babtisms

Below you will find three sample liturgies on baptism. If you have liturgies to share with colleagues, please send them to Rev Ron Robinson.

Blessing Ceremony for

Avery Rose Daniels

January 5, 2008

Opening Words

This is a day filled with love, for here in the midst of this gathering of family and friends we are about to formally name this child, to ask for blessings upon her, and to welcome her into our human family.  We are setting aside time, as others have done throughout the world and throughout the ages to rejoice in the coming of this child.  We are setting aside time to give thanks for that great Mystery out of which new life emerges.  We are setting aside time in order to pledge ourselves once more to a life of good example.

When a child enters the world, she is totally dependent, as each of us once was, upon the love and comfort of those entrusted with her care.  Each of us gathered here today must be aware that we, too, can share in bringing to her a love of life and trust in the boundless opportunities and blessings, which our universe affords.  This child’s faith in herself and others must be born out of her daily encounter with each of us -- family members and friends.

This family is full of love nurtured by grandparents, Linda and Alan Richard, Patricia and Robert Daniels, great-grandmother Rhea Richard, cousins, aunts and uncles, and many dear friends. In addition, we remember other great grandparents whose lives have touched all of these now present.

It is important for a child to know where she comes from for always, a new child represents the coming together of different families, different traditions, and perhaps even slightly different beliefs and values.  It will be through the sharing of the particularities of your lives that this new child will come to know Life itself in a more whole way.

Address to Parents

Jillian and Shaun, you have brought this child here to be blessed; I ask therefore,

Will you instill into her young mind the knowledge, reverence and love of God?

Answer: I will.

Will you teach her to live for others and not for herself alone;

To do good to all; to abhor every form of falsehood,

and to love what is just and honest, pure and true?

Answer: I will.

Will you encourage her to keep God’s holy will and commandments,

and to walk in the same all the days of her life?

Answer: I will.

Will you instruct her in the Gospel of our Lord, and teach her to follow his precept and example, that she may learn to live the life that has no end?

Answer: I will.

Address to Godparents

There is an old Jewish proverb, which says, “In time of travail, go to the friend of your Father, go to the friend of your Mother.”  From this ancient wisdom comes the idea of godparents, or special people who dedicate themselves to watching out for the welfare of others’ children. Andrea and Christian, it is a noble and loving tradition to which you commit yourselves this day.

In a complex world, it is not possible for even the most loving and capable parent to raise a child alone.  If our children are to become loving adults, they need the wisdom, counsel, love and support of many adult friends. You have been asked to accept a special honor and responsibility.

Do you then, to the best of your abilities, intend to supplement the care and love of these parents, both in the day-to-day development of this child, and especially in the event of an extraordinary need?  If so, say “We do.”

May this commitment and dedication enrich and ennoble your lives.

Address to the Family and Friends

Will you, the family and friends of Jillian and Shaun, receive this child into your love and care, and will you uphold and encourage the parents and godparents in the fulfillment of their vows? If so, say “We do.”

Answer: We will.

The Naming

What is the name of this child? 

Avery, I touch your brow, your lips, and your hands with this water, as a symbol of our hopes that you will grow to dedicate your thoughts, your words, and your deeds to serving our common life and our human family.

Avery, I bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

And the People say: Amen.

Benediction

And now, Avery, may all those whose lives you touch be enriched by you, and may you be enriched by them in a dialogue of ever-widening love and friendship.  And may we always remember that those who come after us must inherit their world from us.  Therefore may we do our part in helping to create a kinder and more peaceful world.

Amen.

King’s Chapel Baptism of Infants (Book of Common Prayer)

Minister says one of the following prayers:

Hear, O Israel: The lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

And with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And these words, which I command this this day, shall be in thy heart:

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,

And shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house,

And when thou walkest by the way,

And when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

            Deuteronomy 6:4-7

Or this:

Hear the words of our Saviour Christ to his apostles:

Go ye, and make disciples of all nations,

Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

            Matthew 28:19

Or this:

Hear what is said of him in another place:

They brought young children to him,

That he should touch them;

And this disciples rebuked those that brought them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them,

“suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not;

for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I way unto you whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child

Shall not enter therein.”

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them,

And blessed them.

            Mark 10:13-16

Minister speaks to parents and godparents:

Dearly beloved, you have brought this child here to be baptized; I ask therefore,

Will you instill into her young mind the knowledge, reverence and love of God,

As the heavenly father of us all?

Answer: I will.

Will you teach her to live for others and not for herself alone;

To do good to all; to abhor every form of falsehood,

And to love what is just and honest, pure and true?

Answer: I will.

Will you exhort her to keep God’s holy will and commandments,

and to walk in the same all the days of her life?

Answer: I will.

Will you instruct her in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and teach her to follow Christ’s precept and example,

That she may learn to live the life that has no end?

Answer: I will.

Minister speaks to the People:

Will you, the members of this church and the whole Church of Christ, receive this child into your love and care, and will you uphold and encourage the parents and godparents in the fulfillment of their vows?

Answer: we will.

Minister holds the child and asks:

What is the name of this child?

            The parents answer.

Then naming the child after them, and sprinkling water on the head of the child, she says:

_________, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

People say: Amen.

Minister says one of the following prayers:

Let us pray.

