Baptismal Prep
First Baptism Conversation
What is your personal practice of faith?
Prayer?
Reading? (Bible or Otherwise)
Worship? - What church
Conversations with other Christians
Action?
Words?
Do you have a personal relationship with God?
It is okay to not be perfect or great in any of these things, the important thing is to want to and try to grow in them. Remember that you will be the primary person/people who raise your child in the faith. Just as they will watch, listen and learn from you to learn how to speak and move, they will be doing the exact same thing when it comes to matters of faith. This child will see how important it is to you, what it means, when you depend on it, when you don’t, how it challenges you to live and so much more.
- Who do you believe can help you in this work of raising this child in faith? These would be your God Parents - Recommended 2-3
What is the story of your faith life?
What are some passages that always stick with you? Favorites?
Why are you a Christian?
How did it happen?
Who are the people that helped you here?
What events brought you here?
What are some memories revolving around faith that stick out for you, both good and bad?
When did you first give your life over to Jesus as your Lord and saviour?
How have you been fostering growth in that decision?
This is to help you find your personal relationship, connection and history with God. We all have one, but sometimes we have to tease it out, because God will not force himself on any of us.
What is baptism to you? Once you think about this explore these key themes.
Blessing
Choice
Washing
Death
Deliverance
Joining with Christ
Adoption
Remember, baptism is not magic, it is first a public commitment to God and the blessings result from that growing relationship and continual commitment
Why do you think baptism is important?
Why is baptism public in a church?
The promise of the community to uphold you in faith
It takes a church to raise a Christian
People become Christian not through one choice, but through continual choices, experience, and discipleship
Public declaration - Witnesses to your faith and you are bearing your witness to others - accountability and evangelism
The church is the body of Christ, which you are joining yourself to
Why Child Baptism?
You making the promise for them
You are a conjoined unit as they are dependent on your faith
Their faith in you points to what you have faith in
What are some ideas you have for raising children in faith?
How could we equip you better?
Here are some ideas
Raise them in a Christian community
Create a Family Faith Time
Praying together
Say the Lord’s Prayer together until they can say it on their own
Discussing everything you experience in the context of faith
Think about what you watch or introduce them to
Telling the Christian Story to them - If you know a story from the bible or from history use it as a bedtime story or for storytime
Storybook Bible (I normally provide families with a copy as an early baptism present)
Sharing your faith and experience
In the Second Conversation, we walk through the service of Baptism and talk about what is being said and done. Below you will find the service and the directions for parents and Godparents. These words below do not contain what I would say to describe each of these moments, as that should be done with the priest presiding, but if you would like more details please let me know and I will add them.
This is taken from the Book of Alternative Services available at https://www.anglican.ca/wp-content/uploads/BAS.pdf. The baptism service begins on pg 146 (for description) or 150 for the service itself
Baptismal directions:
After the sermon: You will stand (Parents and Godparents) and present your child.
I will say: Please present this child
You will say: I present (full name) to receive the sacrament of baptism
Remaining standing for the promises:
Celebrant: Will you be responsible for seeing that the child
you present is nurtured in the faith and life of the
Christian community?
Parents and sponsors,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 sponsors, I will, with God’s help.
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
Saviour?
Answer I do.
Question Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer I do.
Question Do you promise to obey him as your Lord?
Answer I do.
Then I will ask the congregation:
Will you who witness these vows do all in your
power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People We will.
Then you will take a position of prayer: kneeling or sitting is fine. At the end of this prayer time, you will have an opportunity to say a prayer or blessing over your child.
Song.
We will go through the prayers and thanksgiving over the water
With the congregation, you will stand and say 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 power of 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?
People I believe in God 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 neighbour 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.
Celebrant Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God's
creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of
the Earth?
People I will, with God’s help.
Celebrant Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s
creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of
the Earth?
People I will, with God’s help.
At this point, I will ask you to come up beside the Font (At this time it will only be the parents). You will hold the child and lean his/her head over the font as I mark the child with a cross.
We will introduce the child to their new family in Christ, by walking up and down the aisle for everyone to see and then you will go back into your pew.
Still standing: You will bring out the baptismal candle provided (The candle is preferably given to the parent holding the child, but not necessarily. The candle is provided by the church and yours to keep).
Celebrant Receive the light of Christ,
to show that you have passed from darkness to light.
When all of the newly baptized have received candles,
the people say, Let your light so shine before others
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Celebrant Let us welcome the newly baptized.
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.
After this, you will be invited to share Christ's peace with all those around you.
