Thanksgiving for a Child

Private Celebration

  	The Greeting 	 			
 	 	 			
 	 	The minister may say 			
 	 	 			
 	 	The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
		the love of God			
		and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 
		be with you all			
All	and also with you.				 	 

		From Easter Day to Pentecost this acclamation follows

		Alleluia. Christ is risen.
All 	He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

 	 	A hymn or song may be sung. 

		Introduction

 	 	The service may be introduced in these or similar words
 	 	 
 	 	We are here today to give thanks for these children, with their 		family and friends, and to support their parents in their
		responsibilities with prayer and love. God became one of us in 		Jesus, and understands all that surrounds the arrival and
 		upbringing of children. It is God’s purpose that children should 		know love within the stability of their home, grow in faith, and 		come at last to the eternal city where his love reigns supreme.

 	 	The following may be used
 	 	 
 	 	The works of the Lord are great:
All	his mercy endures for ever.
 	 	 
 	 	Mary gave birth to a child and called him Jesus:
All	he will save his people from their sins.
 	 	 
 	 	He will be called the Prince of Peace:
All	his kingdom will last for ever.

 	 	The minister says
 	 	 
 	 	Loving God,
 	 	you hold all things in life
 	 	and call us into your kingdom of peace;
 	 	help us to walk the path of your truth
 	 	and fill our lives with gratitude and faith,
 	 	through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All	Amen.

 	 	 
 	 	Reading(s) and Sermon	 
 	 	 
 	 	A suitable passage from the Bible is read (see page 23)
 	 	 
 	 	A sermon may be preached.
 	 	 
 	 	A hymn may be sung.

 	 	Thanksgiving and Blessing	 
 	 	 
 	 	Where parents wish to recognize the role of supporting friends it 		may be appropriate for them to stand with the parents at the 		thanksgiving. One of them may present the children to the 			minister, and informal words may be said.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister says
 	 	 
 	 	Do you receive these children as a gift from God?
 	 	We do.
 	 	 
 	 	Do you wish to give thanks to God and seek his blessing?
 	 	We do.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister says
 	 	
 	 	God our creator,
 	 	we thank you for the wonder of new life
 	 	and for the mystery of human love.
 	 	We thank you for all whose support and skill
 	 	surround and sustain the beginning of life.
 	 	We thank you that we are known to you by name
 	 	and loved by you from all eternity.
 	 	We thank you for Jesus Christ,
 	 	who has opened to us the way of love.
 	 	We praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
All	Blessed be God for ever.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister may say for each child
 	 	 
 	 	What name have you given this child?
 	 	 
 	 	A parent or supporting friend replies
 	 	 
 	 	His/her name is N.

 	 	The minister may take the child.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister says
 	 	 
 	 	As Jesus took children in his arms and blessed them,
 	 	so now we ask God’s blessing on N. 
 	 	 
 	 	Heavenly Father, we praise you for his/her birth;
 	 	surround him/her with your blessing
 	 	that he/she may know your love,
 	 	be protected from evil,
 	 	and know your goodness all his/her days.
 	 	 
 	 	When all the children have been prayed for
 	 	 
All	May they learn to love all that is true,
 	 	grow in wisdom and strength
 	 	and, in due time, come through faith and baptism
 	 	to the fullness of your grace;
 	 	through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
 	 	Amen.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister prays for the parents
 	 	 
 	 	May God the Father of all bless these parents
 	 	and give them grace to love and care for their children.
 	 	May God give them wisdom, patience and faith,
 	 	help them to provide for the children’s needs
 	 	and, by their example,
 	 	reveal the love and truth that are in Jesus Christ. 
All	Amen.

