Baptisms

Baptisms at Covenant Presbyterian

Infants as well as adults can be baptized at Covenant.  All people are required to have been baptized before they become a member of the church.

Infants of members are baptized at the parent's request.  When you have your child baptized you are committing to raise your child in the Christian faith, and the church community is committing to help you.

Here is a sample liturgy for an infant baptism.

BAPTISM LITURGY

Pastor:  Will [the parent(s)] please come forward.

Pastor: Each time we gather at the baptismal font, we rejoice that God welcomes a new life into the family and household of God.

Elder:  On behalf of the session, I present [child's name], [daughter or son] of [parent(s)], to receive the sacrament of baptism.

Pastor: Hear the words of the Lord Jesus Christ:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Sprit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Pastor:  Obeying the word of the Lord Jesus Christ and confident of his promises, we baptize those whom God has called.   In baptism, God cleanses us with the waters of forgiveness, claims us as God’s very own and unites us to Christ and his body, the church.

Elder:  Do we as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture [child's name], by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging them to know and follow Jesus Christ and to be faithful members of his church?   

If so, please say we do.  (We do.)

Pastor: [parent's(s') names]

• Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?  If so, please say “We do.”  (We do.)

• Do you trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you wish your [daughter or son] and granddaughters to be baptized in his name. If so, please say “We do.”  (We do.)

• Do you promise to live the Christian faith, and to teach that faith to your children? If so, please say “We do.”  (We do.)

Pastor: Let us pray.  Loving God, you nurture and guide us like a father and mother. We pray for [child's name] to grow in strength of body, mind, and spirit. We pray for [his or her] family.  May [she or he] abound with the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Now set aside this water from a common use to a holy use, that those who are blessed by it would know your everlasting grace. Amen.

Pastor: What is the Christian name of your [daughter or son]?  (Parent(s) say the full name.)

[Child's name], child of the covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. You are children of God, sealed by the Spirit, and marked as Christ’s own forever. Amen.

(Child is wrapped in a quilt and given to Pastor for walk down the aisle)

Pastor:  See what love the Father has given that we should be called children of God.  And so we are.

Congregational Response: (sung)  Hymn #492, vs. 1, 3  "Baptized in Water"