You are welcome to download any baptism material
Booklet for parents of male child
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The Benefice of Dickleburgh and The Pulhams Rector: Revd. Janice Scott, 01379 676256 Welcome, Parents! |
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Thank you for choosing to have your child baptised (christened - means the same thing). This little leaflet is to tell you something about baptism, and what you will have to do at the christening service. By now you'll have chosen your godparents, but perhaps I should just point out that being a godparent doesn't mean that in the unlikely event of an accident in which you both died, your godparents would have to take care of your child. That would be the job of grandparents or specially appointed guardians. Being a godparent is basically about helping to look after Tamsin's spiritual needs and the godparents have leaflets similar to this one to help them with that task. But of course, you are the main people to look after Tamsin in every way including Tamsin's spiritual needs. You'll be hearing some pretty medieval language in the christening service because the service is very historical. It dates right back to the beginning of Christianity around 2000 years ago, when Jesus himself was baptised in the river. When that happened, Jesus was filled with a sense of God. It was as though he became filled with God himself - with God's essence or God's spirit. That still happens today at baptism services. Tamsin will have God's essence or spirit inside her, but as she grows up, it's up to you and your godparents to help that spirit grow and develop inside her by helping her to make a relationship with God. What the service basically means is that you'll be promising to help Tamsin make that personal relationship with God, through Jesus. How do you do that? Well, already you yourselves have a very deep relationship with Tamsin. You care for her in every way and know her needs. But as well as feeding her and keeping her clean and making sure she gets enough sleep, you show her lots of love. You hug her and cuddle her and play with her and read to her and stimulate her mind and her body, and she responds with her love for you and by taking a big interest in her surroundings. This relationship with you and interest in her surroundings immediately tells Tamsin about God. You see, God is love, so as you love Tamsin and she feels secure in your love, you're already teaching her about God without even realising you're doing so. Of course, if you wish, you could do more. There are lots of lovely children's books of Bible stories available (your local S.P.C.K. bookshop - in the telephone directory - will have stacks) as well as beautifully produced children's Bibles. You could perhaps read some of these stories to Tamsin. There are also simple prayers which you could share with Tamsin - teach her to talk to God just as she talks to you. We'd love to see you and Tamsin in church from time to time. Or you might want to bring her to one of our regular mid-week services for parents and the under-fives. If you're not church attenders, you might be interested in finding out more for yourself about the Christian faith and this God of love and his son, Jesus. Most churches now have occasional evenings to help people explore Christianity, or could point you in the right direction where you could explore as much or as little as you wish, without any pressure or hard sell. Baptism is entry into the church (which is why the baptismal font is at the back - nearest to the point of entry). From the time she is baptised, Tamsin will be a member of the world-wide Christian church, and especially a member of our church here where she is baptised, so we'd love to get to know her and to see her grow up. The Baptism ServiceThe whole service takes place around you and Tamsin. The minister will ask you together with all your godparents to stand at the front with Tamsin and face the people in church. The minister will ask these questions, and expect you to respond as follows: RESPONSES OF PARENTS AND GODPARENTS Please respond to the questions with the words in dark type Parents and godparents, the Church receives Tamsin with joy. Today we are trusting God for her growth in faith. Will you pray for her, draw her by your example into the community of faith and walk with her in the way of Christ? With the help of God, we will. In baptism Tamsin begins her journey in faith. You speak for her today. Will you care for her, and help her to take her place within the life and worship of Christ's Church? With the help of God, we will. A large candle may be lit. In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask: Do you turn to Christ? I turn to Christ. Do you repent of your sins? I repent of my sins. Do you renounce evil? I renounce evil. What you're basically saying here is that on Tamsin's behalf, you promise to turn away from bad and nasty things like lying or gossiping about people behind their back or throwing a wobbly because someone upsets you - you know the sort of thing that spoils relationships. This doesn't mean that your life at home while Tamsin is growing up will be free from all strife - it won't be! But it does mean that you're promising to do your best to avoid getting dragged down into lies or dishonesty or secretiveness or a culture of blame when things go wrong. All these are the sorts of things which gradually sour relationships. Since it's just about impossible for normal human beings to stop themselves doing or thinking nasty things all the time, we all need help! This is where Jesus comes in. If you ask him to help you live a good, open and honest life in which you grow gradually closer to God, he will do so. You make these promises not on your own behalf, but on behalf of Tamsin. When she's old enough - say 10 or 11 - she might want to take on the promises for herself, but until then, you're responsible for keeping these promises for her. Wow! Sounds like a real big deal. Well, in a way it is, because it might change the direction of your life. But in another way it's surprisingly easy, because Jesus will help you through, maybe without you even realising it. After today, the church might not have a very big role in Tamsin's life. But we want you to know that our church has soft walls - you can come or go as you please and will always be welcome. And we also want you to know that if we can ever help in any way, we will. Just give us a ring. I hope the christening service is full of meaning for you and that you enjoy Tamsin's special day. Someone once said that baptism is the kiss of God on the soul of a child. Like your kisses, that kiss is very precious. It's just one of the signs of God's huge love for both of you and for Tamsin. God is on your side - make the most of God, for Tamsin's sake! God's Lent Child"I'll lend you for a little while I cannot promise she will stay, Now will you give her all your love? - Author Unknown |