 	 	Giving of the Gospel	 
 	 	 
 	 	A copy of a Gospel is presented, with these words
 	 	 
 	 	Receive this book.
 	 	It is the good news of God’s love.
 	 	Take it as your guide.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister may address the supporting friends and say
 	 	 
 	 	Will you do all that you can to help and support 
		N and N in the bringing up of N?
 	 	With the help of God, we will.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister may address the wider family and friends and say
 	 	 
 	 	Will you do all that you can to help and support this family?
 	 	With the help of God, we will.
 	 	 
 	 	Prayers	 
 	 	 
 	 	This prayer may be said by the parents 
		or by the whole congregation
 	 	 
 	 	God our creator,
 	 	we thank you for the gift of these children,
 	 	entrusted to our care.
 	 	May we be patient and understanding,
 	 	ready to guide and to forgive,
 	 	so that through our love
 	 	they may come to know your love;
 	 	through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 	 	Amen.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister may say additional prayers (page 24),
		 ending with the Lord’s Prayer. 

		The Lord's Prayer

 	 	Jesus taught us to call God our Father,
 	 	and so we have the courage to say
 	 	 
All	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.
 	 	 
 	 	Ending	 
 	 	 
 	 	The minister says this or another suitable blessing
 	 	 
 	 	The love of the Lord Jesus
 	 	draw you to himself,
 	 	the power of the Lord Jesus
 	 	strengthen you in his service,
 	 	the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts;
 	 	and the blessing of God almighty,
 	 	the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
 	 	be among you and remain with you always. 
All	Amen.

Thanksgiving for a Child

Public Celebration

		Preparation			
		
 	 	At the entry of the ministers a hymn may be sung. 		 	 	 			
 	 	The Greeting 	 			
 	 	 			
 	 	The president says 			
 	 	 			
 	 	The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
		the love of God
		and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit 
		be with you all
All	and also with you.

		From Easter Day to Pentecost this acclamation follows

		Alleluia. Christ is risen.
All 	He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

		Introduction
 	 	 			
 	 	A minister may use these or similar words.	

 	 	We are here today to give thanks for these children, with their 		family and friends, and to support their parents in their
		responsibilities with prayer and love. God became one of us in 		Jesus, and understands all that surrounds the arrival and
		upbringing of children. It is God’s purpose that children should 		know love within the stability of their home, grow in faith, and 		come at last to the eternal city where his love reigns supreme.

		The Prayers of Penitence 

		A minister says this or some other invitation to confession

		As children of a loving heavenly Father,
		let us ask his forgiveness,
		for he is gentle and full of compassion.

		After a short silence a minister continues:

	Lord, in our weakness you are our strength.
	Lord, have mercy.
All	Lord, have mercy.

	Lord, when we stumble, you raise us up.
	Christ, have mercy.
All	Christ, have mercy.

	Lord, when we fail, you give us new life.
	Lord, have mercy.
All	Lord, have mercy.

	The president says this or some other absolution.

	May the God of love
	bring us back to himself,
	forgive us our sins,
	and assure us of his eternal love
	in Jesus Christ our Lord.
All	Amen.

		The Gloria in excelsis
 	 	The Gloria in excelsis may be used,	or a Hymn may be sung
		or else Choruses and Scriptural Songs of Praise may be used.
All	Glory to God in the highest
		and peace to his people on earth
		Lord God, heavenly King,
		almighty God and Father,
		we worship you, we give you thanks,
		we praise you for your glory.
		Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
		Lord God, Lamb of God,
		you take away the sin of the world:
		have mercy on us;
		you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
		receive our prayer.
		For you alone are the Holy One,
		you alone are the Lord,
		you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
		with the Holy Spirit,
		in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

		The Collect 	 

 	 	The president introduces a period of silent prayer with 			the words 'Let us pray' or a more specific bidding.
 	 	Either the Collect of the Day, or this Collect is said.	

 	 	Loving God,
 	 	you hold all things in life
 	 	and call us into your kingdom of peace;
 	 	help us to walk the path of your truth
 	 	and fill our lives with gratitude and faith,
 	 	through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All	Amen.

