Setting: White cloth, scriptures, candles, bowl of water

Opening  Prayer:(adapted from the Rite of Baptism for Children, English Translation, 1971)
Leader: As we gather together let us remember that God uses the sacrament of water to provide divine life to all who believe.
All: In baptism we use your gift of water, which you have made a rich symbol of the grace you give us in this sacrament.
Left: At the very dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness.
Right: In the waters of the great flood you made a great sign of the waters of baptism, that make an end to sin and a new beginning of goodness.
Left: Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery, to be an image of God’s holy people, set free from sin by baptism.
Right: In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptised by John and anointed with the Spirit.
Left: Your Son willed that water and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross.
Right: After his resurrection he told his disciples: “Go out and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
Leader: May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen

Scripture:

Read: Galatians 3:26-27 and reflect: All who have been baptised into Christ. They have been clothed in Christ, have ‘put on’ Christ, symbolised by the white baptismal garment.

Read: Ephesians 4: 20-24 and reflect: Putting on the ‘new self’ refers to the Sacrament of Baptism.

Read: Colossians 3:9-10 and reflect: Christians have put on the new self in Baptism.

Read: Colossians 3:12-15 and reflect: Compassion, love and peace are the consequences of putting on the new self.

Read: Ephesians 4:1-7

Psalm 36:5-12 Response:  Lord, you are the source of life, and in the light of your glory we see light.

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord. Response: Lord, you are…

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life;  in your light we see light. Response: Lord, you are…

O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart! Do not let the foot of the arrogant tread on me, or the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie prostrate; they are thrust down, unable to rise. Response: Lord, you are…

Renewal of Faith:  (adapted from the Book of Blessings – ‘Order of Blessing of a Baptismal Font’.)

Leader: Let us call to mind the faith we professed when we received the sacraments of Christian initiation, so that led by the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may have the power to live up to this faith more fully each day.

All: We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers of the Faithful: (adapted from the Book of Blessings – Order of Blessing of a Baptismal Font.)

Through the paschal mystery our loving God has given us rebirth from water and the Holy Spirit into a new life as God’s children. With hearts united we pray:

All: Lord, renew us in the wonders of your power.

Father of mercies, you have created us in your own image and sanctified us through baptism; make us always and everywhere conscious of your gift and our Christian dignity. For this we pray. All: Lord, renew us in the wonders of your power.

From the side of Christ you brought forth the waters of the Holy Spirit; make this life-giving water that we receive become for us a fountain of living water leaping up to provide eternal life. For this we pray. All: Lord, renew us in the wonders of your power.

In the waters of baptism you have made us a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy people; grant that we will fulfill our Christian responsibilities by proclaiming goodness to all. For this we pray. All: Lord, renew us in the wonders of your power.

You constantly increase your church with new members; grant that all those reborn in the waters of baptism will live up to what they have acknowledged in faith. For this we pray. All: Lord, renew us in the wonders of your power.

OR Prayers of the Faithful/Universal Prayers:

God of mercy, through the waters of baptism you have filled us with new life as your very own children. We are one people, united in your Son Jesus Christ and we are all called to live out the invitation ‘to be holy’ in different ways.

1. For all who have been baptised, that their hearts be filled with the spirit of your love as they announce the Good News of Jesus Christ to people everywhere. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
2. For people who have chosen a single life, a personal commitment to put their freedom at the service of others in their work and prayer. May they strive to follow Christ in their daily lives. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
3. For all married couples, who have given themselves to each other completely and have promised to love each other faithfully for the rest of their lives. May they continue to share their joys and sufferings in whatever circumstances life brings them. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord hear our prayer.
4. For those who have chosen the consecrated life, a path of following Christ through the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. May they continue to model their lives on the life of Jesus, making their hearts more free for prayer and service. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord hear our prayer.

For those who have chosen the ordained ministry, through sacramental ordination, sharing in the priesthood of Christ in a special way. May they continue to represent Christ as the Head of the Church and minister to the faithful as Christ in person. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord hear our prayer.

Leader: Remembering that our baptism gave us the spirit of adopted children and mindful of our saviour’s command, let us pray to our heavenly Father, saying: All: Our Father…

Concluding Prayer:

All: Loving God, You have called me to life and gifted me in many ways. Help me to become all You desire of me. Lead me to choose the path of life You have planned for me.

Open my heart to listen to Your call and guide me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may have the courage to respond to You.