Ecumenical Form of Holy Baptism

Ecumenical Order of Service for the

Administration of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

As agreed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cork and The Methodist Church in Ireland 1992.
Service of Baptism for Infants

The Service
The Preparation
Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you that in every generation you give new sons and daughters to your Church, and we pray that this child, now to be received by baptism, may come to know you and love you more day by day, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.

The Ministry of the Word
The Baptism of Jesus

7he Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1 verses 9-11.

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, 'Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.'

Jesus loves children
The Gospel of Mark, chapter I0 verses 13-16

They were bringing children to Jesus, that he might touch them: and the disciples rebuked them, But when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them, 'Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.' And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.

Christ sends his apostles to teach and baptize
The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28 verses 18-20

Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.'

The Minister says:

Thus the children of Christian parents are brought to be baptised with water as a sign of the new life in Christ, and to be made members of God's family the Church. We bring this child whom God has entrusted to us and claim for him all that Christ has won for us. Christ loves him and is ready to receive him, to embrace him with the arms of his mercy and to give him the blessing of eternal life.
The Promises and the Profession of Faith
The Priest says:

Let us confess the faith of the Church:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I 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. Amen.

The Minister says to the parents or guardians of the child:

You have brought this child to be baptised, and you will receive him again to be trained in the doctrines, privileges and duties of the Christian faith. I ask you therefore:

Will you provide for this your child a Christian home of love and faithfulness?
Answer: With God's help we will.

Will you help him by your words, prayers and example to renounce all evil and put his trust in Jesus Christ his Saviour?
Answer: With God's help we will.

Will you encourage him to enter into the full membership of the Church, and to serve Christ in the world?
Answer: With God's help we will.

If there are Godparents, the Minister says:

Will you, who have come to support these parents, help them in the Christian upbringing of this child?
Answer: With God's help we will.
Then the Priest says:

(baby's name) we welcome you with great joy into this Christian Church. In the name of Christ we claim you for him, who is our Saviour, by the sign of his Cross. We invite you parents to do the same.

My dear brothers and sisters, let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ to look lovingly on this child (baby's name) who is to be baptised, also on his parents and Godparents, and on all who are baptised.

By the mystery of your death and resurrection, may the light of your glory shine upon this child, give him the new grace of baptism and welcome him into your holy church.
Lord Hear us
Lord graciously hear us.

Through baptism and confirmation, make (baby's name) your faithful follower and a witness to your Gospel.
Lord hear us.
Lord graciously hear us.

The Minister says:

May your grace and power be upon him, and lead him to the joys of your eternal kingdom.
Lord hear us.
Lord graciously hear us.

Grant that the lives of his parents and godparents may be examples of faith and obedience to inspire this child.
Lord hear us.
Lord graciously hear us,

Keep his family always in your love.
Lord hear us.
Lord graciously hear us.

Renew the grace of our baptism in each one of us.
Lord hear us.
Lord graciously hear us.
The Baptismal Prayer
The Minister says:

Father, we thank you that you have created all things and made us in you own image;
That after we had fallen into sin you did not leave us in darkness, but sent your only Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour;
That by his death and resurrection he broke the power of evil;
And that by sending the Holy Spirit, you have made us a new creation,
The Priest says:

We give you thanks, Almighty Father, Everlasting God, through your most dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, because by his death and resurrection you have broken the power of evil, and by your sending of the Spirit you have made us partakers of eternal life.

We ask you to bless this water that he who is to be baptized into Christ's death may receive forgiveness of sins, and that knowing the power of Christ's resurrection he may walk in the newness of life and grant that, being cleansed by baptism and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he may be born from above and faithfully serve you in this world that, finally, with your people he may inherit the Kingdom of your Glory. Through the same, your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Minister: Dear Parents and Godparents, you have come today to present (baby's name) for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit he is to enter the covenant of grace that he may receive the new life from God, who is love through Jesus Christ.

Priest: On your part you must make it your constant care to bring him up in the practice of the faith. Ensure that the Divine life which God gives him keeps him safe from the evil of sin and enables him to grow always stronger in faith and obedience. If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own baptism. Reject sin, profess your faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith of the Church. This is the faith in which (baby's name) is about to be baptised.

Priest: Do you turn to Christ?
Parents and Godparents: I do

Priest: Do you believe in the Christian faith, as expressed in the Apostles' creed which you have just affirmed?
Parents and Godparents: I believe

Minister: This is our faith, this is the faith of the Holy Catholic Church.
We are proud to profess it, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Minister: Is it your will that (baby's name) should be baptised in the faith of the Holy Catholic Church, which we have all professed with you?
Parents and Godparents: It is

The Baptism

The Parents hold the child over the font and both celebrants pour water simultaneously, saying:
N, I baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Minister, making the sign of the cross on the forehead of the child, says:
By Baptism we receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and pray that he may not be ashamed to hold fast the faith of Christ crucified, to fight against evil, and to persevere as Christ's faithful soldier and servant to his life's end. Amen.

The Priest, presenting a lighted candle before the child, says:
Be filled with the light of Christ.
Parents and Godparents, that this light of Christ is kept burning brightly is the trust given to you. The light of Christ now shines upon this child. He is to walk always as a child of the light. May he keep the flame of his Lord with all the saints in the Heavenly Kingdom.

The Lord made the deaf hear, the dumb speak. May he touch your ears to receive his work, and your mouth to proclaim His faith to the praise and glory of God the Father. Amen.

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.

The Final Prayers

Minister: Let us pray.
Father, we thank you that you have received this child to be your own within your family the Church.
May he grow in the faith in which he has been baptised and come to profess that faith before all people. Amen.
Bless the home of this child and give wisdom and affection to his parents that they may lead him in the way of perfect love. Amen.
Strengthen your Church in the Holy Spirit that, through our worship and ministry to the world, this child may learn to follow Christ. Amen.

Priest: May Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given new life by water and the Holy Spirit, and does forgive us all our sins, generously bless all of us who are his faithful children. May we always live as his people, and may he bless all here present by his grace, now and forever. Amen

All: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen