Liturgy with Baptism and First Communion, Presider: Mary Weber ARCWP

 Liturgy WITH Baptism and First Communion

Opening Prayer

Spirit of God, you moved over the waters breathing life, freedom and joy into creation. Fill us, bathe us, and drench us with your presence, with your healing, with your refreshing love. Make us a life-giving river spilling over and splashing justice, truth and love over all. Amen

                                                                                                                                      Readings

Matthew 3:13-17: Jesus is baptized

Matthew:28:19-20: Jesus tells his followers to baptize people

1 Corinthians 23-25: Jesus tells us to take bread and wine in his memory.

“Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread. Having given thanks, he broke it and said, this is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me….. he did the same thing with the cup: this is my blood, (my very life, my heart and soul) Each time you drink this cup, remember me.”*

John 6-51 Jesus says that the bread is truly his body and blood and that we need this food and drink on our life’s journeys.

“I am the Bread of Life,” Jesus said…..Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; the bread that I give is myself.”*

Shared thoughts and feelings about what being baptized and welcomed to the table means to you.

    Reception of the Children

      Lisbeth and Clyde:  Please read together just before the Baptism starts.

Christ Jesus, you have blessed us with our children, and brought us here to the waters of Baptism. 

Help them to know you and bless you as their friend and brother. 

Be our son’s and daughter’s light and help them to walk in your Way.

Welcome them to these waters of light, peace and freedom.

 Welcome them as your own and make a place for them at the joyful banquet of your love. Amen.

CELEBRANT:

Lisbeth and Clyde:

 What baptismal names do you wish these children to have?  Parents: Ezra Ross and Cleo Elise

CELEBRANT: What do you ask of this gathering of Christians?  Children: Baptism

CELEBRANT: You have asked to be baptized. In doing so, you are accepting the way of Jesus.  Jesus teaches us to love.  Will you try to love God by loving others as well as yourself?

 Ezra and Cleo:  I will

 

CELEBRANT to Godparents:  Are you ready to help these parents in their choice to continue raising these children as Christians   Godparents: We are.

Celebrant: Are you ready to help Ezra and Cleo to grow in the Christian faith?  Godparents: We are.

CELEBRANT: The Christian community welcomes you! And we claim you for Christ by tracing the sign of the cross on your forehead with parents, godparents, and others.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

BLESSING THE BAPTISMAL WATER

CELEBRANT: Loving God, our Father/Mother, you give us grace through sacred signs which tell us of the wonders of your unseen presence.  In Baptism, we use your gift of water which is a symbol of your kindness.

Look now with love upon those gathered and gift us with the joy of Baptism.

By the presence of the Holy Spirit give to this water the light and joy of Jesus, your Child, so that in the sacrament of Baptism all those whom you have called may be renewed by water and the Holy Spirit.  (Touch the water)

May we consider the holiness of this water which you have created, so that those who are baptized today may be energized by the Holy Spirit and may take their place among your holy people.

all: amen

.                       

Rejecting Wrongdoing, Anointing, and proclaiming faith

CELEBRANT: Dear Parents and Godparents, You have come here to present these children for baptism.  By water and the Holy Spirit they are to receive the gift of welcome into the family of Christianity. On your part, you will continue to nurture their faith lives and guide them by your example..  See that the divine life which God gives grows always stronger in their hearts.

If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the meaning of your own baptism.  Reject wrongdoing; show your faith in Christ Jesus.  This is the faith of the Christian community. This is the faith in which these children are about to be baptized.

CELEBRANT:  Do you reject choosing to harm and hurt others and yourself?

             ALL:  I Do.

CELEBRANT: Will you try to make choices that are kind, loving and fair to others?

             ALL:  I Will.

CELEBRANT: Will you try to remember to ask God to help you when you are tempted to cause harm or hurt?

             ALL:  I Will.

CELEBRANT: Do you believe in God the Father/Mother Loving Maker of heaven and earth?

             ALL:  I Do.

CELEBRANT: Loving God, we have promised to choose light instead of darkness, to be open to love instead of hate, to be your presence in the world, fill us with the wonder of your light and love. Watch over Cleo and Ezra and guide their every step in life’s journey.

ANOINTING

We anoint you with the oil of gladness in the name of Jesus who loves you.  May   Jesus strengthen you with his light and joy.  ALL: Amen.

[Celebrant anoints them on the forehead and hands – then lays hands on them silently.]

           Statement of Beliefs

CELEBRANT: Do you believe in God the Father/Mother of all who caused the cosmos to come into being?

 All: I do.

CELEBRANT: Do you believe in Jesus the Christ, God’s own child, born of Mary, who was crucified and was buried, rose from the dead and is now with us and with our loved ones in heaven?

            ALL:  I Do.

CELEBRANT: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, that God is present in everyone, as well as in those who have died and gone beyond this life, do you believe that you are forgiven when you need to be, do you believe that when you die God will embrace you and at the end of time the entire cosmos will be transformed into a new creation, a loving family where there will be no more tears, only joy and oneness.

            ALL:  I Do.

CELEBRANT: This is our faith.  This is the faith of Christian believers.  We are happy and proud to profess it, in Jesus the Christ.

           

Baptism

CELEBRANT: Lisbeth and Clyde do you want Cleo and Ezra to be baptized in the faith of the believers, which we have all stated and proclaimed?

Lisbeth and Clyde: I do.

CELEBRANT: Cleo and Ezra do you want to be baptized and be counted as a member of the family of Jesus?

Ezra and Cleo:  I do.