Almighty and ever-blessed God, by whose providence the different generations of mankind are rasied up to know thee, and to enjoy they favor for ever;

grant that this child, now dedicated to thee by our office and ministry,

may be endued with heavenly virtues, and saved through thy mercy,

who dost live and govern all things, world without end.

We beseech thee to enable thy servants who are entrusted with the care of this child

to perform their duty faithfully;

give them wisdom to be her defense against the temptation incident to childhood

and youth; and as she grows, graciously assist them to enlarge her understanding

and to open her heart to the impressions of religion and virtue.

This our petition we humbly present in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or:

O God, out of whose deep love we have been called into being,

We bless thy name for the children given into our keeping,

Through whom so much of the beauty of heaven is brought into our hearts and homes.

Help us, we pray, to deal with this gift as a sacred trust;

To remember that it is not ours alone,

But belongs also to thee and to thy great family of mankind.

Grant that it may be well with this little one in the long path on which she has entered,

Following our steps;

That she may be spared to them that love her throughout all of their days,

And may grow to be more and more a joy and comfort to their hearts.

Give to those who watch over her wisdom and patience and faithfulness to do her good,

And only good, as her teachers and guides.

And lead her, we pray, by thine own spirit, where holy feet have walked before us,

That she may be directed toward all things heavenly and true.

Be thy ministering angels her defense, and grant that now and ever she may be kept as under the shadow of thy wings,

And may come at last into that faithfulness of blessing which thou hast promised us

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Concluding Prayer:

Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling,

And to present you faultless before the presence of this glory,

With exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour,

Be glory and majesty, dominion and power,

Through Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen. (Jude 24)

The Order of Baptism for
Parker Reid Tims and Cameron Dean Tims

University Congregational Church

June 15, 2008

Minister: We have gathered here in love and hope; a love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.”  Ours is a hope that is the anchor of the soul, holding steadfast to that which is good, even in the midst of calamity. Thus, we do not gather in naïve hope.  We know that the lives we consecrate this day are fragile, as fragile as the lily of the fields and the morning dew on the grass.

We gather in a strong hope, a hope that gathers the forces of our lives into ever flowing streams of justice and mercy.

On this day we recognize the miracle of life, a miracle set in common clay.  On this day we consecrate what is ordinary and holy in life through exquisitely ordinary water and words.

On this day, each of us is asked to make and renew commitments to life and promise.

Minister:  Michael and Jackie, will you renew your commitment to this church’s covenant to so live that peace, justice, and brotherhood may prevail in the world?  Will you dedicate your lives as parents to the works of mercy that Parker and Cameron will grow in the fullness of mind, body, and soul?

Parents:  We will.

Minister: Will you teach Parker and Cameron a love that reflects the life and teachings of Jesus, a love that breaks down barriers to relationships; a radical and scandalous love for the poor, the oppressed, the blind and the halt, the hungry and thirsty, the naked and imprisoned?

Parents: We will.

Minister: Will you teach them the mystery of God, who calls us into relationships of freedom and responsibility for both the human and natural world?

Parents: We will.

Minister: Sharon and Burt, Kay and David, you come forth as Parker and Cameron’s grandparents, committing yourself to their growth and maturation as a child of God.  Will you dedicate yourselves to their well being?  Will you be their model in word and deed that they might obtain justice and mercy and walk humbly with their God?  Will you encourage, succor, and sustain Parker and Cameron in the commitments they have made this day?

Grandparents:  We will.

Minister:  Members and friends of the University Congregational Church, on this day of Parker and Cameron’s baptism, will you commit yourselves to their growth as children of God, creating a world that is safe for them to inhabit?  Will you renew your commitment to create a faith community that welcomes every child, affirms their inherent worth and dignity, and guides them to the wisdom of God?

Congregation: We will.

Minister:  (Parker) (Cameron), you have heard your parents, your grandparents, and this congregation commit themselves to your growth as a child of God in the name and spirit of Jesus Christ.  I ask you now, will you, to the best of your ability entrust yourself to the life and teachings of Jesus; to follow His Way of justice, compassion, peace and brotherhood?

(Parker) and (Cameron)  I will.

Prayer

Minister:  God of creation, whose spirit moved over the face of the waters and brought forth light, hear our grateful prayer of thanksgiving for the lives of Parker and Cameron.

Grant us wisdom that we might be wise parents, family, and church.  Make us strong that even in the face of challenge they might know the strength that comes from the faithful hands and hearts of this church gathered in the name and spirit of Jesus.  Amen.

Blessing of the Water

Minister:  Like Jesus, we are brought to life out of the mysterious, life giving waters of our mother’s womb. Jesus also was baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist.  Jesus then became living water for the poor, the oppressed, and all who would knock on his door.

Gracious God, pour out your life giving spirit on this water, on this gathered community, on these parents, and on this one who comes to be baptized in your name.  Amen.

The Baptism of Parker and Cameron

First Pouring

Minister:  (Parker) (Cameron), I baptize you in the name of God’s mystery who moves in the heart of all creation.

Second Pouring

Minister:  I baptize you in the memory of Jesus’ scandalous acts of inclusion and compassion.

Third Pouring

Minister: I baptize you in the inexpressible comfort and wisdom of the Holy Spirit whose breath gives life to us all.

Baptism/Renewal of Baptismal Vows (.pdf) - This is the baptism/renewal of baptismal vows service that was offered at the 2009 Revival in Tulsa, OK.