Births

Below you will find an example of two services designed for babies in our church. Click to follow the links.

 

Births: Infant Presentation/ Baby blessing

 

Births: Infant Baptism (under the URC rites for committed Christian families)

In both services we offer you the chance to pick a special song or piece of music that you would like playing at this ceremony.  The examples given below are merely examples of how Baby Blessings and Infant Baptisms have been done before, and they are adaptable to your own family.

There is no exact age that your child must be to receive either ceremony; it can vary from a few weeks or a few years old- whenever it is a convenient time for you.

Services normally happen during our Sunday Morning worship form 10.45-11.45 but can happen later if necessary.

For more information please get in touch with our minister.

Baby Blessing: Hannah

Introduction

Bible Verse

Prayers

Parents Promise

Congregation Presentation

Godparents promise

Blessing

Presentation of candle and certificate

Celtic Blessing

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Introduction

In the name of Jesus we welcome today Ashley and Claudine, with their new daughter Hannah, and members of their wider family and friends.

Ashley and Claudine are here to present their child before the Lord, as Jesus was presented in the Temple by his parents.  In so doing they recognise that Hannah is not their personal property but belongs also to God, and that as parents they have responsibilities before God.  In their promises they will commit themselves to fulfil those responsibilities.

Those special friends chosen by Ashley and Claudine will promise to nurture and encourage Hannah throughout her life.

And as a church, we shall welcome Hannah into our family, as Jesus welcomed children brought to him. Also we shall promise in the presence of God to offer out support and friendship to this child and her family, and to join with Ashley and Claudine in sharing our faith in Jesus Christ in the hope that she may one day discover such a faith for herself.

Finally, we shall ask God’s blessing on Hannah.

Bible Verse

First some verses from Matthews Gospel 18: 3-4.

Jesus said:  Truly, I tell you, unless you turn round and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whoever humbles himself and becomes like this child will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven”.

Prayers

Let us Pray:

Living God, we praise you, the creator of all things,

The giver of all life, and the Father of each person.

Joyfully we thank you for the gift of new life in the birth of this child.

For all that you have given and will give to us through her.

For the potential of her new life;

For the love and hope she has awakened

And for the care which surrounds her

Accept our thanks and praise

In the name of Jesus Christ – Amen.

The Promises:

The parents are asked by the minister:

Minister:            Ashley and Claudine, do you thank God for his gift of your child, and do you accept the joys and duties of parenthood, promising to give love and care to your child?

Parents: WE DO.

Minister:            Do you promise to bring your daughter up within the Christian community and to share your own faith with her?

Parents: We do

Minister:            What names have you given to your daughter?

Parents: (Give Childs Full name including middle names and family names?)

Congregation presentation:

Minister then takes the child from the mother and going to the centre of the church, says:

Minister:            Hannah Leigh Matthews we welcome you in the name of the Lord.

(Show her to the congregation)

Godparents Promise:

Minister:            Do you the God parents accept the privilege and responsibility of Godparent to Hannah to stand with Ashley and Claudine and help them in every way you can and to join with them in the nurturing and encouragement of this little one.

Godparents:  We do!

Blessing-     Placing hand on the child’s head, the leader says:

Minister      Hannah Leigh Matthews, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.      Numbers 6:24-26

Hannah you are one of God’s children, held forever in his love.  The blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest and remain with you now and always.

Minister gives Baby back to Father:

Presentation of candle and certificate.  

This light is a reminder of Jesus to you – Jesus who said:  I am the light of the world.

May his light shine on Hannah always, and may she know his guidance and peace.

As we pray lets Look at the candle and focus on the light.

Celtic Blessing: 

Let us Pray:  (Look at the candle)

Christ as a light, illumine and guide me.

Christ as a shield, overshadow me.

Christ under me,

Christ over me,

Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me.

Lowly and meek, yet all powerful,

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak,

In the mouth of each who speaks to me.

This day be within and without me.

Lowly and meek, yet all powerful,

Christ as a light,

Christ as a shield,

Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Amen.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

God our Father, maker of all that is living, we praise you for the wonder and joy of creation.  We thank you for the love that has summoned this child into being, for a safe delivery, and for the privilege of parenthood.  Accept our thanks and praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We ask your rich blessing on Hannah on her parents and Godparents, and on the family that is Leytonstone United Free Church.  Help them to surround Hannah with love and security.  Give them grace and wisdom to teach Hannah your truth and guide her in your ways; and through their love for this child may they learn to love you more.

