Our New Baby's Baptism and Our New Community (A Personal Experience Story) - By Michael Mychajluk

As fairly new members to Kineton's friendly and family orientated community we were still a little nervous at approaching St. Peter's Church to discuss the baptism of our now third daughter. However, there was really no need to be nervous. We went to St. Peter's one bright and sunny Sunday morning and found Charmaine (the Vicar) and Ian Host and all the regular worshippers friendly and welcoming, despite our over excited young daughters and crying (teething) baby. Just like the village of Kineton and its wonderful Church of England Schools and Playgroup, St. Peter's was a perfect reflection of this warm and caring place, as of course you would expect being centred at the heart of this community.

After the peaceful (peaceful for me as my wife was soothing the baby) yet uplifting service, Charmaine took some time to talk about the baptism and to get to know us a little better. We explained that we were slowly settling into this vibrant village life, and we felt that our five month old baby should be christened soon. Charmaine was delighted that we had come to Church to ask her about the baptism and even offered to baptise our older girls, but my wife so eloquently stated that they had already been done. 

Charmaine arranged to visit us one evening when we talked more about the importance of baptism, the arrangements for the baptism, the church and its community. Everything she said was useful, thought provoking  and important. We found the evening useful in getting to know Charmaine as a person and not just a the vicar. Once we had asked and more vitally had agreement from the Godparents, we arranged a further pleasant evening with the vicar, godparents and ourselves for another meaning of life evening which was actually great fun (especially after the cork was popped from a nice bottle of wine).

I believe this process of really getting to know the vicar and discussing the meaning of the baptism was just so great and important to what turned out to be a most wonderful and joyful baptism service. Our special thanks to Charmaine, Ian, and our daughter's Godparents and to all our friends and family for making this one of the most special days we have ever had.

Baptism Service

Presentation of the Candidates

The president addresses the whole congregation

Faith is the gift of God to his people.

In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling.

People of God, will you welcome 'child's name' and uphold him/her in her new life in Christ?

All    With the help of God, we will

The president then says to the parents and godparents

Parents and godparents, the Church receives this child with joy. Today we are trusting God for his/her growth in faith. Will you pray for him/her, draw him/her by your example into the community of faith and walk with him/her in the way of Christ?

With the help of God, we will

In baptism 'child's name' begin her journey in faith. You speak for him/her today. Will you care for him/her and help him/her to take her place within the life and worship of Christ's Church?

With the help of God, we will

The Decision

Those who bring children to be baptized must affirm their allegiance to Christ and their rejection of all that is evil. It is your duty to bring up this child to fight against evil and to follow Christ.

Therefore, I ask these questions which you must answer for yourselves and for 'child's name'

    Do you turn to Christ?

    I turn to Christ

    Do you repent of you sins?

    I repent of my sins

    Do you renounce evil?

    I renounce evil.

Signing with the cross

Christ claims you for his own.

Receive the sign of the cross.

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

All    Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ against sin, the world and the devil, and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.

May the almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, restore in you the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.

Prayer over the Water

Praise God who made heaven and earth

All    who keeps his promise for ever.

let us give thanks to the Lord our God

All    It is right to give him thanks and praise

Almighty God, whose son Jesus Christ was baptized in the river Jordan: we thank you for the gift of water to cleanse us and revive us

Saving God

give us life

We thank you that through the waters of the Red Sea you led your people out of slavery to freedom in the promised land

Saving God

give us life

We thank you that through the deep waters of death you brought your Son, and raised him to life in triumph.

Saving God

give us life

Bless this water that your servants who are washed in it may be made one with Christ in his death and in his resurrection, to be cleansed and delivered from all sin.

Saving God

give us life

Send your Holy Spirit upon them, bring them to new birth in the household of faith and raise them with Christ to full and eternal life; for all might, majesty, authority and power are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Profession of Faith

Let us affirm, together with these who are being baptized, our common faith in Jesus Christ. Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all being and life, the one for whom we exist?

I believe and trust in Him

Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our hu8man nature, died for us and rose again?

I believe and trust in Him

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?

I believe and trust in Him

This is the faith of the Church

All     This is our faith. we believe and trust in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Baptism

'child's name', I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All    Amen

You have been clothed with Christ.

As many are baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church, pour upon you the riches of his grace, that within the company of Christ's pilgrim people you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit, and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.

All    Amen

Welcome

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism: by one spirit we are all baptized into one body.

All    We welcome you into the fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly father; we welcome you.

Peace

We are all one in Christ Jesus.

We belong to him through faith,

Heirs of the promise of the Spirit of peace.

If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. 

the old has passed away; the new has come

The peace of the Lord be always with you

All    And also with you