AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE CHRISTENING OF CHILDREN

"For by one Spirit are we all Baptised into one body."

1 Cor: 12, 13.

**Baptism is not to be regarded merely as a ceremony devised for the Christian naming of infants. It is a sacrament, in which the children are brought publicly to be Baptised, and to be received into the Church of Christ; and in which they are brought into the Spiritual Presence of God, in order that they may receive His Holy Blessing. It is a service of consecration and dedication, of faith and thanksgiving and worship of God.

**Baptising with flowers and the giving of Spirit names to children, are sometimes favoured, but it should be regarded only as an addition to the ceremony of baptising by water, which symbolises the Divine Power of the Holy Spirit, to be as a sure protection for the years that lie in front.

**Due notice should be given to the Church of any children requiring to be Baptised. It may be convenient for the ceremony to be quite separate from the ordinary Church services, or it can immediately precede or immediately follow, the Sunday Divine Service. In the case of the latter, the Parents and godparents can bring in the child during the singing of the last hymn. In the case of godparents, it is customary to appoint two god-fathers and one godmother for a male child; and two godmothers and one godfather for a female child. It is usual in these cases for the child to be brought into the Church and presented and named by the godparents. Whilst the practice of having godparents to stand as the spiritual guardians of the child has largely fallen into disuse, and is not obligatory, it is nevertheless good, and to be encouraged. Seats should be reserved for those taking part conveniently near the place of Baptising, either the font or holy table, and a vessel of freshly drawn water placed in readiness. In Winter the water should be warmed. Before the ceremony commences, the name of each child in full, with the date of birth, and the names of both parents, should be given in writing to the Minister.

**After the Service, a Certificate of Baptism should be made out by the Minister and handed to the parents. A suitable register should be kept by the Church of all Baptisms performed. (Church registers and Baptismal Certificates can be obtained from the Greater World Spiritual Centre, 3-5 Conway Street, London W1P 5HA Telephone: 0207 436 7555 Fax: 0207 580 3485 ).

**The Minister, meeting the parents and godparents at the font in the Church, will open the Service by reading the parable of the Good Shepherd:

St John 10: 11-16

Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.

As the Father knoweth Me even so know I the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one Fold, and one Shepherd.

**Then follows the Lord's prayer, and the Minister will say:

LET US PRAY

Beginning 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. When in temptation, Thy Love sustains us, and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. For ever and ever. Amen.

OUR GOD and Father, we turn to Thee with thankful hearts for these Thy children and their child. They, expressing their nearness to Thee in this trinity of love, bring the miracle sent from Thee, to be dedicated in loving homage to the One Who gave it.

HELP them, O Father, that they may be wise and patient and understanding in the unfoldment of the infant mind, and the care of the growing body. Give them courage in times of difficulty, and self-denial in bringing up their child; and so bless them, drawing them very close to Thyself, that they may give of their best and ever dwell in love under Thy protection. Amen.

O SAVIOUR Christ, we humbly ask Thee to enfold in Thy protection this little one. Surround him/her with Thy radiance, shower upon him/her Thy spiritual strength and be very near to him/her; so that he/she may hear Thy voice and follow Thy call. Open his/her eyes to the beauty of Spirit, and help him/her as he/she grows to see that beauty in all Thy Creation.

WE pray Thee to inspire his/her spiritual helpers so that they may hold his/her safety and his/her well-being in truth and under Thy guidance.

O THOU Who wast a little child, knowing a child's sorrows and joys, be Thou his/her Companion in play, in sleep, in wakefulness, and in all his/her growing days; and be his/her Friend most dear, to understand, to console, and to bless. Amen.

** Here follows the reading from our Lord's parable of the Vine and its branches. This parable is very important, as it signifies the unity of the family of God, and the spiritual life-forces which flow from Christ to all its members. The Parable of the Vine is linked to the earlier parable of the Good Shepherd, in which our Lord speaks not only of His own, but those of other folds, which He must bring in. Each new member brought in is grafted to the Vine, to become a healthy, growing and fruitful branch.

ST. JOHN 15.

l am the true Vine, and the Father is the husband-man. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit He purgeth it, so that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in Me, and I in You. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.

I am the Vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in Me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.

If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.

HYMN

(Appropriate: "Loving Shepherd of Thy sheep.")

**Then follows the words of consecration, the Minister saying:

IN the Name of the Saviour Christ, we offer this child to the Ministry of the Spirit. In the Name of the Saviour, Who lovest all children, we bring this child to Him; and we ask that He will be his/her Guide, Counsellor and Friend, to his/her life's end. Amen.

**Then the Minister, placing his hand over the water in the font, will say:

MAY the waters of the Spirit mingle with this water, to consecrate this child and keep him/her pure and holy, to keep him/her as a child dedicated to the Master Christ. So may this little one answer His call and ever follow in His footsteps, in love, obedience and service. Amen.

O HOLY Spirit, come now with all Thy gifts, to endue this child, to strengthen and prepare him/her for the life before him/her; so that he/she may be strong in faith, courageous in spirit, and valiant for right; that at last he/she may hear the loving words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".

THE BAPTISM

**The Minister, taking the child into his arms, will say to the parents, or those who have brought him/her:

"NAME THIS CHILD"

**Only Christian names are given. Then naming the child after the parent(s) have named the child, he will sprinkle the child's forehead with water, saying:

("Name": Christian name only)...I Baptise thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS

**Then, still holding the child, the Minister will say:

We place the Sign of protection and spiritual power - the Sign of the Cross - upon this child…(the Minister makes the Sign of the Cross with water on the child's forehead)...in certainty that he/she, being held in the glory of Christ's Cross, shall be enabled to live courageously, faithfully and in love. Amen.

**In the event of there being more than one child to be Baptised, each will be held and Baptised and Signed in turn.

**The Minister will then say:

LET US PRAY

We lift up our hearts in joyful thanksgiving to Thee, O God, our Father, and we thank Thee for the blessing bestowed by Spirit power upon this child. Accept, we pray Thee, our reverent worship and our praise for the mystery of human birth. Give to the family enduring joy and peace in their home; and guide them into wisdom, love and truth in their work of loving service to this child.

MAY God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit guide, protect and keep you, now and always. Amen.

**Now follows these few, brief words to the parents:

My friends, you have taken part in this sacred dedication of your child to the service of Christ. We pledge you to endeavour, earnestly and in truth, to inspire and teach this little one the Way of Life as taught by the Master Jesus Christ. Let your example and influence guide him/her to be upright and honourable before all men. Train him/her in prayer, in worship, in reverence, and in the knowledge and love of God, through Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

**The Minister will now close with this blessing:

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

CONTENTS OF THE SERVICES BOOK