SUGGESTIONS FOR BAPTISMS AND DEDICATIONS

FIRST PARISH CHURCH UNITED, WESTFORD MA

At First Parish, we offer both baptisms and dedications for celebrating the life of infants, children and adults. The pastor works with individuals and families to create a service that reflects their hopes and beliefs. Some possibilities are below (other resources include web sites, books, greeting cards received at a child’s birth, and the words and ideas of parents). Mark those parts that speak to you and the pastor will help you create a service. Please note that just about anything below can be re-crafted to suit an infant or an older child, a baptism or a dedication. May this process be filled with blessings!

INVITATION

I. From the beginning of time,

men and women have brought their children to religious communities

to be dedicated and blessed.

In the presence of family, friends and the spiritual community,

children are given their names

and parents and godparents declare their responsibility and commitment

to their children.

We have gathered together for such a purpose today –

to bless and baptize (child).

And so I ask (child) to come forward,

bringing with him / her his / her parents, (names),

and his / her godparents (names).

II. We are the church,

as we gather together to support and enrich each other’s lives.

We welcome new fellow travelers at baptism,

as we celebrate an individuals’ membership in the community

and promise to be a caring, nurturing presence.

We enter this celebration –

child, parents, sponsors, family, congregation -

with the joyous proclamation

that God is the Giver of life,

that children belong to the church,

that the church is a community that cares

about children, parents, whole families!

And so I invite (child) to come forward

to experience the sacrament of baptism,

bringing with (him/her) (his/her) family, (his/her) parents (parents),

and (him/her) sponsors (sponsors).

ADDRESS

I. Parents bring their children into the church

to celebrate before God the mystery of new life.

Today, (parents) bring (child) to the church

to affirm their belief that within the church

their child will be introduced to the world.

here will be explored the meanings we have found

in the skies, the fields, the hills, the valleys and cities.

here (child) will learn

to count the number of (his/her) days and weigh their meaning,

to gather into (his/her) mind the wisdom of (his/her) ancestors,

to learn right from wrong,

and to treasure beauty, mercy, and justice in (his/her) soul.

here (child) will come

to observe and practice the life of faith,

seek relationship with God,

and find companions for the journey of life.

II. In all parts of the earth,

from the earliest days of recorded history,

parents have brought their children at a young age to a place of worship, sharing their joy and commitment with those of the wider community.

In the spirit of this age-old tradition,

we are about to consecrate this child to the love of God

and the service of humanity.

This is a public occasion,

shared by parents, family, and congregation

in which we affirm our shared responsibility

for the care and nurture of every child.

It is our task to give children

a safe and healthy world of peace and justice in which to grow,

to share with them our ideals and hopes,

and to learn from them the zest and wonder of life

that we sometimes forget.

It is for this purpose today that we bless and baptize (child).

III. We are your children.

Out of the infinite we have come to you, and through you.

We are the old, yet ever new, miracle of incarnation.

Give us a chance to grow,

within the warmth of your unfailing love,

into souls sensitive to beauty,

hearts open to love and hungry for the imperishable values of life.

Do not shrink and wither us with fear,

but quicken with faith the springs of courage within us.

- W. Waldemar W. Argon

IV. In every birth

Blessed is the wonder.

In every child

Blessed is the hope.

In every existence

Blessed are the possibilities.

In every newness

Blessed are the tears.

In every life

Blessed is the love.

In celebration of all that is

new-born,

hope-filled,

overflowingly loved,

we share the sacrament of baptism

for (child).

V. Now this is the day.

Our child,

Into the daylight

You will go out standing.

Preparing for your day.

Our child, it is your day,

This day.

May your road be fulfilled.

In your thoughts may we live,

May we be the ones whom your thoughts will embrace.

May you help us all to finish our roads.

--From a selection by ZuÔi Indians

QUESTIONS / COMMITMENT OF THE PARENTS

I. To the parents of this child, (parents), I ask the questions of baptism:

Relying on God’s grace,

do you promise to rear this child

within the love and guardianship of the church,

so nurturing (his/her) spiritual growth

that (he/she) may come to know and love God

with an open heart and mind? We do.

