Kathryn: Let us begin Marty’s renewal of Baptismal Promises with a prayer to the Source of all Life.
O Holy One, you continually remind us that your love surpasses all understanding and through your love, your child, Marty, desires to renew the promises of the holy sacrament of Baptism. May Marty continue to grow in his understanding of your infinite love as he learns the meaning of faith through service. May he continue to appreciate his gifts and responsible place as co-creator of his life in You. Amen.
Song: Come to the Water by John Foley
Kathryn: Introduction to Rite of Baptism Renewal
The Renewal of Baptismal Promises begins with a statement of intent by Marty on his desire for this special occasion.
Marty: I was initially baptized as an infant in the Roman Catholic Church. My parents and Godparents presented me and agreed to uphold the Baptismal Promises on my behalf. I am now an adult and have thought a great deal about this, and I wish to proclaim these Baptismal Promises as my own.
Kathryn: By asking for this Baptismal Renewal within the Christian community, you are promising to live justly, to love tenderly and to walk with integrity for all to see and celebrate. You are promising to continue to learn about your brother, Jesus and his message of love. Do you promise to do this to the best of your ability?
Marty: Yes, I do.
Baptismal Renewal Ritual
Kathryn: In our ritual today, we use many sacramental symbols and signs. We now continue the baptismal renewal ritual with a blessing of the water and the oil.
Karen: O Holy One, Source of all that is, we experience your grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of your unseen presence.
Seth: At the dawn of creation, Your Spirit breathed on the waters making them the wellspring of all holiness.
Stephen: The water of the Red Sea, through which our ancestors traveled, is a symbol of our liberation from all that holds us captive. In the waters of the Jordan River, our brother Jesus was baptized by his cousin, John, and anointed with your Spirit.
Karen: After the resurrection, the disciples of Jesus celebrated baptism in water and the Spirit with those who answered Your call to holiness.
Seth: From age to age, oil has been used to anoint the priests, prophets, leaders and visionaries.
Kathryn: I invite all present to please extend your hands in blessing the water and oil.
O Holy One, you call us to be co-creators of a world filled with blessing and abundance. As co-creators with you, we bless this water and oil as a symbol of your grace filled presence in our community. (pause)
Baptismal Renewal Promises
Kathryn: We invite everyone to renew your baptismal promises and respond “Yes, I do” to each of the following:
Do you promise to see what is good for your sisters and brothers everywhere, rejecting injustice and inequity, living with the freedom and responsibility of children of God?
All: Yes, I do.
Stephen: Do you promise to work for the realization of God’s vision of harmony and right relations among all peoples, rejecting the idols of money, property, color, sex and position?
All: Yes, I do.
Kathryn: Do you promise to seek peace and live in peace in one human family, rejecting prejudice and half-heartedness in every form, and all barriers to unity?
All: Yes, I do.
Stephen: Do you promise to cherish the universe, and this precious planet, working creatively to renew and safeguard the elemental sacraments of air, earth, water and fire?
All: Yes, I do.
Kathryn: Do you believe in the Holy One, the Source of all life, in Jesus our brother, who loved and lived among us so that all might live with abundant fullness; in the breath of the Holy One’s center, the Spirit who continues the work of forgiveness and reconciliation, birthing and blessing, challenge and hope, so that together we can continue the work of creation?
All: Yes, I do.
Immersion/Pouring of Water
Stephen: Marty, when you are ready, immerse yourself in this holy water. I baptize you in the name of the Father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. May you rise in the newness of life and walk as a child of God.
Kathryn:
We are using a coquille shell in the pouring of the water. It is a symbol used by pilgrims who are on life’s journey with the Holy One. We will first baptize you with holy water from the river Jordan, the same river in which Jesus was baptized by John. Then we will pour the water we blessed today. (Kathryn pours the water from the river Jordan as she says)
We baptize you, Marty,
- In the name of the Holy One who is the Source of all life, (Karen and Seth scoop water from the tub and pour over Marty’s head)
- Who is revealed through Jesus and in all of creation,
- And Whose Spirit invites and inspires us as co-creators. Amen.
Anointing with Oil
Kathryn: Karen and Seth will now anoint Marty
Kathryn: (Karen and Seth anoint Marty’s forehead as the presider speaks the following)
Marty, you were conceived in love and welcomed to life with love. We anoint you with this oil in recognition that all creation is sacred, that you are sacred.
Presentation of Stole
Kathryn: Karen will now place the stole on Marty.
Stephen: (as Karen places stole on Marty, the presider speaks the following)
Marty, we present you with this stole. May it remind you that you are called to live a life of love in service to others.
Lighting Candle
Kathryn: Seth will now light Uncle Marty’s Baptismal Renewal Candle from his Baptismal Easter Candle.
Kathryn: (as Seth lights Marty’s candle from his Baptismal Easter Candle, the presider speaks the following)
Marty, may this candle remind you of Jesus, who opened peoples’ minds and hearts to see the “light” of God’s presence within them. And, may your light shine for all to see.
All Amen and Hallelujah!
Presentation of Marty to his Family and the World Christian Community
Kathryn and Stephen: (Karen and Seth hold Marty’s arms up and present him to his family as the presiders say the following)
It is with great joy that we reaffirm and again welcome Marty (Marvin Dale Cummins, Jr.) to our Christian Community. Marty, may you, and all of us walk in the footsteps of our brother, Jesus and remember all that he taught us for all the days of our lives.
ALL: Amen! And let it be so!
Closing Song: Anthem: One Day at a Time by Lynda Randle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBnZ8bmEOTM
Adapted from, and with much gratitude to, Rev. Mary Theresa Streck, ARCWP/Upper Room for this beautiful Baptismal Rite.
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