Baptisms

We are delighted to baptise both children and adults at St Lawrence's. This page will provide you with some useful information about the baptism service and who to contact for more information


What is involved in a baptism service?

Baptism marks the start of a journey of faith. It is a sacrament, a visible sign of God’s love. It is a welcoming in to the Family of the church.

At a baptism service there are three important symbols:

Pouring  of Water

Baptism in the Christian church is when a person is immersed in water. This signifies the cleansing power of God’s love. Through Jesus Christ he forgives all the wrong that person has done. It is like having a spiritual bath. It also symbolises a new start as Jesus offers us a new life

Anointing with Oil

The person who is about to be baptised will be anointed with oil, a sign of blessing in the Bible. They will have the mark of the cross placed on their forehead. This shows that they belong to Jesus.

Giving of a Candle

The person who is being baptised is given a lighted candle. This is often looked after by a parent or God parent. This symbolises the light of Christ that has now be given to the child that has been baptised.

After this they are welcomed into the church, the family of God


What do I have to say?

There are promises and declarations that parents and Godparents undertake.

They are asked if they turn away from evil and wrong, whether they are sorry for the wrong they have done and will they follow Jesus.

They are asked if they accept the Christian faith in the form of these three questions:-

Do you believe and trust in God the Father who made the world?

Do you believe and trust in Jesus Christ his Son who lived and died to save us?

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit who makes God known to us now?

(If you are not sure what this means, then please do ask. We also run courses exploring Christianity if you would like to know more).

They are asked if they will bring the child up in the way of faith, coming to church, praying for them and encouraging them to live for God.


What about a Service of Thanksgiving?

A service of thanksgiving is ideal if you simply want to come and give thanks for the life of your child. This is a service in church where we celebrate the life of your child. In the service your child will be prayed for. They will be publicly named, blessed and anointed.  We will present your child with a Gospel and we will also pray for you as a family. We will involve you in the service allowing you to choose your favourite hymns if you would like to. It has some of the elements of a baptism service but it will simply be a celebration of your child’s life without the commitments that a baptism asks for. 

If you do choose to have a thanksgiving you can have a baptism later. If you are not sure whether you believe the Christian faith or feel you cannot make the promises with integrity then you might want to explore a thanksgiving service.


Do we have to come to church beforehand?

For a service of thanksgiving then you do not have to come to church beforehand though you are more than welcome. If you would like to have your child baptised then we ask that you recognise the solemnness of the commitment and come and worship with us in the Sundays leading up to the baptism.


How much does it cost?

There is no cost for a baptism or a thanksgiving; we are simply delighted that you want to bring your child to us.


Is my child too old?

Nobody is too old to be baptised, in fact many people are baptised as adults when they have come to a faith for themselves. However, from around the age of seven children are old enough to decide and will be invited to make the promises themselves.


What about Godparents? 

It is traditional to have three Godparents and it certainly should be no more than four. They should be committed to your child, have a faith in God and ideally be baptised.


When are baptisms done?

Baptisms are normally done during the main Sunday morning service. 


What do we do now?

If you have any further questions or would like to place an initial booking please contact us.

Many thanks for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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