Do you promise to encourage this child

to transform the powers of evil

and act with compassion toward the world? We do.

Do you promise, by the grace of God,

to grow with this child in the faith,

to be together disciples of Jesus’ example,

showing peace and justice,

and sharing God’s love with the world? We do.

II. (Parents), in bringing (child) to be blessed and baptized

with the symbols of water and earth and flowers,

you acknowledge that this child is a gift from the universe

entrusted to your care,

and you invite all of us

to share some of the joy and responsibility that is yours as parents.

You seek our support in your dedication to the task of fostering,

with love and guidance,

the fullest unfolding of the personalities of your children.

This ceremony reflects not only

your gratitude for the child who has come into your family,

but your understanding of the seriousness of the responsibilities

you have undertaken as parents.

So do you now commit yourselves to the best of your ability

to parent this child with compassion, respect, patience and love?

Will you accept him and cherish him for who he is and who he will become?

Will you help him to believe in himself and in the goodness of the world?

Do you promise to do everything within your power

to strengthen and guide them on a path

of peace, generosity, respect, and compassion? If so, please answer I will.

III. Do you promise to teach (child)

to explore with wonder the beauty of the world around him / her

so that his / her curiosity may grow with his / her awe for God’s creations? We do.

Do you promise to teach (child)

to have a never-ending concern for family, community, and country?

Do you promise to teach (child)

to act with compassion toward the world,

and to love charity, kindness, and gentility?

Do you promise to teach (child)

to understand right from wrong,

and to act with fairness and forgiveness in his / her love of justice?

Do you promise to nurture this child spiritually,

to help him / her fulfill the needs of his soul, mind and body,

and to allow him/ her the freedom to learn and grow?

QUESTIONS / COMMITMENT OF THE GODPARENTS / SPONSORS

I. To (child)’s sponsors, (sponsors):

Do you who stand as sponsors

promise to help these parents

fulfill the pledges they have made?

Do you promise,

through prayer and word and action,

to support (child) in (his/her) spiritual growth

and encourage (him/her) in (his/her) love of God?

Do you offer yourselves

to befriend and nurture this family

as you now rejoice with them?

II. The act of choosing Godparents is an ancient tradition

based on the wisdom that no matter how dedicated parents are,

no one can raise a child alone.

Both parents and children need the support and friendship of other loving adults.

(Parents) have chosen (Godparents) to be (child)’s Godparents.

(Godparents), by agreeing to be (child)’s Godparents

you are agreeing to a special relationship with him / her.

Do you now commit yourselves to the best of your ability

to be a friend, mentor and teacher to (child) throughout his life?

Will you accept and cherish him for who he is and for who he will become?

Will you help him to believe in himself and in the goodness of the world?

If so, please answer I will.

III. (Godparents), Godparents are special people who dedicate themselves

to the welfare of another’s child.

Even the most loving and capable parents cannot raise a child alone.

Children need the wisdom, counsel, support, and love of many adults.

You have been asked by the parents of this child

to accept a special honor and responsibility.

Do you then intend to the best of your abilities

to supplement the care and love of these parents

both in the day-to-day development of this child

and also in the event of any extraordinary need? If so, please say, “We do.”

IV. (Godparents), you have been chosen by (parents)
as representatives of everyone gathered here today,
and everything that they hope for (child).
They see in you so much that they love, respect and admire.
They invite you to begin a very special relationship with their child.
A child can never have too many people
offering her support, affection and guidance.
(Parents) hope that you will be a refuge for (child),
people he / she can speak to with honesty,
even when he / she cannot speak to his/ her own parents;
someone he / she can be himself / herself with,
revealing all his / her shadows and scars;
a sanctuary of acceptance, compassion and love.

And so I ask you, are you ready to support these parents
through your encouragement and prayer,
and by your presence in the life of this child?
If so please say "we are".

QUESTIONS / COMMITMENT OF THE SIBLINGS

I. Do you welcome your brother / sister (name)

into your family at home

and into your family at church?

