The Anglican Parish of

ST JOHN ’S, TOORAK

86 Clendon Road , Toorak, 3142

Telephone:  9826 1765       Fax:  9826 4395

www.saintjohnstoorak.org

THE ORDER OF SERVICE FOR HOLY BAPTISM

(from A Prayer Book for Australia 1995)

1.         The priest says

The Lord be with you

2.         The minister may continue with these or similar words

Baptism is the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When he had risen from the dead, he commanded his followers to go and make disciples of all nations baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

We have come together today to obey that command.

Baptism with water signifies the cleansing from sin that Jesus’ death makes possible, and the new life that God gives us through the Holy Spirit.

In baptism the promises of God are visibly signed and sealed for us. We are joined to Christ, and made members of his body, the Church universal.

3.      Children are baptised in response to God’s all-embracing love. Parents and godparents who have responded to that love come now to bring their children for baptism. Before this congregation they must express their own trust and commitment to the promises of God, and their intention to bring up their children in the faith and practice of the Church. In due time these children should make their own response to God, and be prepared for confirmation.

So we welcome you name(s), with your sponsors. We give thanks for you, and pray that you may know God’s love and faithfulness forever.

4.         The priest invites the candidates and their parents and sponsors (godparents) to stand in view of the congregation. The priest says to the parents and sponsors of those unable to answer for themselves:

5.         Will you each, by God’s grace, strive to live as a disciple of Christ, loving God with your whole heart, and your neighbour as yourself, until your life’s end?

7.         The minister says  

8.          The priest comes to the place where the water for baptism is.

 Water is poured into the font and blessed.

9.        The priest says to the parents and godparents

I now ask you to affirm as yours the faith of the Church.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
on the third day he rose from the dead;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father;
from there he will come to judge
the living and the dead.

10.       The candidate is brought to the water and baptised.

Name, I baptise you in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

After each Baptism the priest makes a cross on the forehead, saying
Name, I sign you with the sign of the cross, to show that you are marked as Christ’s own for ever.

11.      The priest addresses the newly baptised, saying

Live as a disciple of Christ:fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith.

And the congregation responds, saying,

Confess Christ crucified,
proclaim his resurrection,
look for his coming in glory

The priest continues, saying  

God has brought you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

And the congregation responds, saying

12.       The priest addresses all of the newly baptised, saying

God has called you into his church.

The congregation responds, saying

13.      The Lord’s Prayer is said by all  

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen.

14.       One or more suitable prayers may be said

15.       A pastoral note

Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for the rest of our lives, the first step in response to God’s love. For all involved, particularly the candidates but also parents, godparents and sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith. The wider community of the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this new member of the Church.

The service paints many vivid pictures of what happens on the Christian way. There is the sign of the cross, the badge of faith in the Christian journey, which reminds us of Christ’s death for us. Our ‘drowning’ in the water of baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new life, unites us to Christ’s dying and rising, a picture that can be brought home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit, as Jesus was at his baptism. And as a sign of that new life, there may be a lighted candle, a picture of the light of Christ conquering the darkness of evil. Everyone who is baptized walks in that light for the rest of their lives.

As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God’s love.

Jesus said, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.’

John 10.10

From: ‘Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England’. © Church House Publishing 2000.