		The Liturgy of the Word			
 	 	 			
 	 	Readings 	 			
 	 	 			
 	 	Either one or two readings from Scripture 
		may precede the Gospel reading.	 	 	 	
 	 	At the end of each the reader may say			
 	 	 			
 	 	This is the word of the Lord.			
All	Thanks be to God.	
		
 	 	The psalm or canticle follows the first reading; 
		other hymns and songs may be used between the readings.	
 	 	 			
 	 	Gospel Reading 	 			

		An acclamation of this form may herald the gospel

		Alleluia Alleluia 
			[Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. 
			You have the words of eternal life.]
All	Alleluia. 
			
 	 	When the Gospel is announced the reader says		 	 	 			
 	 	Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.	
All	Glory to you, O Lord.			
 	 	 			
 	 	At the end			
 	 	 			
 	 	This is the Gospel of the Lord.			
All	Praise to you, O Christ.			
 	 	 			 	 	
		Sermon 	

		The Liturgy of Thanksgiving for a Child		

 	 	Thanksgiving and Blessing	 
 	 	 
 	 	Where parents wish to recognize the role of supporting friends 
		it may be appropriate for them to stand with the parents 
		at the thanksgiving. 

		One of them may present the children to the minister, 
		and informal words may be said.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister says
 	 	 
 	 	Do you receive these children as a gift from God?
 	 	We do.
 	 	 
 	 	Do you wish to give thanks to God and seek his blessing?
 	 	We do.

 	 	The minister says
 	 	
 	 	God our creator,
 	 	we thank you for the wonder of new life
 	 	and for the mystery of human love.
 	 	We thank you for all whose support and skill
 	 	surround and sustain the beginning of life.
 	 	We thank you that we are known to you by name
 	 	and loved by you from all eternity.
 	 	We thank you for Jesus Christ,
 	 	who has opened to us the way of love.
 	 	We praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
All	Blessed be God for ever.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister may say for each child
 	 	 
 	 	What name have you given this child?
 	 	 
 	 	A parent or supporting friend replies
 	 	 
 	 	His/her name is N.

 	 	The minister says (after taking the child)
 	 	 
 	 	As Jesus took children in his arms and blessed them,
 	 	so now we ask God’s blessing on N. 
 	 	 
 	 	Heavenly Father, we praise you for his/her birth;
 	 	surround him/her with your blessing
 	 	that he/she may know your love,
 	 	be protected from evil,
 	 	and know your goodness all his/her days.
 	 	 
 	 	When all the children have been prayed for
 	 	 
All	May they learn to love all that is true,
 	 	grow in wisdom and strength
 	 	and, in due time, come through faith and baptism
 	 	to the fullness of your grace;
 	 	through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister prays for the parents
 	 	 
 	 	May God the Father of all bless these parents
 	 	and give them grace to love and care for their children.
 	 	May God give them wisdom, patience and faith,
 	 	help them to provide for the children’s needs
 	 	and, by their example,
 	 	reveal the love and truth that are in Jesus Christ. 
All	Amen.

 	 	Giving of the Gospel	 
 	 	 
 	 	A copy of a Gospel is presented, with these words
 	 	 
 	 	Receive this book.
 	 	It is the good news of God’s love.
 	 	Take it as your guide.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister may address the supporting friends and say
 	 	 
 	 	Will you do all that you can to help and support 
		N and N in the bringing up of N?
 	 	With the help of God, we will.
 	 	 
 	 	The minister may address the wider family and friends and say
 	 	 
 	 	Will you do all that you can to help and support this family?
 	 	With the help of God, we will.
 	 	 
 	 	This prayer may be said by the parents 
		or by the whole congregation
 	 	 
 	 	God our creator,
 	 	we thank you for the gift of these children,
 	 	entrusted to our care.
 	 	May we be patient and understanding,
 	 	ready to guide and to forgive,
 	 	so that through our love
 	 	they may come to know your love;
 	 	through Jesus Christ our Lord.  
 	 	Amen.
 
