October 22, 2023
The leader invites the people to sing.
The leader calls the people to worship.
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
There is one Body and one Spirit;
There is one hope in God’s call to us.
One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
One God and Father of all.
The leader and people pray together:
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
The leader invites the people to sing.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to ________________.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Scripture reading here:
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
A Reading from _______________.
Scripture reading here:
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Message - BISHOP
Holy Baptism - BISHOP
The Bishop begins
The candidate for Holy Baptism will be presented at this time.
The assembly of Parents and Godparents comes forward with the candidate for baptism.
Parents and Godparents: I present N. to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.
Will you be responsible for seeing that the child you present is brought up in the Christian faith and life?
Parents and Godparents: I will, with God's help.
Will you by your prayers and witness help this child to grow into the full stature of Christ?
Parents and Godparents: I will, with God's help.
Bishop asks the following questions of the candidate, or of the parents/godparents on the candidate’s behalf:
Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Parents and Godparents: I renounce them.
Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Parents and Godparents: I renounce them.
Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Parents and Godparents: I renounce them.
Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
Do you promise to follow and obey him as your Lord?
Parents and Godparents: I do.
The Bishop says
The other Candidate(s) will now be presented.
Priest and Presenters say: I present these persons for Confirmation.
Priest and Presenters say: I present these persons who desire to reaffirm their baptismal vows.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidates: I do.
Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidates: I do, and with God's grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.
To the Congregation:
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People: We will.
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe 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.
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help.
Bishop: Let us now pray for those who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth and for those who have renewed their commitment to Christ.
Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Send them into the world in witness to your love.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Grant, O Lord, that all who are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ your Son may live in the power of his resurrection and look for him to come again in glory; who lives and reigns now and for ever. Amen.
Thanksgiving Over the Water - BISHOP
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting 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 bring into his fellowship those who come to him in faith, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior. To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and for ever.
Amen.
The Baptism
N, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
N, you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own for ever. Amen.
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.
When all have been baptized, the Bishop says
Let us welcome the newly baptized.
We receive you into the household of God. Confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.
Confirmation & Reaffirmation
The Bishop then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.
Then the Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you have made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Confirmation - BISHOP
The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit; empower him for your service; and sustain him all the days of his life. Amen.
or this
Defend, O Lord, your servant N. with your heavenly grace, that he may continue yours for ever, and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more, until he comes to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
For Reaffirmation - BISHOP
N., may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen.
The Bishop concludes with this prayer
Almighty and everlasting God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Greet those around you.
The Peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
The Leader and people say,
Walk in love, as Christ loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
The leader invites the people to sing.
Eucharistic Prayer is Prayer A, BCP pg 360
All things come from you, oh Lord.
Of your own have we given you.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
Because in Jesus Christ our Lord you have received us as your sons and daughters, made us citizens of your kingdom, and given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Then the Celebrant continues
Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.
He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said,
“Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said,
“Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.
Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
As our Savior Christ has taught us,
we now pray,
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.
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,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Gifts of God for the People of God. Take them in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith, with thanksgiving.
Communion Distribution - BISHOP & PRIEST
The leader and people pray together, saying:
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Bishop offers God's blessing.
The blessing of God Almighty: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with you, this day and always.
Amen.
Invite children to dance with their parents.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleluia.