we bring our prayers before you.

Pastor: Today, God has called, cleansed, and commissioned this child for a higher calling and a deeper walk with Jesus Christ. What is our response and commitment to her?

Congregation: (The person being baptized is brought into the center of the congregation where those present come out of their seats and lay on hands while they say) Name, we welcome you to the Lord’s family; we receive you as a fellow member of the Body of Christ and worker with us in the Kingdom of God. We are the collective voice of God saying, You are our child, whom we love; with you we are well pleased, and with you we will journey through life together, brothers and sisters in Christ. We welcome you as a fellow sojourner as we live out God’s calling for our lives at this time through our combined ministries at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church.

SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
AND
DISTRIBUTION OF THE WELCOME FOLDERS

Following the passing of the peace, we will distribute our welcome folders. Please sign your name and check what may apply to you or your family. Also in the welcome folder are our prayer dots. You may place one on the face of your watch to remind you to pray during the week for your church and the concerns we share as a community. We would also ask that you place one on your credit card and debit cards and check book so that with every purchase, you are reminded that all that we have comes from God and True Value is found only in Christ. If you will be praying for someone this week, list the name and address in the "Prayer Request" section; we will send a post card letting the person know someone is praying for him or her. You will also find Prayer Bracelets which remind us that we are called to Praise, Nurture and Serve. You may write the name of the person or persons you are praying for and either wear them for the week or take them home and start of form a prayer chain as a reminder to pray for these people. If you have a specific prayer request, you may also write that in the "Prayer Request" section. After you have signed a folder, please pass it to the next person in your row, and after it reaches the end of the row, pass it back again.

SONG FOR BAPTISM
Borning Cry wov #770