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 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.

People
Lord, hear our prayer.

The Celebrant says
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and forever. Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water

The Celebrant blesses the water, first saying
          The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Celebrant
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, Father, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore in joyful obedience to your Son, we bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

At the following words, the Celebrant touches the water

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Consecration of the Chrism

The Bishop may then consecrate oil of Chrism, placing a hand on the vessel of oil, and saying

Eternal Father, whose blessed Son was anointed by the Holy Spirit to be the Savior and servant of all, we pray you to consecrate this oil, that those who are sealed with it may share in the royal priesthood of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Baptism

Each candidate is presented by name to the Celebrant, or to an assisting priest or deacon, who then immerses, or pours water upon, the candidate, saying
N., I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

When this action has been completed for all candidates, the Bishop or Priest, at a place in full sight of the congregation, prays over them, saying

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

Then the Bishop or Priest places a hand on the person's head, marking on the forehead the sign of the cross [using Chrism if desired] and saying to each one

N., you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own for ever. Amen.

Or this action may be done immediately after the administration of the water and before the preceding prayer.

When all have been baptized, the Celebrant says
Let us welcome the newly baptized.

Celebrant and People
We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.

If Confirmation, Reception, or the Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows is not to follow, the Peace is now exchanged

Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.

At Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation

The Bishop says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.

Silence may be kept.

Then the Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For Confirmation

The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit; empower him for your service; and sustain him all the days of his life. Amen.

or this

Defend, O Lord, your servant N. with your heavenly grace, that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

For Reception

N., we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.

For Reaffirmation

N., may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen.

Then the Bishop says

Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Peace is then exchanged

Bishop The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And also with you.

At the Eucharist

The service then continues with the Prayers of the People or the Offertory of the Eucharist, at which the Bishop, when present, should be the princpal Celebrant.

Except on Principal Feasts, the Proper Preface of Baptism may be used.

Alternative Ending

If there is no celebration of the Eucharist, the service continues with the Lord's Prayer

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,
  and the power, and the glory,
  for ever and ever.  Amen.

Our Father in heaven,
 hallowed be your Name,
 your kingdom come,
 your will be done,
	on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
 as we forgive those
	who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial,
 and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,
 and the glory are yours,
 now and for ever.  Amen.

The Celebrant then says
All praise and thanks to you, most merciful Father, for adopting us as your own children, for incorporating us into your holy Church, and for making us worthy to share in the inheritance of the saints in light; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Alms may be received and presented, and other prayers may be added, concluding with this prayer

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and earth is named, grant you to be strengthened with might by his Holy Spirit, that, Christ dwelling in your hearts by faith, you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Amen.