The Most Reverend & Right Honourable  Dr John Tucker Mugabi Sentamu,
                                                    baptising one of our older members outside York Minster What is baptism?  

In baptism, you as parents are: thanking God for his gift of life, making a decision to start your child on the journey of faith and asking for the Church's support.  

For your child, baptism marks the start of a journey of faith, which involves turning away from all that is evil, turning towards Christ and becoming a member of the local and worldwide Christian family.   

Baptism is a 'sacrament' a visible sign of God's love. In baptism, we are thanking God for his gift of life and publicly acknowledging his love. We are acknowledging that we all need to turn away from selfishness and evil and to accept God’s offer of a new start. 

Booking a service   

If you or some of your relatives regularly attend one of our congregations, you may like the service to take place during the main Sunday service.   Alternatively, Baptisms take place on the third Sunday of the month at 12.30pm.  You will need to contact Revd Fran
Wakefield on 01759 371264 in good time, as we often get booked up several months in advance.   She will be delighted to come and talk to you about the service and answer any questions you have.  It is also good to meet the baptism candidate in advance so that he or she is comfortable during the service!  

What happens during the service?   

The priest will make sure you know where to sit and when you need to move. Some parts of the service will be for the whole congregation to join in. Some will be for you and the godparents.  Part of the baptism service will normally take place at the front of the church, but for the baptism itself, parents and godparents are usually asked by the priest to gather around the font. (The font is a large basin on a pedestal, containing the water for baptism.)  The priest will ask the parents and godparents to make declarations on behalf of the child.  

Making decisions and promises 

When you bring your child for baptism, you will be asked to declare publicly on behalf of your child that you believe in God and that you will bring your child up to follow Jesus. You will be asked to answer, on your child's behalf, that you have decided to turn away from everything which is evil or sinful and instead to turn towards Christ. 

The declarations made by you and the child's godparents will be made in front of the church congregation; the local Christian community will promise to support you and pray for you and your child.  

Symbols and actions used during the service.  

A number of important symbols and actions will be used during the service  

          Water - the priest will pour water on your child's head. Water is a sign of washing and cleansing. In baptism it is a sign of being washed free from sin and beginning a new life with God.  Water is a sign of life, but also a symbol of death. When we are baptized, it is as though our old life is buried in the waters (like drowning) and we are raised to new life with Christ.  

          The sign of the cross - the priest will make the sign of the cross on your child's forehead. This is like an invisible badge to show that Christians are united with Christ and must not be ashamed to stand up for their faith in him. 

         Candles - Jesus is the Light of the World.  A large candle may be lit in the church and you will also be given a lighted candle at the end of the service as a reminder of the light which has come into your child's life.  

The welcome

The church congregation will say some formal words of welcome to acknowledge that you child has joined the Church and to show how pleased they are to have you among them.  It is up to you, the child's godparents and the church community to help your child reject the world of darkness and follow a way of life that reflects goodness and light and shares this light with others. 

The role of godparents  

Godparents make the same promises on behalf of the child being baptised as parents. Godparents promise to pray and support the child and to help the parents to bring up the child in the Christian faith. It is an important and responsible role.  You should have at least three godparents: two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. Godparents can be family members or friends. However, it is important that you choose people who will take an interest in your child's spiritual welfare and who will pray for you and your child.  Godparents must themselves be baptized, and should also be confirmed. 

Frequently asked questions  

Q. I wasn’t baptised as a baby – can I still get baptised?

A. Of course – baptism for someone who can answer for themselves is a very special event, for you will be making promises on your own behalf which you intend to keep.

Q. What's the difference between a baptism and a christening? 

A.  None, they are just different words for the same thing.  

Q. What is the right age for baptism? 

A. Baptism can happen at any age. What matters is that those concerned are committed to bring up a child as a Christian.  

Teenagers and adults may also be baptized. This is celebrated with confirmation by the Bishop. You can only be baptised once, but there are ways of renewing your Christian commitment publicly as an adult - your priest will be able to advise you. 

Q.  I'm not a regular churchgoer. Can I still have my child baptised? 

A. Yes. The Church believes that God's love is available to all, regardless of their background. Your parish priest can talk you through the options: you might prefer to have a thanksgiving service first and then consider baptism when you have had time to talk through what is being asked of you. You may also wish to find out more about the Christian faith and what joining the Church involves before you make a decision about baptism. Again, your parish priest can give you guidance. 

Q. What does it cost? 

A. A Baptism service is free, but there is a collection plate at the entrance of the church, and we welcome donations to support the work of our churches. 

Q. I don’t live in the parish – can I still have my child baptised here? 

A. It is usual for a child to be baptised in their own parish church. However, you may have family connections with one of our churches.  We ask that you obtain permission from your own parish priest, and attend a baptism preparation class either in your own parish, or in Stamford Bridge.  The time can be arranged for when you are visiting the area. 

The Service of Holy Baptism 

Words of welcome or introduction may be said.

The Lord be with you
And also with you

Introduction

Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to your faithful people new life in the water of baptism. Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love, and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit now and for ever. Amen.

The Reading

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The Sermon

Presentation of the Candidates

The parents, Godparents and candidates stand and face the congregation.

For those who are able to answer for themselves

Do you wish to be baptized?
I do.

Testimony by the candidate(s) may follow

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/candidates and uphold them in their new life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

For those unable to answer for themselves  the president then says to the parents and godparents

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 these children 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.

The Decision
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 reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.

Signing with the Cross
The president or another minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate, saying

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

The president, parents, godparents and candidates gather round  the baptismal font.

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.

The Profession of Faith
The president addresses the congregation

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with these candidates the faith of the Church. Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
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.

Baptism

If the candidate(s) can answer for themselves:

N, is this your faith?
This is my faith.

The president or another minister dips each candidate in water, or pours water on them, saying

N, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.

The Welcome and Peace

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism: N and N, 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.

The congregation may greet the newly baptized as the president, parents, godparents and candidates return to their places

The Commission

Prayers are said for those unable to answer for themselves Or to the newly baptized who are able to answer for themselves:, a minister may say

Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God. Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people, loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society, by prayer for the world and its leaders, by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
With the help of God, I will.

May Christ dwell in your heart(s) through faith, that you may be rooted and grounded in love and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.
Amen.

Final prayers

The Blessing

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Giving of a Lighted Candle

The president or another person may give each of the newly baptized a lighted candle. These may be lit from the candle used at the Decision. When all the newly baptized have received a candle, the president says

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and has given us a place with the saints in light. You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life. Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.

The Dismissal

Go in the light and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.