HOLY BAPTISM TWO IN MORNING OR EVENING 
PRAYER 
Pastoral Introduction 
Baptism marks the beginning of a journey with God which continues for 
the  rest  of  our  lives,  the  first  step  in  response  to  God's  love.  For  all 
involved,  particularly  the  candidates  but  also  parents,  godparents  and 
sponsors, it is a joyful moment when we rejoice in what God has done for 
us in Christ, making serious promises and declaring the faith. The wider 
community of  the local church and friends welcome the new Christian, 
promising support and prayer for the future. Hearing and doing these 
things provides an opportunity to remember our own baptism and reflect 
on the progress made on that journey, which is now to be shared with this 
new member of the Church. 

The service paints many vivid pictures of  what happens on the Christian 
way. There is the sign of  the cross, the badge of  faith in the Christian 
journey, which reminds us of Christ's death for us. Our 'drowning' in the 
water of  baptism, where we believe we die to sin and are raised to new 
life, unites us to Christ's dying and rising, a picture that can be brought 
home vividly by the way the baptism is administered. Water is also a sign 
of new life, as we are born again by water and the Spirit. This reminds us 
of  Jesus' baptism. And as a sign of  that new life, there may be a lighted 
candle, a picture of  the light of  Christ conquering the darkness of  evil. 
Everyone who is baptized walks in that light for the rest of their lives. 

As you pray for the candidates, picture them with yourself and the whole 
Church throughout the ages, journeying into the fullness of God's love. 
Holy Baptism Two in Morning or Evening Prayer 
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 The Gathering of  God's People 

Stand 
The Greeting is said. 
The Lord be with you 
and also with you. 
On Easter Day 
Christ is risen. 
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! 
Luke 24: 34 

SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE 
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God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in 
truth. John 4: 24 
A sentence of  scripture may be read from those provided on pages 78-82 
A hymn may be sung. 
The minister may introduce the service in these or other suitable words: 
Beloved in Christ, 
we come together to offer to Almighty God 
our worship and praise and thanksgiving, 
to confess our sins and to receive God's forgiveness, 
to hear his holy word proclaimed, 
to bring before him our needs and the needs of the world, 
and to pray that in the power of his Spirit 
we may serve him and know the greatness of his love. 
The minister says 
Let us confess our sins to God our Father. 
Kneel 
Silence is kept. 
Heavenly Father, 
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour 
in thought and word and deed, 
through negligence, through weakness, 
through our own deliberate fault; 
by what we have done 

Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer 

 and by what we have failed to do. 
We are truly sorry and repent of  all our sins. 
For the sake of  your Son Jesus Christ who died for us, 
forgive us all that is past; 
and grant that we may serve you in newness of  life 
to the glory of  your name. Amen. 
The priest pronounces the absolution. 
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, 
have mercy on you, 
pardon and deliver you from all your sins, 
confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, 
and keep you in eternal life; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Proclaiming and Receiving the Word 
Stand 
O Lord, open our lips 
and our mouth will proclaim your praise. 
O God, make speed to save us. 
O Lord, make haste to help us. 
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; 
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen. 
Praise the Lord. 
The Lord's name be praised. 
FIRST CANTICLE 
FIRST READING 
The reader may say 
A reading from ... chapter ... beginning at verse ... 
After the reading silence may be kept. 
PSALM 
One or more of  the appointed Psalms is sung, ending with 
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, 
and to the Holy Spirit; 
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: 
world without end. Amen. 

Holy Baptism Two in Morning or Evening Prayer 
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 SECOND READING 
The reader may say 
A reading from ... chapter ... beginning at verse ... 
After the reading silence may be kept. 
SECOND CANTICLE 
THIRD READING 
The reader may say 
A reading from the Gospel according to ... chapter ... beginning at verse ... 
After the reading silence may be kept. 
THIRD CANTICLE 
THE SERMON 
A hymn may be sung. 

