(Infants)

One of the following Sentences shall be said by the minister.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

In truth I tell you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born from water and the Spirit. John 3:5

By Baptism we were buried with Christ and lay dead, in order that, as Christ was raised from the dead in the splendour of the Father, so also we might set our feet upon the new path of life. Romans 6:4

THE GREETING

MINISTER:
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

ALL:
And blessed be His Kingdom now and for ever.
Amen.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

DECLARATION

MINISTER:
In Holy Baptism, the Church proclaims the Good News of our incorporation into the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom which Jesus Christ, our Incarnate Lord, inaugurated by His life of perfect trust and obedience to the Father.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, He brought into being a people for His own possession, which people we are.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ in Holy Baptism, sharing not only in His death but also in His resurrection, becoming God's children by adoption and grace, thus changing our created nature so deeply that the Holy Scripture says that in Baptism we are born again.

Let us therefore pray that those who have come for Baptism may receive, in this Holy Sacrament, that blessing which by nature they cannot have, that they may be made living members of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, and so be set free from the bondage of sin.

MINISTER: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.

MINISTER: Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to Your children new life through the water of Baptism. Grant that this child (these children) raised to new life in Christ, may serve you in faith and love and may grow into the full stature of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
ALL: Amen.

Then shall follow the Collect of the day.

THE PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

The readings are those of the Sunday or Feast Day if the baptism takes place at the principal service. At the discretion of the Bishop two or three of the following readings may be used instead.


THE SERMON

THE PRESENTATION

The minister shall invite the parents and godparents of the children who have been brought for Baptism to come forward using the following or other appropriate words.

MINISTER:
Let all Parents and Godparents who have brought children to be baptised now come forward.

MINISTER:
Why do you present these children (this child) for baptism?

EITHER:

We present these children (this child) for Baptism in order that they (he/she) may be incorporated into Christ, our Incarnate Lord.

OR:

We present these children (this child) for baptism in order that they (he/she) may be made living members of the Church which is the Body of Christ.

MINISTER:
Parents and Godparents, the children (child) whom you have brought for baptism will, by reason of their (his/her) infancy, depend on your help and encouragement to grow in the knowledge, reverence and service of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father.

You must remember, that it is also your duty to see that they (he/she) are (is) instructed in the good news of God's salvation in Christ, the Church's Creeds and Catechism and all other things which a Christian ought to know, believe and practice as a member of the family of God.

As they (he/she) grow(s) up, they (he/she) will also need the help and encouragement of that family, so that they (he/she) learn(s) to be faithful in public worship and private prayer, to live by love and trust in God, and in due course to come to receive the laying on of hands by the Bishop in Confirmation.

QUESTION:
Will you give that help and encouragement by your prayers, by your example, and by your teaching?
ANSWER: I will do so, the Lord being my helper.

QUESTION: Will you do all in your power to see that these children (this child) (are/is) brought to the Bishop to be confirmed by him and to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the Holy Communion?
ANSWER: I will do so, the Lord being my helper.

THE BAPTISMAL VOWS

MINISTER: Therefore I ask these questions which you must answer for yourself and for these children (this child) whom you have brought for baptism.

QUESTION: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Saviour?
ANSWER: I turn and accept Him.

QUESTION: Do you put your whole trust in His grace and love?
ANSWER: I so put my trust.

QUESTION: Do you promise to love God and obey Him as your Lord?
ANSWER: I promise.

QUESTION: Do you renounce satan, and all the spiritual forces of wickedness?
ANSWER: I do.

QUESTION: Do you renounce injustice and all the evil powers of this world?
ANSWER: I do.

QUESTION: Do you reject sin so as to live in the freedom of God's children?
ANSWER: I do.

Let us pray

The minister says one of the following prayers.

Heavenly Father, in your love you have called us to know you, led us to trust you, and united our life with yours. Surround these children (this child) with your love; protect them (him/her) from evil; sustain and guide them (him/her) by your Holy Spirit, and receive them (him/her) into the family of your Church; that they (he/she) may walk with us in the way of Christ and grow in the knowledge of your love. Amen.

