HOLY BAPTISM FOR CHILDREN

Acts To Worship Psalm 34:1-22

Leader:
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted
hear and rejoice.
People:
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he
delivered me from all my fears.
Leader:
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and
the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
People:
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that
the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Leader:
Fear the LORD, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
People:
Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires
to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.
Leader:
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are
attentive to their cry;
People:
But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous
cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
Leader:
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have
many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;
People:
He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous
will be condemned.
ALL:
The LORD will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Hymn - Jesus Loves Me

Invocation
Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to 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 forever. Amen.

Gospel Reading: Mark 10: 13-16

Message of Life: Ptr Moody

The Baptismal Covenant

Pastor: Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ's holy
Church. We are incorporated into God's mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit.
All this is God's gift, offered to us without price.

RENUNCIATION OF SIN AND PROFESSION OF FAITH

Pastor: On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
Witness/Parents - I do.
Pastor: Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever
forms they present themselves?
Witness/Parents - I do.
Pastor: Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as
your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
Witness/Parents - I do.
Pastor: Will you nurture these children (persons) in Christ's holy Church,
that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God's grace for themselves, to profess their faith
openly, and to lead a Christian life?
Witness/Parents - I will.
Pastor: Do you, as Christ's body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
Congregation: We do.
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons now before you in your care?
Congregation: With God's help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ.
We will surround these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their
service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to
life.
Pastor: Let us join together in professing the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments. Do you believe in God the Father?
Congregation: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Pastor: Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
Congregation: 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, is seated at the right
hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.]
Pastor: Do you believe 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.]

THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER All may stand.

Pastor: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Pastor: Let us pray.
The pastor may place hands in or over the water, stir the water, or lift the water.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and those who receive it, to wash away their sin and clothe
them in righteousness throughout their lives, that, dying and being raised with Christ, they may share in his final
victory. All praise to you, Eternal Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives
and reigns for ever. Amen.
BAPTISM WITH LAYING ON OF HANDS
Pastor: I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Holy Spirit
work within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus
Christ. Amen.
Now it is our joy to welcome baby _____ our new sisters in Christ. Through baptism you are incorporated by
the Holy Spirit into God's new creation and made to share in Christ's royal priesthood. We are all one in
Christ Jesus. With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome you as members of the family of Christ.
COMMENDATION AND WELCOME
Pastor: Members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care. Do all in your power
to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.
Congregation: We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you in the body of Christ and in this congregation of The United Methodist
Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our
presence, our gifts, our service and our witness, that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus
Christ.

Pastor to the Child:  Baby __________, you are now a part of a Community of Faith that spans race, gender,
generations, and nations.  We welcome you into this flock that you may both give and receive of God's grace.
Let us pray. O God, we thank you for the gift of [___________].  It is our prayer that [__________] will come to
know the joy and suffering of being concerned about everyone [she] meets; that [she] will see each person worthy
of dignity and acceptance. We pray for her a growth into fuller and deeper levels of humanity as she lives the
example of Jesus.
We pray that [_______] will understand that You alone can give life meaning and purpose and direction, O God;
and that she will be on her knees before You with words of repentance and thanksgiving; and on her] feet for You
with deeds of love. This is our prayer, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Closing Hymn – O Jesus I Have Promise

Benediction
The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, establish you and strengthen you by the power
of the Holy Spirit, that you may live in grace and peace.