The Order for Celebration of Holy         Communion with Baptism and Confirmation

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(Parts in italics are only used if there is a Baptism)

SERMON

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

The candidates may be presented to the congregation by the priest, or where appropriate, they may be presented by their godparents or sponsors. 

The bishop asks those who are candidates for baptism:

Do you wish to be baptized?
I do.

The bishop asks the candidates for confirmation who have been baptized :

Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
I have. 

The bishop asks all the candidates: 

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
I am.

The bishop 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 these candidates and uphold them in their life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

If children are to be baptized, the questions to parents and godparents in the service for Holy Baptism are used. 

THE DECISION 

The Paschal Candle is lit. The bishop addresses all the candidates: 

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask: 

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.

SIGNING WITH THE CROSS 

The bishop or another minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate for baptism, saying: 

Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of his cross. 

The bishop may invite their sponsors to sign the candidates with the sign of the cross. 

When all the candidates for baptism have been signed, the bishop says to them: 

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

The bishop says: 

May 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. Amen.

 or when there are no candidates for baptism he may say: 

May God who has given you the desire to follow Christ
give you strength to continue in the Way. Amen. 

PROFESSION OF FAITH 

The bishop addresses the congregation: 

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess
together with these candidates
the faith of the Church. 

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth. 

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead. 

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
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. Amen. 

BAPTISM 

The bishop may address each candidate for baptism by name, saying: 

N, is this your faith? 

and candidates answer in their own words, or

This is my faith. 

The bishop dips each candidate in water, or pours water on them, saying 

N, I baptize you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

If the newly baptized are clothed with a white robe, a hymn or song may be used, and a minister may say: 

You have been clothed with Christ.
As many as are baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 

If those who have been baptized were not signed with the cross immediately after the Decision, the bishop signs each one now. 

The bishop says: 

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. Amen. 

Then the bishop says:

Almighty God,
we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith
with all who have been baptized into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism,
and so make us ready for that day
when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. 

The bishop and the candidates gather at the place of confirmation. A hymn, chant or litany may be used. 

CONFIRMATION 

The bishop stands before those who are to be confirmed, and says: 

Our help is in the name of the Lord
who has made heaven and earth. 

Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and for ever. Amen. 

The bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says: 

Almighty and ever-living God,
you have given these your servants new birth
in baptism by water and the Spirit,
and have forgiven them all their sins.
Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;
the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. Amen. 

The bishop confirms each candidate : 

Confirm, O Lord, your servant N, with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

N, be sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

The bishop invites the congregation to pray for all those on whom hands have been laid 

Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace,
that they may continue yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more
until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

(COMMISSION optional)

(The bishop may use this Commission) 

Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God. 

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will. 

Will you persevere in resisting evil,
and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.

 Will you proclaim by word and example
the good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will. 

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will. 

Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society,
by prayer for the world and its leaders,
by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
With the help of God, I will. 

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,
that you may be rooted and grounded in love
and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.)

 (The Prayers of Intercession may follow. It is appropriate that the newly baptized and confirmed take their part in leading the prayers.)

THE WELCOME AND PEACE

 The bishop addresses the newly baptized: 

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.
N and N, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.
We welcome you in the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you. 

The congregation may greet the newly baptized. 

The bishop introduces the Peace in these or other suitable words:

God has made us one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us
and, as a pledge of what is to come,
has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts. 

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

(GIVING OF A LIGHTED CANDLE optional)

A hymn may be sung. 

The bishop or another person may give all candidates a lighted candle.

When all have received a candle, the bishop says:

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness
and has given us a place with the saints in light. 

You have received the light of Christ;
walk in this light all the days of your life.
Shine as a light in the world
to the glory of God the Father. 

( The Bishop likes an opportunity for photographs immediately after the blessing and before the dismissal and final hymn.  If notices are given could they please be in the same place. The Bishop also likes to confirm from a Chair placed in the centre of the Church and to confirm individually)