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The Benefice of Dickleburgh and The Pulhams Rector: Revd. Janice Scott, 01379 676256 Welcome, Parents! |
||
|
Thank you for choosing to have your child baptised (christened - means the same thing). This little leaflet is to tell you something about baptism, and what you will have to do at the christening service. By now you'll have chosen your godparents, but perhaps I should just point out that being a godparent doesn't mean that in the unlikely event of an accident in which you both died, your godparents would have to take care of your child. That would be the job of grandparents or specially appointed guardians. Being a godparent is basically about helping to look after George's spiritual needs and the godparents have leaflets similar to this one to help them with that task. But of course, you are the main people to look after George in every way including George's spiritual needs. You'll be hearing some pretty medieval language in the christening service because the service is very historical. It dates right back to the beginning of Christianity around 2000 years ago, when Jesus himself was baptised in the river. When that happened, Jesus was filled with a sense of God. It was as though he became filled with God himself - with God's essence or God's spirit. That still happens today at baptism services. George will have God's essence or spirit inside him, but as he grows up, it's up to you and your godparents to help that spirit grow and develop inside him by helping him to make a relationship with God. What the service basically means is that you'll be promising to help George make that personal relationship with God, through Jesus. How do you do that? Well, already you yourselves have a very deep relationship with George. You care for him in every way and know his needs. But as well as feeding him and keeping him clean and making sure he gets enough sleep, you show him lots of love. You hug him and cuddle him and play with him and read to him and stimulate his mind and his body, and he responds with his love for you and by taking a big interest in his surroundings. This relationship with you and interest in his surroundings immediately tells George about God. You see, God is love, so as you love George and he feels secure in your love, you're already teaching him about God without even realising you're doing so. Of course, if you wish, you could do more. There are lots of lovely children's books of Bible stories available (your local S.P.C.K. bookshop - in the telephone directory - will have stacks) as well as beautifully produced children's Bibles. You could perhaps read some of these stories to George. There are also simple prayers which you could share with George - teach him to talk to God just as he talks to you. We'd love to see you and George in church from time to time. Or you might want to bring him to one of our regular mid-week services for parents and the under-fives. If you're not church attenders, you might be interested in finding out more for yourself about the Christian faith and this God of love and his son, Jesus. Most churches now have occasional evenings to help people explore Christianity, or could point you in the right direction where you could explore as much or as little as you wish, without any pressure or hard sell. Baptism is entry into the church (which is why the baptismal font is at the back - nearest to the point of entry). From the time he is baptised, George will be a member of the world-wide Christian church, and especially a member of our church here where he is baptised, so we'd love to get to know him and to see him grow up. The Baptism ServiceThe whole service takes place around you and George. The minister will ask you together with all your godparents to stand at the front with George and face the people in church. The minister will ask these questions, and expect you to respond as follows: RESPONSES OF PARENTS AND GODPARENTS Please respond to the questions with the words in dark type Parents and godparents, the Church receives George with joy. Today we are trusting God for his growth in faith. Will you pray for him, draw him by your example into the community of faith and walk with him in the way of Christ? With the help of God, we will. In baptism George begins his journey in faith. You speak for him today. Will you care for him, and help him to take him place within the life and worship of Christ's Church? With the help of God, we will. A large candle may be lit. In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask: Do you turn to Christ? I turn to Christ. Do you repent of your sins? I repent of my sins. Do you renounce evil? I renounce evil. What you're basically saying here is that on George's behalf, you promise to turn away from bad and nasty things like lying or gossiping about people behind their back or throwing a wobbly because someone upsets you - you know the sort of thing that spoils relationships. This doesn't mean that your life at home while George is growing up will be free from all strife - it won't be! But it does mean that you're promising to do your best to avoid getting dragged down into lies or dishonesty or secretiveness or a culture of blame when things go wrong. All these are the sorts of things which gradually sour relationships. Since it's just about impossible for normal human beings to stop themselves doing or thinking nasty things all the time, we all need help! This is where Jesus comes in. If you ask him to help you live a good, open and honest life in which you grow gradually closer to God, he will do so. You make these promises not on your own behalf, but on behalf of George. When he's old enough - say 10 or 11 - he might want to take on the promises for himself, but until then, you're responsible for keeping these promises for him. Wow! Sounds like a real big deal. Well, in a way it is, because it might change the direction of your life. But in another way it's surprisingly easy, because Jesus will help you through, maybe without you even realising it. After today, the church might not have a very big role in George's life. But we want you to know that our church has soft walls - you can come or go as you please and will always be welcome. And we also want you to know that if we can ever help in any way, we will. Just give us a ring. I hope the christening service is full of meaning for you and that you enjoy George's special day. Someone once said that baptism is the kiss of God on the soul of a child. Like your kisses, that kiss is very precious. It's just one of the signs of God's huge love for both of you and for George. God is on your side - make the most of God, for George's sake! God's Lent Child"I'll lend you for a little while I cannot promise he will stay, Now will you give him all your love? - Author Unknown |