Introduction to the Baptism 
The minister may use these or other words: 
Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us 
that to enter the kingdom of heaven 
we must be born again of water and the Spirit, 
and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth. 
Here we are washed by the Holy Spirit and made clean. 
Here we are clothed with Christ, 
dying to sin that we may live his risen life. 
As children of God, we have a new dignity 
and God calls us to fulness of life. 
At the baptism of  an infant the following may be added: 
Holy Baptism is administered to infants 
on the understanding that they will be brought up in the fellowship of 
Christ's Church; 
that they will be taught the Christian faith; 
and that, when they have publicly confessed this faith, 
they will be confirmed by the bishop and admitted to the Holy Communion. 
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Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer 

 The Presentation 
The  presiding  minister  invites  the  candidates  and  their  sponsors  to  stand  in 
view of  the congregation. 
The presiding minister invites the sponsors of  baptismal candidates to present the 
candidates. 
We welcome those who come to be baptized. I invite their sponsors to 
present them now. 
The sponsors answer 
We present .... to be baptized. 
The presiding minister says to the sponsors of  those unable to answer for themselves 
Parents and godparents, will you accept the responsibilities placed upon 
you in bringing . for baptism and answer on their behalf. By your own 
prayers and example, by your teaching and love, will you encourage them 
in the life and faith of the Christian community? 
With the help of  God, we will. 
In baptism these children begin their journey in faith. 
You speak for them today. 
Will you care for them, 
and help them to take their place 
within the life and worship of Christ's Church? 
With the help of  God, we will. 

The Decision 
At this point testimony may be given by one or more of  the candidates. 
The  presiding  minister  says  to  the  candidates  able  to  answer  for  themselves, 
and to the sponsors of  candidates 
In baptism, God calls us from 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 proud rebellion against God? 
I reject them. 
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil? 
I renounce them. 

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 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. 
The presiding minister says to the congregation 
You have heard these our brothers and sisters respond to Christ. 
Will you support them in this calling? 
The congregation answers 
We will support them. 

The presiding minister makes the sign of  the cross on the forehead of  each candidate 
for baptism, either here of  after the baptism with water, saying 
Christ claims you for his own. 
Receive the sign of the cross. 
Live as a disciple of Christ, 
fight the good fight, 
finish the race, keep the faith. 
Confess Christ crucified, 
proclaim his resurrection, 
look for his coming in glory. 
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. 
A hymn may be sung. 
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Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer 

 The Baptism 
The presiding minister and the candidates go to the place where the water for 
baptism is, and the presiding minister begins the thanksgiving prayer. 
Water is poured into the font. 
Praise God who made heaven and earth. 
Who keeps his promise for ever. 
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. 
It is right to give our thanks and praise. 
The minister continues with either 
We give you thanks that at the beginning of  creation your Holy Spirit 
moved upon the waters to bring forth light and life. 
With water you cleanse and replenish the earth; you nourish and sustain 
all living things. 
Thanks be to God. 
We give you thanks that through the waters of  the Red Sea you led your 
people out of  slavery into freedom, and brought them through the river 
Jordan to new life in the land of promise. 
Thanks be to God. 
We give you thanks for your Son Jesus Christ: for his baptism by John, 
for his anointing with the Holy Spirit. 
Thanks be to God. 
We give you thanks that through the deep waters of death Jesus delivered 
us from our sins and was raised to new life in triumph. 
Thanks be to God. 
We give you thanks for the grace of  the Holy Spirit who forms us in the 
likeness of Christ and leads us to proclaim your Kingdom. 
Thanks be to God. 
And now we give you thanks that you have called names/these your servants 
to new birth in your Church through the waters of baptism. 
Pour out your Holy Spirit in blessing and sanctify this water 
so that those who are baptized in it may be made one with Christ in his 
death and resurrection. 
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May they die to sin, rise to newness of  life, and continue for ever in Jesus 
Christ our Lord, through whom we give you praise and honour in the 
unity of the Spirit, now and for ever. Amen. 

or 
We thank you, almighty God, for the gift of  water to sustain, refresh and 
cleanse all life. 
Over water the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. 
Through water you led the children of Israel 
from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land. 
In water your Son Jesus received the baptism of John 
and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, 
to lead us from the death of sin to newness of life. 
We thank you, Father, for the water of baptism. 
In it we are buried with Christ in his death. 
By it we share in his resurrection. 
Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. 
Therefore, in joyful obedience to your Son, 
we baptize into his fellowship those who come to him in faith. 
Now sanctify this water that, by the power of your Holy Spirit, 
they may be cleansed from sin and born again. 
Renewed in your image, may they walk by the light of faith 
and continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Lord; 
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit 
be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen. 

