THANKSGIVING
The Service of Thanksgiving is
specially an occasion to thank God for the child and to
pray for him or her. There can be a hymn, a Bible
reading and a short talk. The most important part of the
service is when the minister receives the baby in his
arms, just as Jesus did. He then does several things:
- Before God and before the congregation he
officially names the child.
- He says a prayer of thanks to God for the child
and for a safe delivery at birth.
- He prays for protection of the child.
- He prays for the child’s parents, and for their
home.
- He asks for God to bless the child.
This service need not take place on a
Sunday. The difference that people usually notice is
that there is no water, because, of course, it is not a
service of Baptism. On the other hand, there is no
obligation on the parents to attend church or be members
of it. A certificate is given to say that the service
has taken place. The child is then free later on to make
up its own mind whether to get baptised or not.
BAPTISM
The service of Baptism is one in
which the parents and the godparents stand up in church
on a Sunday and make clear statements about their
Christian faith.
They must say that they ‘turn to
Christ’, that they ‘repent of their sins’, and that they
‘renounce evil’.
They must also say that they believe
and trust in God the Father who made the world, in Jesus
Christ who redeemed mankind, and in His Holy Spirit who
helps the people of God.
It is therefore a service in which
parents declare that they have a strong commitment to
follow Jesus and live each day by His teachings, praying
often to Him and trusting Him for everything.
They are promising to teach their
children to do the same and to be an example in this to
them.
They are taking on a duty to bring
their child to church for Sunday Club and to be part of
anything else the church may offer children – and St.
Faith Church offers a lot!
These declarations should not be made
without serious thought beforehand.
Parents who wish to have their
children baptised must either be members of the church
family or signify their commitment by attending the
training class with the proposed godparents.
It is also desirable that they attend
church at 9.30am on several Sundays.
There is no fee for a service of
baptism, but there is for the Certificate of Baptism and
is £12.
With best wishes from a fellow
parent,
Rev. David Gibbons
