Our Welcomer’s invite everyone to take a seat in the Church at the beginning of the service. During the service the Priest or other minister will invite those to be baptised (and in the case of a child; parents and godparents) to the font, which contains the water for baptism. If a child is not old enough to make promises on their own behalf parent(s) and godparents will be asked to make them for them.
Declarations are made rejecting evil and all those things which draw us away from God. You are asked to repent of your sins and turn to Christ, the light of the world.
The Candle The large Easter candle is lit reminding us of Christ’s death and resurrection and that Christ is the light of the world and is with us always. The baptismal candle will later be lit from this candle signifying the light of Christ in the life of those who have been baptised.
The Sign of the Cross The sign of the cross using Holy Oil will be made on the forehead, signifying the mark of Christ.
The Water The water is prayed over and blessed and is gently poured over the head as a sign of being washed free from sin and of starting a new life in Christ.
Prayers Prayers are said for those being baptised and for any parent(s) and godparents to protect, strengthen and encourage everyone on their journey of faith.
The Welcome Those who have been baptised are then, no matter what age, welcomed fully into the Church family and will usually receive a round of applause!
The Baptism of Jesus Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water...the Spirit descended on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven saying: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ (The Bible: Mark Chapter 1; Verses 9-11)
In this Gospel reading we see how Jesus, God’s own son, by honouring God and being baptised causes God to declare ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’. Jesus came to show us the way and in following him in being baptised and raised into a new life in Christ we can be certain God declares to your child at baptism “You are my daughter/son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”. How wonderful is that!
This is the application for a baptism form for you to download and complete.