Parents and Godparents alone say the words in red

and otherwise join the rest of the congregation to say the words in blue

Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us

that to enter the kingdom of heaven

we must be born again of water and the Spirit,

and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth.

Here we are washed by the Holy Spirit and made clean.

Here we are clothed with Christ,

dying to sin that we may live his risen life.

As children of God, we have a new dignity

and God calls us to fullness of life.

Faith is the gift of God to his people.

In baptism the Lord is adding to our number

those whom he is calling.

People of God, will you welcome these children

and uphold them in their new life in Christ?

With the help of God, we will

Parents and godparents,

the Church receives these children with joy.

Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith.

Will you pray for them,

draw them by your example into the community of faith

and walk with them in the way of Christ?

With the help of God, we will

In baptism they begin their journey in faith.

You speak for them today.

Will you care for them,

and help them to take their place

within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?

With the help of God, we will

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.

To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.

Therefore I ask:

Do you turn to Christ?

I turn to Christ.

Do you repent of your sins?

I repent of my sins.

Do you renounce evil?

I renounce evil.

SIGNING WITH THE CROSS

Christ claims you for his own.

Receive the sign of his cross.

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified:

Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ

against sin, the world and the devil,

and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.

May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness,

restore in you the image of his glory,

and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.

Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE WATER

Praise God who made heaven and earth:

who keeps his promise for ever.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God:

It is right to give thanks and praise.

We thank you, almighty God, for the gift of water

to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.

Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation.

Through water you led the children of Israel

from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.

In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of John

and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ,

to lead us from the death of sin to newness of life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of baptism.

In it we are buried with Christ in his death.

By it we share in his resurrection.

Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son,

we baptize into his fellowship those who come to him in faith.

Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your Holy Spirit,

they may be cleansed from sin and born again.

Renewed in your image, may they walk by the light of faith

and continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord;

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

be all honour and glory, now and for ever.

Amen.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

Let us affirm

our common faith in Jesus Christ.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father,

source of all being and life,

the one for whom we exist?

I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in God the Son,

who took our human nature,

died for us and rose again?

I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,

who gives life to the people of God

and makes Christ known in the world?

I believe and trust in him.

This is the faith of the Church.

This is our faith.

We believe and trust in one God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

BAPTISM

N, I baptize you

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

N and N,

today God has touched you with his love

and given you a place among his people.

God promises to be with you

in joy and in sorrow,

to be your guide in life,

and to bring you safely to heaven.

In baptism God invites you on a life-long journey.

Together with all God’s people

you must explore the way of Jesus

and grow in friendship with God,

in love for his people,

and in serving others.

With us you will listen to the word of God

and receive the gifts of God.

WELCOME

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism:

by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body:

We welcome you into the fellowship of faith;

we are children of the same heavenly Father;

we welcome you.

May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church,

pour upon you the riches of his grace,

that within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people

you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit,

and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.

Amen.