Holy Baptism
A hymn, psalm, or anthem may be sung.
The people standing, the Celebrant says
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
In place of the above, from Easter Day through the Day of Pentecost
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
In Lent and on other penitential occasions
Celebrant Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins.
People His mercy endures for ever.
The Celebrant then continues
There is one Body and one Spirit;
People There is one hope in God's call to us;
Celebrant One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
People One God and Father of all.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
The Collect of the Day
People Amen.
At the principal service on a Sunday or other feast, the Collect and Lessons are properly those of the Day. On other occasions, they are selected from "At Baptism." (See Additional Directions)
The Lessons
The people sit. One or two Lessons, as appointed, are read, the Reader first saying
A Reading (Lesson) from ______________________.
A citation giving chapter and verse may be added.
After each Reading, the Reader may say
The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God
or the Reader may say Here ends the Reading (Epistle).
Silence may follow.
A Psalm, hymn, or anthem may follow each Reading.
Then, all standing, the Deacon or a Priest reads the Gospel, first saying
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to _________________.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel, the Reader says
The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
Or the Sermon may be preached after the Peace.
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
The Celebrant says
The Candidate(s) for Holy Baptism will now be presented.
Adults and Older Children
The candidates who are able to answer for themselves are presented individually by their Sponsors, as follows
Sponsor I present N. to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
The Celebrant asks each candidate when presented
Do you desire to be baptized?
Candidate I do.
Infants and Younger Children
Then the candidates who are unable to answer for themselves are presented individually by their Parents and Godparents, as follows
Parents and Godparents
I present N. to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
When all have been presented the Celebrant asks the parents and godparents
Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
Parents and Godparents
I will, with God's help.
Celebrant
Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?
Parents and Godparents
I will, with God's help.
Then the Celebrant asks the following questions of the candidates who can speak for themselves, and of the parents and godparents who speak on behalf of the infants and younger children
Question Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer I renounce them.
Question Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer I renounce them.
Question Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer I renounce them.
Question Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Answer I do.
Question Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer I do.
Question Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
Answer I do.
When there are others to be presented, the Bishop says
The other Candidate(s) will now be presented.
Presenters I present these persons for Confirmation.
or I present these persons to be received into this Communion.
or I present these persons who desire to reaffirm their baptismal vows.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidate I do.
Bishop
Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidate
I do, and with God's grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.
After all have been presented, the Celebrant addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People We will.
The Celebrant then says these or similar words
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the Father?
People
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by 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.
Celebrant
Do you believe in God the holy Spirit?
Celebrant
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.
Celebrant
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People
I will, with God's help.
Celebrant
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
People
I will, with God's help.
Celebrant
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People
I will, with God's help.
Celebrant
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People
I will, with God's help.
Celebrant
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People
I will, with God's help.
Prayers for the Candidates
The Celebrant then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth [and for those (this person) who have renewed their commitment to Christ.]
A Person appointed leads the following petitions
Leader
Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People
Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader
Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.