Brothers and sisters in Christ: Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are initiated into Christ’s holy church. We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts of salvation and given new birth through water and the Spirit. All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price. Today we present Finleigh Blake Ogle for baptism.
On behalf of the whole church, I ask you: Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin? Parents: We do.
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? Parents: We do.
Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races? Parents: We do.
Will you nurture Finleigh Blake in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example she may be guided to accept God’s grace for herself, to profess her faith openly, and to lead a Christian life? Parents: We will.
Do you, as Christ’s body, the church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?
Congregation: We do.
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include Finleigh Blake now before you, in your care?
Congregation: With God’s help we will proclaim the good news and live according to the example of Christ. We will surround Finleigh Blake with a community of love and forgiveness, that she may grow in her service to others. We will pray for her that she may be a true disciple who walks in the way that leads to life.
Let us join together in professing the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?
Congregation: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?
Congregation: 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, dead, and buried. The third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?
Congregation: 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 Lord be with you.
Congregation: And also with you.
Let us pray. Eternal God: When nothing existed but chaos, you swept across the dark waters and brought forth light. In the days of Noah you saved those on the ark through water. After the flood you set in the clouds a rainbow. When you saw your people as slaves in Egypt, you led them to freedom through the sea. Their children you brought through the Jordan to the land which you promised.
Congregation: Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Tell of God’s mercy each day.
In the fullness of time you sent Jesus, nurtured in the water of a womb. He was baptized by John and anointed by your Spirit. He called his disciples to share in the baptism of his death and resurrection and to make disciples of all nations.
Congregation: Declare his works to the nations, his glory among all the people.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and the one who receives it, to wash away his sin and clothe him in righteousness throughout his life, that, dying and being raised with Christ, he may share in Christ’s final victory.
Congregation: All praise to you, Eternal Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns forever. Amen.
Finleigh Blake Ogle, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
The Holy Spirit work within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.
Congregation: Amen.
Now it is our joy to welcome our new sister in Christ.
Congregation: Through baptism you are incorporated by the Holy Spirit into God’s new creation and made to share in Christ’s royal priesthood. We are all one in Christ Jesus. With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you as a member of the family of Christ.
Members of the household of God, I commend Finleigh Blake to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase her faith, confirm her hope, and perfect her in love.
Congregation: We give thanks for all that God has already given you and we welcome you in Christian love. As members together with you in the body of Christ and in The United Methodist Church, we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the Church by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit, that you may live in grace and peace.
Wash, O God God, Our Sons and Daughters
Wash, O God, our sons and daughters,
where your cleansing waters flow.
Number them among your people;
bless as Christ blessed long ago.
Weave them garments bright and sparkling;
compass them with love and light.
Fill, anoint them; send your Spirit,
holy dove and heart’s delight.