		The conclusion of the service is on the next page,
		but if the Holy Communion is to follow go to page 17.

	 	The Conclusion

		A Hymn may be sung, and a collection may be taken.
		This reponsory may be used.

		Make your ways known upon the earth, O Lord:
All	your saving power among all peoples.

		Renew your Church in holiness:
All	and help us serve you with joy.

		Guide the leaders of this and every nation:
All	that justice may prevail throughout the world.

		Let not the needy be forgotten:
All	nor the hope of the poor taken away.

		Make us instruments of your peace:
All	and let your glory be over all the earth.
	 	Or  brief prayers of  intercession may be offered.
		The intercession may begin

		In the power of the Spirit, and in union with Christ,
		let us pray to the Father.

		These words may be used.

		Lord in your mercy.
All	Hear our prayer.

		(or)

		Lord hear us
All	Lord, graciously hear us.		
		The Lord's Prayer

		Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
		let us pray with confidence 
		as our Saviour has taught us
All	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.

		Final Collect

		This prayer may be said by all

		Almighty God,
		we thank you for the gift of your holy word.
		May it be a lantern to our feet,
		a light to our paths,
		and a strength to our lives.
		Take us and use us
		to love and serve
		in the power of the Holy Spirit
		and in the name of your Son,
		Jesus Christ our Lord.
		Amen.

		The service ends with one of the following.

All	The Lord be with you
		and also with you.
		Let us bless the Lord.
All	Thanks be to God.
		The Lord bless us, 
		and preserve us from all evil,
		and keep us in eternal life.
All	Amen.

		Or a Priest may use this or some other blessing.

		The Lord bless you and watch over you,
		the Lord make his face shine upon you
		and be gracious to you,
		the Lord look kindly on you
		and give you peace;
		and the blessing of God almighty,
		the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
		be among you and remain with you always.
All	Amen.

		Here ends a service with no Holy Communion. 

		The Liturgy of the Eucharist
 
	 	The president introduces the Peace 
		in these or other suitable words
	
 	 	[We are all one in Christ Jesus.	
 	 	We belong to him through faith,	
 	 	heirs of the promise of the Spirit of peace.]

 	 	The peace of the Lord be always with you	
All	and also with you.	
 	 	 	
 	 	A minister may say	

 	 	Let us offer one another a sign of peace.	
 	 	 	
 	 	All may exchange a sign of peace.	
 	 	 	
		A Hymn may be sung and a collection taken.

		
	Taking of the Bread and Wine
 
		The gifts of the people may be gathered and presented.
		The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.
		The president takes the bread and wine.

		The President may use this or other table prayers.

		Wise and gracious God,
		you spread a table before us;
		nourish your people with the word of life
		and the bread of heaven.
All	Amen.

		Eucharistic Prayer E
 
		The Lord be with you 
All	and also with you. 
		Lift up your hearts.
All	We lift them to the Lord.
		Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
All	It is right to give thanks and praise.
 
		Father, you made the world and love your creation.
		You gave your Son Jesus Christ to be our Saviour.
		His dying and rising have set us free 
		from sin and death.
		And so we gladly thank you, 
		with saints and angels praising you, and saying:
 
All	Holy, holy, holy Lord,
		God of power and might,
		heaven and earth are full of your glory.
		Hosanna in the highest.
		Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
		Hosanna in the highest.
 
		We praise and bless you, loving Father,
		through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
		and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit,
		that broken bread and wine outpoured
		may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
 
		On the night before he died 
		he had supper with his friends
		and, taking bread, he praised you.
		He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
		Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
		do this in remembrance of me.
 
		When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
		Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
		Drink this, all of you;
		this is my blood of the new covenant,
		which is shed for you and for many 
		for the forgiveness of sins.
		Do this, as often as you drink it, 
		in remembrance of me.
 