Celebrant with Parents and Godparents: 

  I baptize you, in the name of God who is Father and Mother, Creator, and Giver of Life and Love to all

And of Jesus Christ the Son who is the Wisdom of God and of the Holy Spirit, who is the Breath of Life who flows through us and every creature. Amen

ANNOINTING AFTER BAPTISM

CELEBRANT: Christ has given you new birth by water and the Holy Spirit. May Jesus, who welcomed all, children, youth and adults, anoint these beloved with the chrism of salvation, bringing them into unity with all the people of God. 

ALL:  AMEN.  

[celebrant anoints on top of head]

CLOTHING WITH WHITE GARMENT

CELEBRANT: Cleo and Ezra, you have officially  become members of the Christian family, and have clothed yourselves in Christ. See in this garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity.  With your family and other Christians to help you by word and example, carry this dignity forever and bring that dignity and respect to others throughout your life.    ALL: AMEN

LIGHTED CANDLE

[Family member lights candle]

CELEBRANT: Receive the light of Christ.  This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly.  All of you have been embraced by the Light of Christ while still in your mother’s womb.  You are to care for that light within you so that God’s love and light may shine always.  Be the light that you want others to be.  May you keep the flame of faith alive in your hearts and when Jesus comes, may you go out to meet him with all the saints. 

ALL: AMEN.

PRAYER OVER THE EARS AND MOUTH

CELEBRANT: Jesus made the deaf hear and the dumb speak.  May Jesus touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth to proclaim his way!    ALL: AMEN.       

EUCHARISTIC LITURGY

 First Holy Communion

CELEBRANT:  You have put on Christ.  In Christ you have been baptized.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  And now you will celebrate with us your First Holy Communion.

 Please all extend hands as we recite the consecration together)

ALL:  The night before pouring forth his love for all people, Jesus took bread, broke it and shared it with his beloved companions, saying:

Take this, all of you, and eat it. This is my body which will be given for you.

Then, looking with tender warmth on his friends, Jesus took a cup of wine, and shared the cup, saying:

ALL:  Take this all of you and drink from it; this is the cup of my blood, the blood that will satisfy the longings of human hearts for all times. It will be poured out for the healing and wholeness of all creation. Remember always you are a reflection of God.

Let us proclaim the mystery of our dying and rising in Christ:   ALL:  Jesus comforts us in our losses, cries with us in our sorrow, and promises that deep within us flow rivers of living water.

As we share this holy meal, we remember the holy men and women, our favorite saints, the prophets, and all those loved ones who have died, especially Uncle Doug and other family members and friends who now live with Jesus in their new life. We cherish their memories and ask them to be with us as we live our faith journey.

May each of us be anchored in the still waters of your presence where abundant blessings flow forever. O Holy One who lives in our hearts, we celebrate your light and life within us, your joy fills us. Your blessings are the wellspring of grace all around us. Your compassion is fresh, like dew, every morning. Your healing frees us from all darkness and oppression.

ALL:  For you are the Love that dwells within us, the Wisdom of the Ages that speaks through us, the Divine Connection that makes us all one.  Amen.

THE PRAYER OF JESUS

ALL:  Our Father and Mother…

Celebrant:   Beloved God, shield us from great harm and grant us peace in our day.  In your concern for us help us from doing hurtful things and keep us from the kind of worry that keeps us from trusting you. We wait in joyful hope for the time when all will live together as the family of God.

ALL:  For the kindom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

THE SIGN OF PEACE

Celebrant: Peaceful Waters, we share the abundant love that flows among us as we embrace each other with open hearts.  Look on the faith of all and grant us the peace and unity of your kindom where you live forever and ever.  ALL:  Amen.  

Celebrant:  May the peace of Jesus be always with you.  ALL:  And also with you. 

Celebrant:  Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

  LITANY FOR THE BREAKING OF BREAD

ALL:   Loving God, You call us to speak love, show us the way.   Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice, show us the way.    Loving God, You call us to be your presence in the world.   Give us peace.   ALL:  Amen.

Cleo and Ezra, are you ready to receive the gift of Jesus in bread and wine?

All are welcome to receive communion.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Celebrant: Loving God, thank you for being present in this bread and wine and in this gathering. We have experienced your life-giving waters here together. We are grateful for this time together.   ALL:  Amen.

CONCLUDING RITE

Celebrant:  Jesus the Christ is always with you!  ALL:  and also with you.

We rejoice Ezra and Cleo, in seeing the      Spirit of God, the Spirit of Love and Life, in each of you. Spread this Love not only to your family and friends but to all of God’s creation, to animals, trees, flowers, lakes and the entire cosmos. Take your Baptism into the world and be healers to all who are hurting. Take the kindness of Jesus, the Bread of Life, into each day.  We gladly join in giving thanks for the wonderful gifts that you are to your parents and grandparents, to Aunt Debbie and to other relatives and to your friends, classmates and neighbors. You are cherished and loved and welcomed into the Christian family.

BLESSING

Now let us extend our hands to bless Cleo and Ezra.

May God, who filled the world                                        with joy by giving us his Child, bless these newly baptized children!  May they grow to be strong signs of God’s love and kindness!    AMEN.

And now we ask Ezra and Cleo to lift their hands to bless us with these words

May God the Mother/Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you all now and forever!  

ALL:  AMEN.

 Go in peace to love and serve our God and one another.  ALL:  THANKS BE TO GOD.

 Amen!

*Scripture taken from The Inclusive Bible and the Message

  Liturgy and Baptismal Rite revised by Mary Weber,  reviewed and edited by Bridget Mary Meehan, Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests , December,2015.