Presentation
With the rest of the gathered people of God, let us confess our faith:
The candidate for baptism, sponsors, and parents gather with the minister at the font. The assembly is seated. The minister addresses the assembly:
Do you believe in God the Father? All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Pastor Mark: God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God's mission for the life of the world.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? All: I believe in Jesus Christ, God's 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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Who presents this child to be baptized? Parents: We present Sofia Catalina Ziech-Lopez for baptism.
Do you believe in God 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.
Nicholas and Cristina, Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have Sofia baptized into Christ? Parents: We do. As you bring your child to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities: to live with her among God's faithful people, bring her to the word of God and the holy supper, teach her the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in her hands the holy scriptures, and nurture her in faith and prayer so that she may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace. Do you promise to help Sofia grow in the Christian faith and life? Parents: We do. People of God, do you promise to support Sofia and pray for her in her new life in Christ? Assembly: We do.
Profession of Faith Nicholas and Cristina, I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church. Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
Response: I renounce them. Response: I renounce them. Response: I renounce them.
Thanksgiving at the Font The Lord be with you. All: And also with you. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. All: It is right to give our thanks and praise. Blessed are you, O God, maker and ruler of all things. Your voice thundered over the waters at creation. You water the mountains and send springs into the valleys to refresh and satisfy all living things. Through the waters of the flood you carried those in the ark to safety. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery to freedom. In the wilderness you nourished them with water from the rock, and you brought them across the river Jordan to the promised land. By the baptism of his death and resurrection, your Son Jesus has carried us to safety and freedom. The floods shall not overwhelm us, and the deep shall not swallow us up, for Christ has brought us over to the land of promise. He sends us to make disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Pour out your Holy Spirit; wash away sin in this cleansing water; clothe the baptized with Christ; and claim your daughters and sons, no longer slave and free, no longer male and female, but one with all the baptized in Christ Jesus, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. All: Amen