		So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,
		in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice
		made once for all upon the cross.
		Bringing before you the bread of life 
		and cup of salvation,
		we proclaim his death and resurrection
		until he comes in glory.
 
		Great is the mystery of faith:
All	Christ has died:
		Christ is risen:
		Christ will come again.
 
		Lord of all life,
		help us to work together for that day
		when your kingdom comes
		and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.
		Look with favour on your people,
		gather us in your loving arms
		and bring us with [N and] all the saints
		to feast at your table in heaven.
		Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
		in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
		all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
		for ever and ever.
All	Amen.

		The Lord’s Prayer  

		Let us pray with confidence 
		as our Saviour has taught us.

All	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.

		Breaking of the Bread

		We break this bread
		to share in the body of Christ.
All	Though we are many, we are one body,
		because we all share in one bread.

		Giving of Communion
 
		The president says one of these invitations to communion
 
		Draw near with faith.
		Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
		which he gave for you,
		and his blood which he shed for you.
		Eat and drink
		in remembrance that he died for you,
		and feed on him in your hearts
 		by faith with thanksgiving.

		(or)

		God’s holy gifts
		for God’s holy people.
All	Jesus Christ is holy,
		Jesus Christ is Lord,
		to the glory of God the Father.
 
		or, from Easter Day to Pentecost
 
		Alleluia. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
All	Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
 
		The president and people receive the Holy Communion.
		Baptized persons who are communicant members of other 		Churches which subscribe to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity,
		and are in good standing in their own Church 
		may receive the Holy Communion. 
 
		Any person may come to the altar for a blessing. 
		Holding a book is a useful signal to the ministers
          
		During the distribution hymns and anthems may be sung.
		Prayer after Communion

		The President says a Post Communion prayer,
		 and all may say this prayer

		We thank you, Lord,
		that you have fed us in this sacrament,
		united us with Christ,
		and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet
		prepared for all peoples.
		Amen.

 	 	The Blessing	 	
 	 	 	
 	 	The president may use this or another suitable blessing.
 
 	 	The love of the Lord Jesus
 	 	draw you to himself,
 	 	the power of the Lord Jesus
 	 	strengthen you in his service,
 	 	the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts;
 	 	and the blessing of God almighty,
 	 	the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
 	 	be among you and remain with you always. 
All	Amen.

		The Dismissal

		Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. 
All	In the name of Christ. Amen. 
 
		or, from Easter Day to Pentecost

		Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia.
All	Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.  

Supplementary Texts

 	 	Suitable Bible Readings	 
 	 	 
		If the readings for the day are not used.
 	 	 
 	 	Exodus 20.12
 	 	Isaiah 9.2,6-7
 	 	Psalm 20
 	 	Psalm 128
 	 	Psalm 139.7-18
 	 	Matthew 1.18-25
 	 	Matthew 7.24-27
 	 	Matthew 18.1-5
 	 	Matthew 18.10-14
 	 	Mark 10.13-16
 	 	Luke 1.39-45
 	 	Luke 2.22-24
 	 	Luke 2.33-40
 	 	John 1.9-14
 	 	Ephesians 3.14-21
 	 	Ephesians 6.1-4
 	 	1 John 2.12-14

 	 	Additional Prayers	 
 	 	 
  1	For the child/children
	 	God our Father,
		we pray for this child
		that in due time
		he/she may be received by baptism
		into the family of your Church,
		and become an inheritor of your kingdom;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All	Amen.
	 	 
	 	For the home and family
	 	 
2	Heavenly Father,
	 	whose blessed Son shared at Nazareth 
		the life of an earthly home:
		bless the home of this child,
		and help all the family to live together in your love.
		Teach them to serve you and each other,
		and make them always ready to show your love 
 		to those in need;
		for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.
All	Amen.
	 	 