The presiding minister shall ask the following question of  each candidate for 
baptism, or, in the case of  those unable to answer for themselves, the sponsors 
of  each candidate: 
Do you believe and accept the Christian faith into which you are (. is) 
to be baptized? 
I do. 
The presiding minister addresses the congregation. 
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess, together with these candidates 
the faith of the Church. 

Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer 

 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 God the Son? 
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's 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 again to judge the living and the dead. 
Do you believe and trust in God 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. 
The presiding minister baptizes by dipping the candidates in the water, or by 
pouring water over them, saying 
., I baptize you in the name of  the Father, and of  the Son, and of  the 
Holy Spirit. Amen. 
The minister and those who have been baptized may return from the font. 
[[  If  those who have been baptized were not signed with the cross immediately after the 
Decision, they are signed now 
Christ claims you for his own. 
Receive the sign of the cross. 
Live as a disciple of Christ, 
fight the good fight, 
finish the race, keep the faith. 

Holy Baptism Two in Morning or Evening Prayer 
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 Confess Christ crucified, 
proclaim his resurrection, 
look for his coming in glory. ]] 
The minister continues. 
God has called you into his Church. 
The congregation joins the minister, saying 
We therefore receive and welcome you 
as a member with us of  the body of  Christ, 
as a child of  the one heavenly Father, 
and as an inheritor of  the kingdom of  God. 
THE PEACE 
All stand. 
The Peace is introduced with these or other suitable words: 
We are the body of Christ. 
By one spirit we were all baptized into one body. 
Let us then pursue all that makes for peace 
and builds up our common life together. 
The presiding minister says 
The peace of the Lord be always with you 
and also with you. 
All may exchange a sign of  peace. 
A hymn may be sung. 
Prayers of  the People 
The following prayer or other suitable prayer(s) may be said: 
Father, we thank you that . have now been born again of  water and the 
Holy Spirit, and have become your own children by adoption, and members 
of your Church. 
Grant that they may grow in the faith in which they have been baptized; 
Grant that they themselves may confess it when they come to be confirmed; 
Grant that they may bear witness to it by a life of service to others; 
and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
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Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer 

 At the baptism of  infants this, or another prayer for the family, may be used: 
Almighty God, bless the home of these children, 
and give such grace and wisdom to all who have the care of them, 
that by their word and good example 
they may teach them to know and love you, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
Other prayers for the community of  the baptized and for God's mission in the world 
may be said, concluding with the COLLECT OF THE DAY and the LORD'S PRAYER 
As our Saviour Christ has taught us, so we pray 
Our Father in heaven, 
hallowed be your name, 
your kingdom come, 
your will be done, 
on earth as in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. 
Forgive us our sins 
as we forgive those who sin against us. 
Lead us not into temptation 
but deliver us from evil. 
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours 
now and for ever. Amen. 
or 
As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say 
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. 
And lead us not into temptation, 
but deliver us from evil. 
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory 
for ever and ever. Amen. 

Holy Baptism Two in Morning or Evening Prayer 
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 Going Out as God's People 
The presiding minister may say the seasonal blessing or another suitable blessing 
or 
The God of all grace, 
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, 
establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith; 
and the blessing of God almighty, 
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, 
be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. 

THE DISMISSAL 
The presiding minister or another person may give each of  the newly baptized a lighted 
candle. 
The newly baptized are sent out with these words: 
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. 
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord 
in the name of  Christ. Amen. 
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Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer 

 Seasonal Variations and Readings 
The  three  sets  of   variants  for  these  principal  baptismal  seasons  each  contain: 
Introduction, a Collect, a Post Communion Prayer and a Blessing. 

