THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT I
HOLY BAPTISM
CONFIRMATION
(from the United Methodist Hymnal page 33)

INTRODUCTION TO THE SERVICE

(PASTOR)

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. AND Through confirmation, we renew the covenant declared at our baptism, acknowledge what God is doing for us, and affirm our commitment to Christ's holy Church.

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES

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(PASTOR)
Brothers and Sisters, we are blessed to baptize two candidates today, and confirm four.

Those coming forth for baptism please come forward along with your family member and sponsors:

I present Name(s) for baptism and confirmation: Xavier Ragland

THANKSGIVING OVER THE WATER

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(PASTOR)
The Lord be with you.

(ALL)
And also with you.

(PASTOR)
Let us pray. Eternal Father: 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.

(ALL)
Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Tell of God's mercy each day.

(PASTOR)
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.

(ALL)
Declare Christ’s works to the nations, his glory among all the people.

The pastor may place hands in or over the water, stir the water, or lift the water.

(PASTOR)
Pour out your Holy Spirit, to bless this gift of water and those who receive it, to wash away their sin and clothe them in righteousness throughout their lives, that, dying and being raised with Christ, they may share in his final victory.

(ALL)
All praise to you, Eternal Father, through your Son Jesus Christ who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns forever. Amen.

BAPTISM WITH LAYING ON OF HANDS

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Each candidate is baptized and receives the laying on of hands individually. The pastor uses the first (Christian) name(s), but not the family name:

(PASTOR)
We now invite those who have not been baptized to come forward for Baptism:

___________________, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Holy Spirit work within you, that being born through water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

(ALL)
Amen.

CONFIRMATION

(PASTOR)
I present for confirmation:
Avery Thompson, Jeremiah Sweet, Tarin Rowland, Xavier Ragland

RENUNCIATION OF SIN AND PROFESSION OF FAITH

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(PASTOR)
Confirmands,

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?

(CONFIRMANDS)
I do.

(PASTOR)
Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves?

(CONFIRMANDS)
I do.

(PASTOR)
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?

(CONFIRMANDS)
I do.

(PASTOR)
The pastor addresses candidates who can answer for themselves:
According to the grace given to you, will you remain faithful members of Christ's holy Church and serve as Christ's representatives in the world?

(CONFIRMANDS)
I will.

(PASTOR)
The pastor addresses the sponsors:
Will you who sponsor these candidates support and encourage them in their Christian life?

(SPONSORS)
I will.

(PASTOR)
The pastor addresses the congregation, and the congregation responds:
Do you, as Christ's body, the Church, reaffirm both your rejection of sin and your commitment to Christ?

(CONGREGATION)
We do.

(PASTOR)
Will you nurture one another in the Christian faith and life and include these persons 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 these persons with a community of love and forgiveness, that they may grow in their trust of God, and be found faithful in their service to others. We will pray for them, that they may be true disciples who walk in the way that leads to life.

A deacon or pastor addresses all, and the congregation joins the candidates and their parents and sponsors in responding:

(PASTOR)
To the confirmands and the congregation, 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?

(ALL)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

(PASTOR)
Do you believe in Jesus Christ?

(ALL)
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, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

(PASTOR)
Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

(ALL)
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.

CONFIRMATION OR REAFFIRMATION OF FAITH

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Acts of confirmation or reaffirmation of faith are not acts of rebaptism. Here water may be used by the candidates as the pastor says:

(PASTOR)
Now, to all who are being confirmed and to all those who have been baptized in the congregation: Remember your baptism and be thankful.

(ALL)
Amen.

(PASTOR)
____________________, the Holy Spirit work within you, that having been born through water and the Spirit, you may live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

(ALL)
Amen.

RECEPTION INTO THE LOCAL CONGREGATION

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(PASTOR)
As members of this congregation, will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?

(CONGREGATION)
I will.

COMMENDATION AND WELCOME

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The pastor addresses the congregation:

(PASTOR)
Members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.

The congregation responds:

(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 this congregation of 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 pastor addresses those baptized, confirmed, or received, using an appropriate gesture of blessing:

(PASTOR)
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.

STOLING THE CONFIRMANDS

(PASTOR)
Parents please rise now, and come and stole your confirmands.

(PASTOR)
We welcome these now confirmed members of Central United Methodist Church!