Heavenly Father and giver of all grace, we ask your blessing on those who are about the be baptized and made heirs of your heavenly Kingdom, that through the prayers, the teaching, the example, and the sharing in the life of those who love and care for them they may grow up in the faith of Christ crucified and in the fellowship of His Church, to serve you faithfully all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE BLESSING OF THE WATER

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And also with you.

V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

We thank you Heavenly Father for the gift of water; over it your Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation; through it you led the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt; in it your son Jesus received the Baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit; fulfilling His Ministry by the offering of Himself on the Cross, blood and water flowed from His side.

We thank you Heavenly Father because you have appointed the water of Baptism for the regeneration of all people, through Jesus Christ your Son. In joyful obedience to Him, we make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Now therefore sanctify this water by the same Holy Spirit, and grant that all who are baptized in it may be united with Christ, forgiven in Him, set free from the bondage of sin and raised with Christ to eternal life.

By Him, and with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.

THE PROFESSION OF FAITH

The minister says to the parents and godparents:

MINISTER:
You have brought these children to Baptism. Will you now declare before God and His Church the Christian Faith into which these children are to be baptized and in which you will help them live and grow?
ANSWER: I will.

The minister says to the congregation:

MINISTER: My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our Baptismal commitment.

QUESTION:
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD THE FATHER?
ANSWER: I believe in God the Father Almighty creator of heaven and earth.

QUESTION: DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD?

QUESTION: DO YOU BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT?

MINISTER: This is the faith of the Church.

THE BAPTISM

MINISTER: Name this Child.

PARENT OR GODPARENT: N_

The minister then baptizes the candidates. He immerses each child in the water or pours water on (his/her) head, addressing (him/her) by name.

MINISTER: N_ I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen.

The minister then makes the sign of the cross saying:

MINISTER: God has united you to Himself and received you into His family the Church. I sign you with the cross, the sign of Christ. Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified. Fight valiantly against all evil and continue Christ's faithful servant to the end of your life.

The minister or another person may give a lighted candle to the parents or godparents of each child, saying:

MINISTER: God has rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. Receive this light and walk as a child of light.
ALL: Let your light so shine among men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

WELCOME

MINISTER: My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us welcome the newly baptized!
ALL: We welcome you into the Lord's family. We are members together of Christ, children of the same heavenly Father and inheritors together of His kingdom.

A form of intercession and the Act of Penitence may follow. The Eucharist continues with The Peace

In place of the usual Post Communion prayer the bishop or priest says the following:

Most merciful Father, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ; for adopting us as your own children, for incorporating us into your Holy Church, and for making us worthy to share in the inheritance of your saints in light; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

When there is no Eucharist the service proceeds as follows:

MINISTER: Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so in faith and trust we say:


MINISTER
Lord God our Father, maker of heaven and earth, we thank you that by your Holy Spirit these children have (this child has) been born again into new life, adopted for your own, and received into the fellowship of your Church: Grant that they (he/she) may grow in the faith into which they have (he/she has) been baptized, that they may profess it for themselves (him/herself), as they (he/she) grow in Christ, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them (him/her). Amen.

Almighty God our heavenly Father whose beloved Son Jesus Christ shared with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph the life of an earthly home at Nazareth, we pray for your blessing on the homes (home) of these children (this child): Give such grace and wisdom to all who have the care of them (him) that by their word and example they (he) may learn to know and love you, and so come to your eternal home in heaven, through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Or

God our Father, whose Son our Lord grew up in a home at Nazareth: we pray for the homes (home) of these children (this child), that they (it) may be hallowed by prayer and be the abode of your love, joy and peace. Give to their (his/her) parents care and understanding in the training of their children (child) and may they by their teaching and example lead them (him/her) in the way of Christ, that they (he/she) may grow in grace and in the knowledge of your love, for the honour and glory of your name. Amen.

One of the prayers from sections 23 and 24 may be included in the Intercession.

MINISTER: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.