"Blessing of Intentional Relationships and Mutuality"
Another title could be "Affirming our Unity in Christ and sharing the Spirit's guidance"
(10 -15 minutes)

Invocation: "Let us affirm and celebrate the life-giving power of our relationships in Christ."
Opening prayer: "Loving God, thank-you for the blessing of life, but even more for those who make life worth living, the gift of family, friends, colleagues, and fellow members of the body of Christ. Give us what we need to remain ever faithful to you and to the covenant we will make, that our lives may be enriched with mutual growth through Christ. Amen"

Scripture reading:
"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete; be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."
(Philippians 2:1-2)

Possible Hymn "They'll Know we are Christians by our love" or
WOV # 748 "Bind us Together Lord"

Announce: "At this time please come forward and help write a covenant for affirming and building relationships between us. (i.e., youth and adults, or between church bodies, whatever groups are being represented). Please keep your statements and focused on what you are willing to do to help foster our sense of partnership in Christ. Some possible examples include making a commitment to listen to one another, to pray for each other, to be compassionate and patient, to be an advocate for each other, etc.
(Could do this during the singing of the hymn above)

After the song concludes and/or everyone is given time to write something down, ask each person come forward to sign the covenant, light a candle and affirm their baptism, by making the sign of the cross with water from the baptismal bowl, saying to themselves:
"May God empower me to keep the covenant we have made through God's baptismal grace."
[As people do this you may sing WOV #752 "Here I am Lord."]

Closing Prayer:
"May God's love for us be reflected in our commitment to each other. May we fulfill our promises with actions of love, empowered by God's steadfast grace and peace."

Conclude with the Passing of God's Peace

Blessing for the Discovery of our Baptismal Ministry and Gifts
(5-10 minutes)
[Have participants bring their baptismal candles and bowls]

Invocation: Let us recognize, lift up and celebrate our gifts for baptismal ministry.

Opening Prayer: Gracious Giver of every good gift, thank you for allowing us to discover the particular gifts you have given us to further your ministry in the church and to the world. May we grow even more aware of our gifts and work more intentionally to use them in meaningful ways for the sake of your gospel, through Jesus Christ. Amen

Scripture Reading:
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
And there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;
And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activities all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
I Corinthians 12:4-7

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual
Please light your baptismal candles, and together let us repeat the words spoken at each baptismal service:
"Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Please silently complete the following sentences:
I am passionate about.....
I feel like I am using my gifts for Christ's ministry by....
My gifts make a difference in the church because.....
My gifts make a difference in the world because.....

Leader: Please come forward and place your candle on the stand [have a stand to hold all the candles] and then fill your baptism bowl with water. [have helper to do this]

Leader: Please repeat after me:
"Lord, in gratitude for the gifts and talents you have given me I hold up my baptismal bowl, asking you for opportunities to use my gifts for your glory. This I ask in the name in which I was baptized; In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit"
[make sign of the cross with water from the baptismal bowl]

Leader: I now invite you to come and return your water into the large baptismal bowl, to remind us that we are united by the same water, and in the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God, for the same common mission. Please join me in our benediction; "May all God's children use the gifts God has given them for the common good of your ministry and mission. Amen"

Closing Hymn WOV # 748 "Bind us Together Lord"

Affirmation of Baptism in Recognition of Ministries in the Congregation [Adapted from Occasional Services, p. 143-44]
(Also recommended to adapt Installation Service for Church Officers to Baptismal Affirmation [See Occasional Services, p. 132])

***Suggestion: Do Installation service during the children’s sermon and use the children to trace water on forehead of the church council officers.

Invocation: Let us recognize those who contribute their time, talent and devotion to the various ministries of the congregation, both within the church and in the kingdom of God.

Leader: Dear Christian friends; Baptized into the priesthood of Christ, we all are called to offer ourselves to the Lord of the Church in thanksgiving for what he has done and continues to do for us. It is our privilege to recognize and support those who are engaged in the work of this congregation (and throughout God's kingdom), especially those in the ministry of __________(baptismal education and witness).
[Other examples could be worship, stewardship, servants in the field of medicine, teachers, special trades like electricians, plumbers, etc.]

Leader: Having offered yourself in the ministry of confirmation/baptismal living will you follow our Lord's example of humble service?
Participants: Yes, with God's help.