Do you promise to help your brother / sister (name)

to grow in faith and know God,

by telling him / her about God’s love for all creatures,

And by being a loving big sister / brother?

Do you promise to let (name) show you God,

in all he / she might tell you

and in all the love he / she will give you?

II. Do you promise to be a loving big brother / sister to (name)?

Do you promise to help her see God everywhere?

Do you promise to teach her all you can,

and learn all that she has to teach you?

Most of all, do you promise to play with her,

have fun with her, and be by her side through all the years of your lives?

If so, please say “We do”.

QUESTIONS / COMMITMENT OF THE GRANDPARENTS

Would the grandparents of these children (names) please stand:

You have loved not only these children, but also their parents,

with a love that survived and grew

through every phase and awkward stage,

through sleepless nights of worry,

through accomplishment and joy.

Your children are on a journey you know well;

bless them and your grandchildren

with your wisdom, presence and support.

To (child’s) grandparents I ask,

do you pledge unconditional love,

abounding play time,

understanding ears,

and sanctuary within your very arms?

If so, please say “We do.”

CONGREGATIONAL PROMISE / COMMITMENT

I. Standard promise

It is a joyous moment when we join with children and parents

in the celebration of baptism.

Do you, the members of the congregational family,

receive (child) into your love and care;

do you join (him/her) parents, (parents),

in sharing responsibility to nurture the character

and spirit of this flowering new person;

and do you offer the sheltering arms of this fellowship

to these parents and this child?

If so, please say “We do”.

In celebration and recognition of the commitment we are making,

Rev. Cindy will present (child) to the congregation.

II. If from a distance

Do you, the members of the congregational family,

shower (child) with your love and care

in this powerful moment of blessing?

Do you promise to hold (child) in your heart,

along with her parents (parents),

so that no matter how far away they might be,

they feel the uplifting love of this fellowship?

Do you pledge, in (child’s) name,

to nurture the character and spirit of every child

who enters into this congregation’s midst,

thereby symbolically nurturing the character and spirit of (child) herself?

If so, please say, “We do.”

In celebration and recognition of the commitment we are making,

Rev. Cindy will present (child) to the congregation.

III. Alternative

Children are not possessions to own,

but blessings entrusted to families and communities

to care for and to nurture.

As the spiritual community of this child,

it is right that you accept a measure of the responsibility

to care for him and for his parents.

Will the congregation please stand as you are able?

To the best of your ability,

will you welcome this child into your midst with open hearts?

Will you acknowledge your responsibility

to care for this member of the next generation,

to nurture the character and spirit of this child,

and to help guide them on a path

of peace, generosity, respect, and compassion?

Will you do your best to protect (child) from harm

and to prepare a world worthy of him and all children?
Will you offer freely your support to these parents,

knowing that all families need the help and love of friends

if they are to thrive?

If so, please answer “I will”.

In celebration and recognition of the commitment we are making,

Rev. Cindy will present (child) to the congregation.

PROMISE / COMMITMENT OF THE CHILDREN

I invite all the children present to stand.

You are closest to (child) in age

and will be working, playing, and learning side by side with him / her.

As he / she grows, he / she will look to you.

Will you be his / her friend?

Will you be kind and fair to him / her?

Will you show him / her the best in you,

that he / she may discover the best in himself / herself?

If you promise to do these things, please answer “I will”.

PRAYER OVER WATER

After the ancient custom we use water in our celebration.

It speaks of the affinity we have to the Natural Order;

it is a sign of purity;

it quenches the body’s thirst;

quite literally it sustains life.

In this rite it symbolizes the Water of Life Abundant

for which humankind has thirsted through all the ages.

Let us join together in prayer to bless the waters of baptism.

God whose love flows like water,

Swirl around us with your joy,

Flood us with your hope,

Let us drift on your peace.

God whose love flows like water,

you surround each of us in an ocean of love

and connect us one to the other,

creating a dynamic family.

God whose love flows like water,

you are the clear, cool pond

that cleanses and refreshes our body, mind, spirit,

making us new.

