Baptism Service
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Below you will find the service of baptism. This is a standard service. It will be made to fit the type of baptism that is done. I will meet with you to go over the service and talk a little about what baptism is. If you have any questions please let me know.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

Rev. Rau address those present with these  words:

God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. The power of sin is put to death in this holy flood, and we are raised with Jesus Christ to new life. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and sent out in mission for the life of the world.

 

PRESENTATION

One or more sponsors for each candidate, in turn, present the candidates:

I present name for baptism.

 

Rev. Rau addresses candidates who are able to answer for themselves:

Name, trusting in the grace and love of God,

do you desire to be baptized?

Each candidate responds: I do.

 

Rev. Rau addresses parents of children who are not able to answer for themselves:

Trusting in the grace and love of God,

do you desire to have your children baptized?

Response: I do.

 

Rev. Rau addresses the  parents:

As you present your children for baptism,

you are entrusted with gifts and responsibilities:

to live with them among God’s faithful people,

bring them to the word of God and the holy supper,

and nurture them in faith and prayer,

so that they may learn to trust God,

proclaim Christ through word and deed,

care for others and the world God made,

and work for justice and peace among all people.

Name/s, do you promise to help your children grow

in the Christian faith and life?

Response: I do.

 

 

Rev. Rau addresses sponsors:

Sponsors, do you promise to nurture these persons

in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God’s Spirit,

and to help them live in the covenant of baptism

and in communion with the church?

Response: I do.

 

RENUNCIATION OF EVIL

Rev. Rau addresses all present:

I ask you to reject sin,

profess your faith in Christ,

and confess the faith of the church.

 

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God,

the powers of this world that rebel against God,

and the ways of sin that draw you from God?

Response: I do.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

Rev. Rau will  ask all present:

Do you turn to Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Response: I do.

 

Do you believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth?

I believe.

 

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

and born of the Virgin Mary,

who suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

who descended to the dead,

and on the third day rose again;

who ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of the Father,

who will come to judge the living and the dead?

I believe.

 

Do you 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?

I believe.

 

THANKSGIVING

Rev. Rau begins the thanksgiving:

 

Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father:

We give you thanks, for in the beginning

your Spirit moved over the waters

and you created heaven and earth.

By the gift of water you nourish

and sustain us and all living things.

 

By the waters of the flood

you condemned the wicked

and saved those whom you had chosen,

Noah and his family.

You led Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire through the sea,

out of slavery into the freedom of the promised land.

 

In the waters of the Jordan

your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit.

By the baptism of his own death and resurrection

your beloved Son has set us free from the bondage to sin and death,

and has opened the way to the joy and freedom of everlasting life.

He made water a sign of the kingdom and of cleansing and rebirth.

In obedience to his command, we make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

 

Pour out your Holy Spirit,

so that those who are here baptized may be given new life.

Wash away the sin of all those who are cleansed by this water

and bring them forth as inheritors of your glorious kingdom.

To you be given praise and honor and worship

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

 

BAPTISM

Water is poured on the candidate’s head, as Rev. Rau says:

Name, I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

 

 

LAYING ON OF HANDS

Rev. Rau continues:

Let us pray.

We give you thanks, O God,

that through water and the Holy Spirit

you give your daughters and sons new birth,

wash them from sin, and raise them to eternal life.

Sustain name with the gift of your Holy Spirit:

the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the spirit of counsel and might,

the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord,

the spirit of joy in your presence,

both now and forever.

Amen.

 

SIGNING WITH THE CROSS

Rev. Rau marks the sign of the cross on the forehead of each of the baptized.  As the sign of the cross is made, Rev. Rau says:

Name, child of God,

you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit

and marked with the cross of Christ forever.

Amen.

 

PRESENTATION OF A CANDLE

A lighted candle is given to the family as Rev. Rau says:

Walk in the faith of Christ crucified and risen.

Shine with the light of Christ.

 

WELCOME

Rev. Rau concludes:

Through baptism you have been received into the household of God,

entrusted with the good news of Jesus Christ,

and strengthened to serve by the holy and life-giving Spirit.