BAPTISMAL AFFIRMATIONS FOR LIFE MILESTONES OR SPECIAL LIFE EVENTS:

Baptismal Affirmation in Thanksgiving for the birth of a child
(To be used at the hospital or at home with the family shortly after birth)

Word of Welcome (Invocation)
“On this day of joy and celebration we gather in the name of the source of life; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Today we give thanks for the gift of life and the safe arrival of _______________.

Scripture Readings:
Psalm 139:13-14a
Isaiah 43:1, 3a

Suggested Hymn or Song

Shine, Jesus, Shine
Jesus Loves Me (add name of the child in refrain)

Reflection/Meditation
At this time let us share hopes and dreams for ______________.
Share how will your life change when _______________ comes home?
What gifts of our own can we use to nurture the life of _____________
and our own lives?

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual
“Today as we welcome ______________ into our family we remember how God has welcomed each of us into His family through baptism. Let us take turns now remembering and affirming God’s power to make us one family through baptism.
(Take turns tracing sign of the cross on forehead with words “Remember you are a child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked by the cross of Christ forever.”)

Presentation of Gifts
Family members may wish to give gifts for the baby at this time and share significance of gift. Also may give gifts to “big brothers or sisters.”

Closing Prayer “O God of life, we are so thankful for watching over us during this time and for bringing _______ into the world and into our family. We ask for your guidance and direction as we journey together as your family united by your Spirit. Amen.

Benediction: “May the God of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca bless us as we celebrate our life together. Amen.”

Closing Hymn: “Go my children with my blessing” (With One Voice # 721)

Baptismal Affirmation for a New Home

(May be incorporated into “Blessing of a Dwelling” –
Occasional Services Book, p. 183. Invite friends, neighbors, and church members and plan a party afterwards. Use of noisemakers as you process from room to room is a nice option to include).

Word of Welcome (Invocation)
“Let us lift up, celebrate and give thanks to God for the gift of our new home.”

Scripture Reading:
I Corinthians 13 (and selected verses from Occasional Services book for each room)

Suggested Hymn or Song:
All Things Bright and Beautiful
Shine, Jesus, Shine

Reflection/Meditation
Share what this home means to you?
What are you hopes and dreams in using this new gift?
How will you help make this a place of hospitality and shelter or refugee for yourself and those in need?

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual:
Place baptismal bowl in the place where it will serve as a constant reminder of God’s promises of grace and love through our baptism. Offer a special blessing for the bowl; “Make this bowl of water serve to refresh daily as we remember our baptism into Christ. Amen.” As you move to the next room, invite anyone present to affirm their baptism (while being sensitive to present who might have not been baptized).

Presentation of Gifts
Opportunity to present any “house-warming” gifts.
Present candle to be used on anniversary of home purchase date
and other special occasions.

Closing Prayer:
“We thank you, Lord for giving us this shelter and the comfort of our home.
We also thank you for the gift of being able to welcome others into our home and let them know your love, in Christ. Amen.”

Closing Hymn:
You who Dwell in the Shelter of the Lord (On Eagle’s Wings)

Baptismal Affirmation for Celebrating a Wedding Anniversary
(May be incorporated into “Anniversary of Marriage and Anniversary of Wedding Vows” Occasional Services Book, pp. 37-44)

Word of Welcome (Invocation)
“In the union and love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”
We have gathered here to celebrate the gift of love between _______and _______.
May we rejoice the source of love that brought them together and has sustained them for the past _____ years as husband and wife.

Scripture Reading:
I John Chapter 4

Suggested Hymn or Song
“Praise God from who all Blessings Flow”
“Love that will not let me go”

Reflection/Meditation:
How has God surprised you again and again by the power of love in your marriage?
How has God’s love sustained you through times of crisis and life challenges?
What are you particularly thankful for when you consider your spouse’s gifts, unique qualities and faithfulness?

Baptismal Affirmation Ritual:
After reaffirming wedding vows, each spouse reaffirms God’s baptismal vows to each other. “Remember that in the waters of baptism God promises to empower and sustain you in love, so that you are able to love one another in the same spirit as Christ. Amen.”

Presentation of Gifts
Opportunity to share any gifts with the couple or for the spouses to share a gift with each other.

Closing Prayer and Benediction:
“May God’s love always guide and renew your love for each other each day and forevermore. Go forth and let the light of your love shine. Amen”

Closing Hymn: “When Love is Found” #741 With One Voice

Baptismal Affirmation Service for the New School Year
(as adapted from "From Everything a Season" by the Nilsen family)

Preparation: This service can be done the night prior to the beginning of the school year at home or within a church worship service.
Ask children to bring their backpacks, book bags or other school items and place the into the center of the room (or in the front of the sanctuary).
Set out baptismal bowls (or gather near the baptismal font).
In addition, have some small Christian symbol (cross, shell, dove) that can be attached on the backpack (e.g., gift pin) or placed inside.

Welcome:
In the name of our guiding Spirit, we welcome you to this time of change, excitement and new opportunities.

Prayer:
"Gracious God, you have promised to keep us safe and holy. Be present with (_name of child or these children and youth) as another new school year begins. Give (name of children or these children and youth) an open and eager mind. Protect all your children from temptation and guide them with your love. Amen."

Scripture (Suggestion; "(Name), the Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore." Psalm 121:8

Reflection (especially good if service is at home): Invite those gathered to share their thoughts and feelings about the new school year by finishing these sentences;
I'm excited about......
I'm worried about.....
I'm scared about.....