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual:
Leader: Now remember your baptism, that as a child of God, you have been sealed and empower by the Holy Spirit and wear the cross of Christ to do his work and proclaim his grace.
[Make sign of the cross with water]
Participant: Amen

Closing prayer: For all who offer themselves in your name, we give thanks, O God. Give them the joy of service, and constant care and guidance. Help us all to be both willing servants and thankful recipients of ministry, that your name be glorified, your people live in peace and your will be done; through Jesus Christ who taught us to pray;
Our Father....

Closing Hymn LBW #261

Baptismal Affirmation for being Committed to Lifelong Learning and Bible Study
(for children it could be adapted into an Affirmation upon Receiving Your First Bible or For Entry into Church School - see For Everything a Season, p.65-66)

(This could be used to begin a new adult class, a Baptismal Living Group, or within the church service as the fall educational program begins)

Welcome:
Welcome in the name of Holy Spirit, our guide toward eternal wisdom, as we prepare for this time of learning and sharing the faith through God's Word.

Opening Prayer:
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long." Psalm 25:1, 4-5

Reflection/Meditation:
Invite people recall and name those who have been teachers of the faith to them.
Have them recall and name experiences whereby God's Word taught them something important and provided new insight for living.
Have them reflect and name some of the new learning they are hoping for in this class or new season of learning.

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual:
(Use evergreen branch to sprinkle upon participants)
"May our minds and hearts be open to the knowledge of God's Word and be illumined by the power of the Holy Spirit, + In the name of the Father, Son and Holy."

Give participants Bible or Study booklet to be used.

Closing Hymn (Suggestion; WOV #687 "Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading" especially verse 2: "Come to teach us, come to nourish those who believe in Christ, Bless the faithful, may they flourish, strengthened by grace unpriced." Or #776 "Be Thou My Vision")

Benediction:
May God's Word and Spirit guide us in every way and every day, throughout our lives. Amen.

Baptismal Affirmation for Rally Day (First day of Sunday School)

Word of Welcome (Invocation)
“We are gathered to celebrate a new Sunday School year. We rejoice over the opportunity to learn and grow in faith and understanding.”

“Let us offer a blessing of support for this important ministry.”
Invite S.S. Superintendent, teachers, assistants, parents and students to come forward.

Scripture Reading:
Matt. 28:18-20
Matt. 19:13-15
Luke 2:40

Suggested Song:
“This little light of mine”

Reflection/Meditation:
Why do we have Sunday School?
What do we want to learn? How do we want our faith to grow?

Let us proclaim together our “Faith or Mission Statement for S.S.”
(see Matt. 28:18-20 for help in developing statement)

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual:
All: “I am a child of God, I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked with cross of Christ forever.”
Leader: “Gracious God, we thank you for this new Sunday School season that you have given us. Continue to strengthen us with the Holy Spirit and increase in us your gifts of grace, as proclaimed in the waters of baptism…
(Invite children to use pine branches and sprinkle the S.S. leaders, the parents and the congregation).

Presentation of Gifts:
Suggested gifts for students may include Bible, bookmark or small pin, wooden cross, S.S. offering envelopes. Give all participants baptismal bowls, home devotionals, etc.

Closing Prayer/Benediction:
“Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Amen.”
(from Philippians 4:8-9)
Closing Song: “Shine, Jesus, Shine” #651 With One Voice

Baptismal Remembrance for Receiving New Members

Adapted from Welcome to Christ: Lutheran Rites for the Catechumenate.

[Those affirming their membership into the church body come forward after sermon and gather around the baptismal font. Sponsors (or Good Shepherds) come forward and join them, along with the Church Council President.]
Word of Welcome (Invocation):
Pastor: Dear Christian friends: Baptized into the priesthood of Christ, we are all called by the Holy Spirit to be united as members of one body and to offer ourselves, our talents and our gifts in thanksgiving to our gracious God.
It is now our privilege to welcome those who God has sent to share in our Lord's ministry in this place and at this time. Together may we affirm our partnership in Christ to carry out our mission as Christ's disciples to the world.

