Liturgy: Consecration of the Font with Baptism, Renewal of Baptismal Vows & Confirmation

The consecration is based upon: http://portsmouth.anglican.org/information/liturgy/consecration_and_dedication_of_a_building/

The layout of the Church is rearranged so that the focus is the font with the Paschal Candle besides it. The Blessed Screen will be placed in the centre of the Reredos, and the projector just behind the altar. The Cathedra will be placed in front of the altar, and the chairs are ‘in the round’ looking towards the font. Choir in the usual position and visiting clergy on the opposite side. It is the practice of S. Thomas the use the Screen for the liturgy, but the Bishop will work from a book.

Introit: The Church’s One Foundation (t: Aurelia)

The Church’s one foundation

is Jesus Christ her Lord;

she is his new creation,

by water and the word:

from heaven he came and sought her

to be his holy bride;

with his own blood he bought her,

and for her life he died.

Elect from every nation,

yet one oer all the earth,

her charter of salvation,

one Lord, one faith, one birth;

one holy Name she blesses,

partakes one holy food,

and to one hope she presses,

with every grace endued.

Though with a scornful wonder

men see her sore opprest,

by schisms rent asunder,

by heresies distrest,

yet saints their watch are keeping,

their cry goes up, ‘How long?’

and soon the night of weeping

shall be the morn of song.

Mid toil and tribulation,

and tumult of her war

she waits the consummation

of peace for evermore;

till with the vision glorious

her longing eyes are blessed,

and the great Church victorious

shall be the Church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union

with God, the Three in one,

and mystic sweet communion

with those whose rest is won.

O happy ones and holy!

Lord, give us grace that we

like them, the meek and lowly,

on high may dwell with thee.
Procession into Church: Crucifer, Thurifer, Acolytes, MC, Mother Margaret (Gospeller), Fr. Simon, Churchwardens with wands, Bishop Christopher, (Chaplain)

Bishop: In the name of the +Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Peace be with you
and also with you

The Bishop greets the congregation

Let us hear the word of God

Choir                    Alleluia! Alleluia! (Celtic)
The heavens opened ad the Father’s voice resounded:
“This is my Son, the Beloved, Listen to him”
Alleluia!

Gospel: Matthew 3:13-17 (Baptism of Christ, Year A)

Gospeller The Lord be with you
And also with you
Hear the Gospel according to Matthew
Glory to you, O Lord

Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

This is the Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, O Christ
Choir        Alleluia! Alleluia! (Celtic)

Homily
+Christopher

The Font
The Sanctuary Party process to the font and the people gather around it.

Bishop      There is one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism

One God and Father of all

Almighty God, Whose Son Jesus Christ was baptised in the River Jordan, bless and hallow this font which we dedicate to your service. May all who are baptised here be remade by your Spirit in the likeness of Christ, to die with him and rise with him, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and glory now and forever, Amen.

Water is then poured into the font and two small phials of water will be added: from the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham and from the River Jordan. The Paschal Candle is brought and dipped into the water three times and the font censed.

Open the gates of righteousness

that we may enter and give thanks to the Lord.

For with you is the well of life

And in your light shall we see light.

It is indeed right to give you thanks and praise,

Lord God Almighty, creator of all life;

For in your great love you redeem us:

As we pass through the deep waters of death

we are raised to new life in Christ our Lord.

Therefore, heavenly Father, by the power of your life-giving Spirit,

sanctify these waters of your new creation

that we, with all who have been born anew by water and the Spirit,

may be renewed in your image,

and walk by the light of faith.

Forgive the sins of your people

and preserve your Church from all harm

that we may stand before you in purity of heart;

through your anointed Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom with you and the Holy Spirit

we lift our voices of praise:

Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation,

now and for ever. Amen
Lighting of Isla’s Baptismal Candle
The font is dedicated to Baby Isla Foulger, who lived for only a short time. She was baptised in extremis in Hospital and this Baptismal Candle was bought for her afterwards on behalf of the Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle. It was lit at her funeral.

This font marks a new phase in the life of the parish of Saint Thomas the Apostle, proclaiming confidence in the saving power of Christ through the sacrament of Baptism. When we experience sadness and loss, the hope of Christ proclaimed through Baptism gives us strength. Let us proclaim with confidence, God’s ever-present love.

The Bishop leads the following responsory which is taken from the Babies’ Remembrance Service, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham:

Though we feel adrift

God will not let go

Though we see no light

God’s light always shines

Though we feel quite lost

God will show the way

Though we feel despair

God’s hope is still there

When we feel quite overwhelmed

God’s love will bring healing and peace
Isla’s candle is lit once more from the Paschal Candle and handed by the Bishop to Isla’s Family.