Ritual Action; If at home, have parents use the baptismal water to make the sign of the cross upon their child saying: "(Name), Jesus is with you wherever you go." (If at church, invite parents to come forward and do the same thing).
Present Christian symbol item (At home parents present this to children, at church it can be either parents or pastor on behalf of the church family) saying; "Attach this upon your backpack as a way to remind you and to let others know that Jesus is with you always."

Close with Song (e.g. WOV #779 You who dwell in the Shelter of the Lord)

Benediction/Blessing
"(Name), may the love of Jesus be with you on your first day of school and throughout the year. And take our love with you. Amen"

Affirmation of Baptism Ritual for being the caretaker of a new pet.
(Special emphasis for families with children and teaching them the role of responsibility in caring for the pet)
Set up "altar" with baptismal bowl and baptismal candles.
Discuss option of having pet be present for the ritual, and make decision together.

Invocation:
"May the Grace of God, the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Sing or play a song (e.g. "Here I am Lord", "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God", "Children of the Heavenly Father")
During song light candles and fill bowl with water (children can help with this).

Scripture Reading
(John 10:11-16 - Jesus as the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep.
Likewise we are to show love for our pet and be a good caretaker.)

Statement of Purpose:
We are here to affirm our baptismal calling and God's promise to give us the strength to do His will.
By our baptism God calls us to be responsible for the care and concern of every living creature, created out of love by God.
Let us affirm our responsibility of caring for our new pet ( name of pet)
knowing that God will help us in fulfilling our responsibility to provide the love, protection and care that our new pet needs.
Do you promise to love, provide (i.e. take the pet for walks, clean up after it, be sure they have enough food and water, etc.) and be a good caretaker of (name of pet)?
Yes, and we ask God to help us.

Baptismal Affirmation
Now God through the waters of baptism, grant us the grace and ability to be good caretakers for (name of pet), this we ask in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Everyone is invited to dip finger into bowl and make sign of the cross
or have parent make sign of the cross on the children's forehead, saying "You have been called by your baptism to serve God. May you serve in love by being a good caretaker for (name of pet), in the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
Closing Blessing or Benediction
(Follow ritual with walk or playtime with pet)

Baptismal Affirmation Service for Retirement
(If in church setting, have participants gather around baptismal font or hold baptismal bowls. if in a home setting, use baptismal bowls and candies.)

Word of Welcome
Pastor/Worship Leader: "For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” We welcome you to this time of transition, of completing one stage of life and beginning a new one.

Let us pray: 0h, God for all seasons, of work and recreation, just as you called your servants to the vocation in which they have labored for many years, so now you call them to a new beginning of retirement and renewal. Be with them as they undergo this transition and empower them to continue to bless others through new opportunities for both labor and rest.

Scripture Text: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place in which he would receive as an inheritance; and so he set out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews, 11:8

Brief Reflection: What does it mean to set out for the "promised land" of retirement? Contrast between the promise of no more full-time work, against the promise of new challenges and opportunities to use the skills and wisdom gained from your vocation. Invite participants to look back upon their work life and reflect on following questions:
What skills, values and wisdom have you gained?
How can you continue to share these things with your church, your community and home?
What are you proud of? What would you have done differently? What blessings have been given to you through your employment and how can you use them to bless others?

Baptismal Affirmation: (Group of people or individual names) may God lead and guide you into the fullness of this new stage of life, with the joy of having served as a faithful servant through your vocation. May you now go forward to receive your reward and inheritance of rest, yet ever ready to continue to serve and be a blessing to others in your season of retirement. And may you be refreshed by the everlasting promises of hope, love and peace given to you through the baptismal waters of God's grace.. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (+). Amen.
(Pastor may make sign of the cross upon the brow of each participant, using the water from the baptismal bowl, or participants may make their own affirmation by themselves.)
Benediction: Go forth now, walking boldly into the future, having been blessed by God's grace and faithfulness and with the knowledge that God walks beside you. Amen.
Baptismal Affirmation for a time of Death and Dying
(To be done in home or hospital setting. As a part of a hospice program
May be incorporated in the “Commendation for the Dying” and “Comforting the Bereaved” in Occasional Services book, pp. 103-112)

Words of Welcome (Invocation)
We are gathered in the name of Christ, who conquered death
and sustain us in this time.
Let us affirm the promise of our baptism that claims us and give us an identity and purpose beyond the limitations of time.

Prayer: “Father in Heaven, we thank you for the love and protection you offer us in all stages of our lives, in this world and the next. Amen”

Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 43:1-4, Isaiah 49:16
Ephesians 1:2-14, Ephesians 2:4-10
Deuteronomy33:27, Matthew 28:20, II Corinthians 5:17-18

Suggested Hymn or Song
Borning Cry
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Eagles’ Wings
Amazing Grace

Reflection or Meditation
Take time together to reflect on the person’s life and faith, special stories and memories, and how both have affected the lives that are present.

Baptismal Affirmation
“Remember that you are a child of God, forever in God’s loving embrace as promised in the waters of baptism.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (+)”

Presentation of Gifts
Share any symbolic tokens of person’s life and faith

Closing time of Prayer: “Dear Lord, we thank you for your promise that you have prepared a place for us and you will take us home to be with you. Please take _____
Into your presence and leave your peace with those who remain and who will miss ______. This we pray the confidence of your everlasting love. Amen”
Benediction “May the Lord watch over our coming in and going out, our beginnings and endings and new beginnings, as we ever walk with our Risen Lord. Amen.”