We commend to you this home and family, and all the homes and families represented ere this day.  Help us in our homes to honour you and to serve one another in your love, and help us to care in Christ’s name for all who are one with us in the family of His church, and for all our neighbours. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Infant Baptism: Nicole

Introduction & Bible Verse

Prayers

To The Parents

To The Godparents

To The Congregation

Baptism

Presentation of candle and certificate

Celtic Blessing

 

Introduction

We welcome Liz and Paul, who have brought their daughter Nicole here today for the sacrament of baptism.  Welcome also to big sister Melissa on this special day for the whole family.

 Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples after his resurrection, “All authority on heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”.

In bringing Nicola for baptism, Liz and Paul are acknowledging the challenge to consider their own faith in Jesus Christ, and expressing their desire and prayer that their children too should have that faith.

 They are praying that with God’s help they will continue to be one, so that their children will grow up in the knowledge that they are loved by God, promised salvation through Jesus Christ, and called to be his disciples.

Through baptism we receive these children into the family of the church, accepting our responsibility to teach and nurture Nicole in the faith, together with their parents, and praying that in due time they will of their own free will confirm what we have done today by responding in faith to the grace of Jesus Christ.

Prayers

Let us pray:

Almighty and eternal God, we give you thanks for Jesus Christ your son, who was born as one of us, lived among us, died and rose again so that we might have life in him and be made members of his body, and heirs to his Kingdom. 

Those of us who have been baptised give you our thanks again for our life in Christ, and give ourselves once more to you in trust, in love and in service.

And now we pray that your blessing will be on what we do today, so that Nicole, whom we baptise in your name, may receive the fullness of your grace, and always remain in the fellowship of your Holy people.

Keep Nicole always in your love; grant that they may grow strong and healthy in body and mind; protect Nicole in all dangers and temptations; and bring Nicole to faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

We ask your blessing on Nicole’s parents and Godparents.  Help them to surround Nicole with love and security.  Give them grace and wisdom to teach Nicole your truth and guide Nicole in your ways; and through their love for this child may they learn to love you more.

We commend to you this home and family, and all the homes and families of this congregation. Help us in our homes to honour you and to serve one another in your love, and help us to care in Christ’s name for all who are one with us in the family of His church, and for all our neighbours.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

To The Parents:

Minister:            Liz, in bringing Nicole for baptism, do you declare anew your faith in God and pray sincerely for His help that you may love and cherish these children and bring them up in the faith of Christ and the fellowship of His church?

Parents:             WE DO. (Or Liz:  I do)

Minister:                        What names have you given to your daughter?

Parents:             Nicole Morrison

To the Godparents:      

Minister:                        Do you accept the privilege and responsibility of Godparents to stand by these parents and help them in every way you can to keep the declarations they have made?

Godparents:                   WE DO!

Minister carries Nicole into the body of the church.

Congregation to stand.

Do you, as a congregation of God’s people, receive Nicole in the name of Christ, promising to play your part in their Christian upbringing, by providing instruction in the Christian faith, by the example of your lives, and the strong support of Christian fellowship?

Congregation:    WE DO!

The Baptism

Nicole Morrison, I baptise you in the name of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift up the light of His countenance upon you, and give you peace.   Amen.

[To the congregation] You are witnesses that Nicole has been received into the family of God.  Pray for Nicole, care for Nicole that she may grow in Christian faith and understanding, and continue in Christ’s service all her days.

To Parents:

Liz and Paul: Jesus said: “Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me”.  Receive this your child, and may you know day by day the truth of your promise.

 

Presentation of candle and certificate. Received by Godparents on behalf of the parents.

This light is a reminder of Jesus to you – Jesus who said:  I am the light of the world.

May his light shine on Hannah always, and may she know his guidance and peace.

As we pray lets Look at the candle and focus on the light.

Celtic Blessing

Let us Pray:  (Look at the candle)

Christ as a light, illumine and guide me.

Christ as a shield, overshadow me.

Christ under me,

Christ over me,

Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me.

Lowly and meek, yet all powerful,

Be in the heart of each to whom I speak,

In the mouth of each who speaks to me.

This day be within and without me.

Lowly and meek, yet all powerful,

Christ as a light,

Christ as a shield,

Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Amen.