God whose love flows like water,

bless this water by your Spirit;

let it be a symbol for us all,

and especially for (child),

that you are the water of life. Amen.

CHRISTENING

By what name shall this child be called?

Child, we have come here to welcome you in love,

a new member of our family.

Without a name you have come to us,

but henceforth you shall be called (child).

This new name is just for you.

In this act we declare that you are a unique person with a unique life path.

What name have you chosen for this child?

(child), your name was chosen for you with care and love.

In this circle of friends and family, you are named (child).

May your name be spoken with love throughout all your years.

ACT OF BAPTISM

I. Child, I baptize you as a Child of God, Creator of all;

into the Faith and Fellowship of the Gospel of Jesus;

and into the truth of the Church Universal.

II. Child, I baptize you as a Child of God,

Disciple of Christ,

and playmate of the Holy Spirit.

III. Child, I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

IV. Child, I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

and I dedicate you to a life of beauty, truth and love in all its abundance.

ACT OF DEDICATION

I. We touch this blessed water to (child)'s hands,
That her hands might always be opened to give and to receive.
We touch this blessed water to (child)'s feet,
That her feet might walk in paths of truth and joy.
We touch this blessed water to (child)'s head,
That she might always be aware of God's spirit moving in her life.  Amen.

II. After the ancient custom we use water in our celebration.

it speaks of the affinity we have to the Natural Order;

it quenches the body’s thirst; quite literally it sustains life.

In this rite it symbolizes the Water of Life Abundant

for which humankind has thirsted through all the ages.

Today we also use the soil of the earth in our celebration.

It speaks of the connection we have to created things;

our part in the web of life that is this planet.

This morning it reminds us that these children may walk on earth far from here,

but they will carry with them all the love we can bestow.

At First Parish, we give a flower to children being dedicated,

symbolizing the beauty and wonder and freshness of life.

As the bud opens to glorious flowering,

so may these lives display a wealth of joy and the sharing of love.

(The water we use today comes from…The earth we use today comes from…

The flowers we give you today are gifts from this congregation.

This symbolizes that we are your spiritual family,

ready to support you and your parents.)

(Minister puts water on head of each child.)

I bless you in the name of God and in the Spirit of Love

and dedicate you to a life of beauty, truth, and love in all its abundance.

(Minster gives each child a flower.)

The flower is a symbol of natural beauty.

Like a flower, each child is precious and unique.

(Child) may your life unfold in beauty.

(Minister touches each child’s feet with a handful of dirt.)

I touch your feet with earth.

May you find yourselves at home

wherever on this earth your feet take you

and may you know courage, strength and the love

of family and friends on your journey.

PRAYER FOR THE BAPTIZED

I. Let us bring our hearts together to pray for (child).

God who is creative love,

we thank you for the gift of this child to love,

this life to share, this mind to inspire,

this body to nurture, this spirit to enrich.

Let us never betray this child’s trust,

dampen this child’s hope,

or discourage this child’s dreams.

Help us, dear God,

to help this child become all you mean (him/her) to be.

Be with those you’ve sent to care for (child), God,

Bless (his/her) parents and (his/her) sponsors.

Help them to show their love and care for this child

every day of (his/her) life.

Let your grace and love fall on (child) like gentle breezes

and give (him/her) inner strength and peace and joy

for the journey ahead. Amen.

II. Spirit of Life, as we look into the face of this child,

we remember again that life is a gift;

it is a mystery; it is sacred.

We pray in thanksgiving for the new life

that has been born into this family and community.

May (child)’s days be full of love

and may he grow up sure and loving, kind and strong.

We pray for his parents (parents).

Give them courage and patience and great joy

as they help their child to grow.

We pray for all the world’s children,

that they may have safety and peace and love,

and we pray for ourselves, that we may be worthy of our children’s trust. Amen.

GIVING OF GIFTS

We give (child) a flower,

symbolizing the beauty and wonder and freshness of life.

As the bud opens to glorious flowering,

so may this life display a wealth of joy,

achievement, and sharing of love

only faintly suggested in this, the budding time of life.