Sacrament of Holy Baptismback to: Policies
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The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Infant Baptism
Meaning and Purpose
Within the Protestant tradition, only two sacraments are acknowledged: holy communion and holy baptism. The gospels relate these sacraments as two activities in which Jesus Christ participated and to which the early church gave authority. Because these sacraments are an important part of our history and tradition and because they also inform who we are in relationship to God and one another today, we believe we are charged to be good stewards of their interpretation and practice.
Infant baptisms at the United Church of Christ in North Hampton are about a covenant between God through Jesus Christ, our congregation representing the whole Christian Church, and the family having their child baptized. God through Christ promises to be present and hold this family and child in holy love.
For Christians, infant baptism is a public sign of a reality already present. The earliest baptismal formula we have in the Christian church is: “There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither slave nor free, there can be neither male nor female-for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3.28, NJB) Regardless of culture or ethnic origin, social or economic status, gender or cultural position, we recognize that God has created us connected and one in love.
Christian communities reflect that love as they accept a child into their life and practice. Infant baptisms remind the worshipping congregation that we are to make way for this new life and ministry through our commitment to be present for the child and family, our investment to provide programming and education throughout the child's life, and our dedication to be Christ-like examples in every station of our lives.
The parents and the God-parents (if the family so chooses) promise this Christ-like example as well. The parents also covenant to participate meaningfully in the Christian faith community, to enculturate the child in Christian teaching and practice, and to remind this child that she is adopted into Christ's community and into God as a Child of God. The God-parents promise to foster this covenant between parent and child and provide grace for both so that they all might remain in relationship with one another.
Recognizing the important covenant between God in Christ, the United Church of Christ in North Hampton representing the whole Christian Church, and the family having their child baptized, we strongly urge all baptisms to take place in a congregational setting. We discourage private baptisms unless urgent circumstances, such as the child's life in peril, are present.
We also encourage parental involvement in the life of the church before and after the baptism so that this sacrament and its covenant are meaningful for congregational life. For the congregation to covenant their commitment, investment, and dedication to a child and family who will participate only one Sunday is disheartening to the congregation and empties the sacrament of its profound meaning. Therefore, as informal policy, we strongly recommend that the family attend one baptism service before having their child baptized. The family may then ask questions and work through the meaning of the service. We also strongly urge the family that has not been a part of our worship community to attend worship with the child three to four weeks consecutively before the baptism. Such attendance allows the congregation to connect with the family, if only by sight, and begins a practice we hope will continue long after the baptism.
We also recognize that the family may have to use the staffed nursery during the course of the service. We hope this represents our congregation's commitment to their family and their child.
The Worship Service
Within the worship service are symbols that carry significant meaning. Below are those symbols and their meaning as we continue to interpret them.
The Water
Throughout Scripture water has so many meanings. Water symbolizes birth, liberation, promise, moving from barrenness to plenty, repentance, healing, moving from death to life, rebirth, cleansing, purification, and sustenance. Many of these meanings are brought to bear as we remember God's story at the beginning of the baptismal service.
The Font
Because we place the font in front of the sanctuary chancel, we are suggesting the beginning link between baptism at the font, the word spoken by faithful communities as Scripture is read at the pulpit, and finally the sharing in our common meal at the communion table. Baptism begins our pilgrimage from font to word to full communion.
Escallop Shell
The shell represents the pilgrimage stated above, but also represents our Christian journey to all holy sites. The lines in an escallop shell are the different, individual journeys we take to a common sacred place. The shell is also a reminder of Christ's baptism.
The Gifts
The congregation gives three gifts to the family to symbolize our covenant and commitment within the sacrament.
The Evergreen Tree
A small evergreen tree is given to the family to symbolize the child's connection to creation.
A Book
A book is given to the family as a reminder that we, as congregation and family, are responsible for the education and enculturation of this child. The content of the book also reminds the family that God has already given this child a spirituality which is growing in wonder and awe.
A Certificate
The certificate serves as a reminder of the continuing sacrament shared in this special day.
A sample baptismal service is found below:
Please feel free to call the church office
and set up a meeting with the pastor(s)
if you have any questions.
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
(sample baptismal service)
The Story of God
(Fetch water) Living waters have always been a sign of God's Spirit moving among us.