Presentation of those to be Baptised

Fr. Simon presents Jo for baptism. The Bishop asks of her

Bishop          Do you wish to be baptized?
Jo                 I do.

Oil of Baptism

Christ claims you for his own.

Receive the sign of his cross.

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.

Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ

against sin, the world and the devil,

and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.

May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness,

restore in you the image of his glory,

and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ.

Amen.
Baptismal Vows
(these are made by the whole congregation)

Bishop      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 reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?

I come to Christ.
May almighty God who has given you the desire to follow Christ
give you the strength to continue in the way.

The Profession of Faith

Bishop         Brothers and sisters, I ask you all to profess, along with those to be baptised, the faith of the Church.
Do you believe and trust in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?

I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

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.
Amen.

Holy Baptism
The Bishop baptises Jo in the new font

Bishop         Is this your faith?
Jo             It is.

Josephine Patricia, I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Bishop Let us pray

May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church,

pour upon you the riches of his grace,

that within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people

you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit,

and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory.

Amen
Affirmation of Commitment

Bishop      Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

With the help of God, we will.
Will you persevere in resisting evil and,
whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, we will.

Will you proclaim by word and example
the good news of God in Christ?

With the help of God, we will.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
loving your neighbour as yourself?

With the help of God, we will.
Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society,
by prayer for the world and its leaders,
by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
With the help of God, we will.

Bishop May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,
that you may be rooted and grounded in love
and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.

Amen.
The congregation come forward to dip their hands into the font and make the Sign of the Cross as the following is sung

Hymn: Come to the River (Bob Hurd)
From CJM’s “How can we keep from singing, Vol 2”. An example can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPHdzWp4gDY&feature=related

Come, O Come, come to the river

Flowing from the body of Christ.

We’ll go down, deep in the water,

But in the Lord we shall arise.

Washed in waters of rebirth,

we have put on Christ Jesus.

Chorus

Priestly people are we,

sealed and sent by the Spirit.

Chorus

Blest are those who thirst

for the reign of God’s justice.

Chorus

Let us walk in the light

of God’s holy promise.

Chorus

Those who sow in tears,

reap the harvest rejoicing.

Chorus
Confirmation
The Confirmation Candidates are presented by the Vicar, Fr. Simon Rundell. The bishop asks the candidates

Bishop   Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?

I have.

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?

I am.

Bishop   People of God, will you welcome these candidates and uphold them in their life in Christ?

With the help of God, we will.
Bishop          Our help is in the name of the Lord

who has made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

now and for ever. Amen.

The bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says

Almighty and ever-living God,

you have given these your servants new birth

in baptism by water and the Spirit,

and have forgiven them all their sins.

Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them:

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;

the Spirit of counsel and inward strength;

the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;

and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord.

Amen.

The bishop addresses each candidate by name

N, God has called you by name and made you his own.

He then anoints them with the Oil of Chrism, lays his hand on the head of each, saying

Confirm, O Lord, your servant N, with your Holy Spirit.

Amen

Prayers
Prayers are offered for the parish, those to be baptised in the future and those Confirmed today. In response to each petition we respond:

Lord, hear us
Lord, graciously hear us.

We pray for the departed, especially for the soul of Isla, who is commemorated by this font

Rest eternal, grant unto them, O Lord

And let light perpetual shine upon them

May they rest in peace

And rise in glory
We join our prayers with the whole company of heaven and ask for the intercession of our Blesséd Lady of Walsingham:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blesséd art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray…

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done;

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation;

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Blessing

Bishop      The Lord be with you

And also with you

The God of all grace,

who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,

establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;

and the blessing of God almighty,

the +Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

The Bishop presents the Confirmation Candidates with a lighted candle.

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness

and has given us a place with the saints in light.

You have received the light of Christ;

walk in this light all the days of your life.

Shine as a light in the world

to the glory of God the Father.

Go in the light and peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God.

Recessional: Go forth and tell (t: Woodlands)
During the recessional the Bishop leads the newly confirmed out to the Narthex where there will be a fresh cup of coffee

Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!

God’s saving news to all the nations take;

proclaim Christ Jesus, saviour, Lord, and king,

that all the world his worthy praise may sing.

Go forth and tell! God’s love embraces all;

he will in grace respond to all who call:

how shall they call if they have never heard

the gracious invitation of his word?

Go forth and tell where still the darkness lies;

in wealth or want, the sinner surely dies:

give us, O Lord, concern of heart and mind,

a love like yours which cares for all mankind.

Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:

share God’s good gifts-let no one be denied;

live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,

your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.

Go forth and tell! O church of God, arise!

go in the strength

which Christ your Lord supplies;

go till all nations his great name adore

and serve him, Lord and king for evermore

Fresh Coffee and Wine will be served in the Narthex after the service

END