To affirm and proclaim our one faith, I ask that you stand and profess the Apostle's Creed together. (after congregation may be seated)

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual:
Church Council Representative (or Pastor):
Through Holy Baptism our heavenly Father set us free from sin and made us members of God's family. Through Word and sacrament we are nurtured in faith, that we may proclaim the gospel of Christ and bear God's creative and redeeming word to all the world. I invite you now on behalf of the members of ____(church's name)__________ to share in this the same vocation and ministry given to us through our baptism into Christ.
Baptismal remembrance
(Pastor may sprinkle with evergreen branch new members or invite make the sign of the cross on their forehead, include Good Shepherds and council representative).
Pastor: Let us now remember and affirm to the power and grace given to us through our baptism, and God's eternal promise of life and love together as the one Body of Christ. + In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Pastor: By the grace received in baptism, we are able to make a commitment of service and discipleship. I now ask (names of new members being received)
__________ will you endeavor to pattern your life on our Lord Jesus Christ and in gratitude to God, serve one another in love and humility, and uphold this Body of Christ with your prayers, your time and talents and pledge of faithfulness?
Response: I will, and I ask God to help me.
Pastor: I now ask the members of this body, do you promise to support, serve and uphold in prayer these new members who God has called to share in Christ's ministry here at ___________ and throughout the world.
Response: We will and we ask God to help us.

Let us pray:
Almighty God, by the power of the Spirit you have knit these your servants into the one body of your son, Jesus Christ.
Look with favor upon us all in our commitment to serve in Christ's name.
Give us courage, patience and vision.
Strengthen us in all in our Christian vocation and mission to witness the world your love and grace, this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Council President: On behalf of the members at _____________ I welcome you and look forward to all that God has in store for us as we worship and serve our Lord together.

Good Shepherds present baptismal bowls and candles to new members.
Pastor (or Good Shepherds): Please accept these gifts to remind you daily of your baptism and all the promises we receive through the love of Christ.
May it also remind you of your partnership with this church body and inspire you to be faithful and joy-filled disciples of Christ.
Conclude with the Passing of the Peace

Baptismal Affirmation for National Tragedy and Mourning

Preparation: Fill Baptismal Font with water (or if at home fill baptismal bowl) and place at center of service. Pass out candles for all the participants (if at home use baptismal candle if available).

This also can be added to general worship service or integrated into Prayers for the Close of the Day (LBW - p.154-60) or Response Prayer 1 & 2 (LBW - p. 161-67)

Welcome/Invocation
"O God of darkness and light, of day and night, be with us and guide us during this dark time and help us remember that "even the darkness is not dark to you." (Psalm 22:1) In Name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Take a few moments to name the tragedy that has occurred, those we are praying for and what this time of reflection and prayer means and offer us in the context of remembering our baptism and relationship to God.

Hymn (Suggestions: In LBW; #320 O God, Our Help in Ages Past, Lord, #333 Take My Hand and Lead Me. In WOV; #748 Bind us Together Lord #738 Healer of Our Every ill)

Scripture Readings Psalm 46, Romans 8:31-39

Response/Reflection
(offer time for personal reflection, both silent and spoken)

Prayers of the People
(Invite people to offer their own prayers, followed by "Lord in your mercy; Hear our Prayer" Suggested prayers in LBW - p.42-43, #166, 169-172) Close with the Lord's Prayer.

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual: By our baptism we have God's promise that there is nothing that can separate us from God's love, the love that formed us into one family. By our baptism we share in the same vocation of compassion and service, of prayer and bearers of hope. May the cross we wear upon our foreheads remind us that we are never alone and are given the strength of Christ to accomplish all things in His name.
I invite to come forward and retrace the sign of the cross with the water and re-affirm your baptismal covenant with our God.
(If space allows, gather around the baptismal font for lighting of the candles and passing of the peace, otherwise people may return to their seats. May sing a hymn as people come forward and return to their seats.
People could also have the option of praying at the altar rail before returning to their seats).
Lighting of the candles:
Remember the words spoken at your baptism "So let light your light shine so that others may see your good works and give glory to God"
May we be Christ's light to a world filled with darkness and sorrow, may we be Christ's love to a world filled with hate and anger, may we be Christ's hope to a world filled with despair and uncertainty."

Closing Hymn #738 (or use just words as a benediction)
"Healer of our every ill, light of each tomorrow, give us peace beyond our fear and hope beyond our sorrow."

Time of Silence
(Extinguish candles - invite people to take candles home and light them during their prayer time)

Passing of Peace and Benediction:
"Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." John 14:27

The Sharing of God's Peace.

Return to general service or conclude with Peace.