This is the water which burst forth from the Womb to give birth to all of creation. This is the water of the Red Sea parted to allow the Hebrews out of slavery and into liberation. This is the water of the River Jordan which the Hebrew people crossed over to get to the promised land. That same water was also used by John the Baptizer to inaugurate the Empire of God in Rome and the mission and ministry of Christ and so many of his community.
This is the water of the United Church of Christ in North Hampton.
God creates all things; all of life is a gift from God. Today we give thanks for a gift entrusted in hope.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, for the way God rules on earth.” And children come with eagerness, openness, and curiosity, showing the way the powerless lead the way to God's salvation.
All of us are adopted into the community of Christ by the movement of the holy Spirit in love. Let us remember today that family is not defined by blood but by the love we share with those who are entrusted to our care.
Introduction of Participants
I invite Parent's Names to come forward with their gift entrusted in hope, along with the godparents,
Affirmation of God's Love Jesus Loves the Little Children
Baptismal Prayer
Let us pray. O God, you have adopted all of us as your children to mature into full faith in you. We give you thanks for this child who blesses this family and for the parents who have welcomed this child as their own and the extended family which promises to be a haven for this child. By the moving of your Spirit, move in new ways so that their home may always be filled with love, trust, and understanding. Amen.
Promises of the Participants
(Have parents place a hand on the head of the child.)
What name have you given this child?
In accepting Child's full name, you also acknowledge the faith of Jesus Christ to take as your own and the responsibility that God places upon you:
So now I ask these questions of you:
Do you receive Child's first & middle name from the hand of a Loving Creator? If so, respond by saying, “I do.”
Will you, with humility and hope, accept the obligation which is yours to love and nurture him/her and lead him/her in the faith of Jesus Christ and his community by teaching and example? If so, respond by saying, “I will.”
Will you ask for the strength and courage of God's Spirit and the support of the church that you may be a good steward of this gift of life? If so, respond by saying, “I will.”
I turn now to the godparents. There will be times in the lives of this family where they will need you to be a safe harbor amidst the tempests that do blow as a certainty in every family. They will need your grace, your listening ear, and your compassion when the waters of baptism threaten to throw them all out of the boat. Will you honor the journey of Ethan and his family as they learn what it means for him to be a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth. If so, respond by saying, “We will.”
L: And now I turn to the congregation. The church is the community of Christ, the gathering of lovers in which we grow in faith and commitment.
P: We rejoice to take Child's full names under our care. We seek God's grace to be a community in which the gospel is truly proclaimed to all. Neither differences in culture or religion, race or social standing, politics or gender will keep us from being a presence in love for Child's full name.
Baptism and Blessing
(Take the child from the parents)
Child's full name, you are baptized in the name of the God who is Mother and Father of us all, Friend and Accompanier of us all, Comforter and Advocate of us all. Child's full name, be a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth.
May this child grow into stories of Faith and Courage, the Joy of family and community, and Acts of compassion. May he/she laugh with the poor and weep with the mourning, standing against the wind of oppression so that God's Liberating Reign may blow into the world. Amen.
Baptismal Hymn
Child of Blessing, Child of Promise
Child of blessing, child of promise, baptized with the Spirit's sign;
With this water God has sealed you unto love and grace divine.
Child of love, our love's expression, love's creation, love indeed!
Fresh from God, refresh our spirits, into joy and laughter lead.
Child of joy, our dearest treasure, God's you are, from God you came.
Back to God we humbly give you; live as one who bears Christ's name.
Child of God your loving Parent, learn to know whose child you are.
Grow to laugh and sing and worship, trust and love God more than all.
Presentation to the Congregation
Out to meet the new aunts and uncles and cousins.
Gifts from the Congregation
Pastor: Now I would invite the leadership of the congregation to come forward to present gifts to the family.
Youth Learning: On behalf of the Sunday School Program, we would like you to have this book of a child's spirituality, Growing in the Dark, as a sign of our care for Child first name's continuing life and your role as his/her parents and teachers.
Youth: Also as a gift, we would like to present this tree. It is a sign of God's ever-present love for Child first name and his interconnection with all of creation. As creation's life goes, so goes the life of Child first name. As Child first name's life goes, so goes the life of creation.
Moderator: And this is a certificate that will remind all of you that on this day Child full name was taken into the love and care of this community of faith. Praise God for the blessing and promise which is shared here.
Pastor: Let the congregation say, “Amen!”
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