EPIPHANY :: THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD :: TRINITY 
SUNDAY 

After the Greeting instead of Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us ... the minister 
may say 
At our Lord's baptism in the river Jordan, 
God showed himself to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear. 
The Father spoke from heaven, the Spirit descended as a dove 
and Jesus was anointed with power from on high. 
For us baptism is the door of faith, 
through which we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 
As children of God, we are adopted as his sons and daughters, 
and called to proclaim the wonders of him 
who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light. 
THE COLLECT 
Lord of all time and eternity, 
you opened heaven's gate and revealed yourself as Father 
by the voice that called Jesus your beloved Son, 
baptizing him, in the power of the spirit; 
reveal yourself to us now, to claim us as your children, 
and so complete the heavenly work of our rebirth 
in the waters of the new creation; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
POST COMMUNION 
God of glory, 
you inspired us with the breath of life 
which brought to birth a new world in Christ. 
May we who are reborn in him 
be transformed by the renewal of our lives, 
that the light of your new creation 
may flood the world with your abundant grace; 
through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Holy Baptism Two in Morning or Evening Prayer 
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 BLESSING 
God, who in his Christ gives us a spring of water 
welling up to eternal life, 
perfect in you the image of his glory; 
and the blessing  

EASTER DAY TO THE DAY OF PENTECOST 
After the Greeting instead of Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us ... the minister 
may say 
God raised Jesus Christ from the dead 
and sent the Holy Spirit to recall the whole world to himself. 
In baptism we die to sin and rise to newness of life in Christ. 
Here we find rebirth in the spirit, 
and set our minds on his heavenly gifts. 
As children of God, we are continually created anew, 
as we walk the path of faith, 
and feed on the forgiveness of his healing grace. 
THE COLLECT 
Heavenly Father, 
by the power of your Holy Spirit 
you give to your faithful people 
new life in the water of baptism. 
Guide and strengthen us by the same spirit, 
that we who are born again 
may serve you in faith and love, 
and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ, 
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit 
now and for ever. Amen. 
POST COMMUNION 
Author of life divine, 
in the resurrection of your Son, 
you set before us the mystery of his triumph over sin and death; 
may all who are washed in the waters of rebirth 
rise to newness of life 
and find the promised presence of your abundant grace; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer 
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 BLESSING 
God the Father, 
by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, 
strengthen you by his life-giving Spirit 
to walk with him in the paths of righteousness and peace; 
and the blessing of God almighty, 
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, 
be with you and remain with you always. Amen. 

IN ALL SAINTS-TIDE 

After the Greeting instead of Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us ... the minister 
may say 
In baptism, God calls us to be his friends 
and to make us holy in his Son Jesus Christ. 
On this journey of faith we have no abiding city, 
for we have promise of the heavenly Jerusalem, 
where the whole creation is brought to a new birth in the Holy Spirit. 
Here we are united in the company of all the faithful, 
and we look for the coming of the eternal kingdom. 
As children of God, we look through this passing age 
for the signs of the dawn of everlasting glory. 

THE COLLECT 
Almighty Father, 
you have made us heirs through hope of your everlasting kingdom 
and in the waters of baptism you have promised 
a measure of grace overflowing to all eternity. 
Take our sins and guilt away, 
and so inflame us with the life of your Spirit 
that we may know your favour and goodness towards us 
and walk in newness of life, 
both now and for ever; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
Holy Baptism Two in Morning or Evening Prayer 
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 POST COMMUNION 
Lord, in the vision of your heavenly kingdom 
you reveal among us the promise of your glory. 
May that glory be ours 
as we claim our citizenship in the kingdom 
where you are alive and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

BLESSING 
May God, who kindled the fire of his love in the hearts of the saints, 
give you joy in their fellowship, 
and strengthen you to follow them in the way of holiness; 
and the blessing of God almighty, 
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, 
be with you and remain with you always. Amen. 
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Holy Baptism Two  in Morning or Evening Prayer