  3	Father in heaven, bless these parents,
	 	that they may cherish their child;
		make them wise and understanding,
		to help him/her as he/she grows,
		and surround this family
		with the light of your truth
		and the warmth of your love;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord 
All	Amen. 
  
4	God our Father, we pray to you 
		for all who have the care of this child.
	 	Guide them with your Holy Spirit,
		that they may bring him/her up
		in the ways of truth and love.
		Through their care enable him/her to grow in grace
		and become daily more like your Son,
		our Saviour Jesus Christ  
All	Amen.
	 	 
  5	For the father
	 	Heavenly Father,
		you entrusted your Son Jesus,
		the child of Mary,
		to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
		Bless N [this man]
		as he cares for his family.
		Give him strength and wisdom, 
		tenderness and patience;
		support him in the work he has to do,
		protecting those who look to him,
		as we look to you for love and salvation,
		through Jesus Christ our rock and defender 
All	Amen.
	 	 
  6	For grandparents and other relatives
	 	Father God, from whom every family 
		in earth and heaven is named,
		we thank you for the rich variety       
		of the families you have created for us,
		and for the relationships 
		which we see and enjoy within them.
		Help us to respect and learn from each other,
		that we may come to maturity 
		in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
All	Amen.
7	For brothers and sisters
	 	Living God,
		we pray for N’s brothers and sisters
		and for all whose lives will be changed by his/her arrival;
		grant them friendship and love
		that their home may be an image of your kingdom;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All	Amen.
	 	 
8	After a difficult birth
	 	Loving Father,
		you have turned pain into joy
		by the birth of N [this child].
		May N [this mother],
		remembering no longer her anguish,
		trust you in all things.
		As she asks for all she would receive,
		may she discover that in you her joy is complete;
		through Jesus your Son. 
All	Amen. 
	 	 
9	For health workers
	 	Father almighty, we give you thanks
		for all concerned with the care of N [this mother]
		and the safe birth of N [her child].
		We pray for the doctors and nurses, 
		midwives and health visitors,
		and all who will support the health and welfare of this family       
		in the coming years.
		May they be filled with your love,
		moved by your compassion
		and supported by your presence.
		We ask this in Jesus’ name. 
All	Amen.

10	When a child is adopted
	 	O God of love,
		you have made us your children by adoption and grace;
		as N becomes a member of this family
		bind them together by your grace,
		and give them wisdom, joy and faith,
		that together they may grow into your love
		and serve your purposes of peace;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All	Amen.
	 	 
11	For the birth parents of an adopted child
	 	Heavenly Father, rich in goodness and mercy,
		look with your love on N’s natural father and mother.
		Keep them in your good care
		and grant them peace;
		through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All	Amen.
	 	 
12	When a child has special needs
 	 	Living God, creator of us all,
		we thank you for entrusting N
		into the special care of N and N.
		Give them and all who surround them
		wisdom and understanding, courage and patience;
		give them grace to put aside fear and anxiety
		and to fulfill your purposes;
		fill their hearts with your unfailing love,
		that N may grow up secure in giving and receiving love
		and in the enjoyment of your presence,
		to enrich our lives and the lives of others
		in ways beyond our imagining,
		in Jesus Christ our Lord. 
All	Amen.

	 	 
Pastoral Notes

The birth or adoption of a child is a cause for celebration. Many people are overcome by a sense of awe at the creation of new life and want to express their thanks to God. This service provides an opportunity for parents and families to give thanks for the birth or adoption of a child and to pray for family life. It may be a private celebration at home or in hospital, or it may be a public celebration in church, sometimes with a number of children.
 
This service is not the same as Baptism (sometimes called Christening), which is the sacrament of initiation into membership of the Church, the Body of Christ. If you are interested in exploring the Christian faith, or finding out more about preparation for Baptism, ask the minister taking this service.

	This service is provided for a number of different occasions:
 
 		the private celebration of a birth or adoption, 
		at home or in church with only family
		and close friends present;
 	 	 	 
 		the public celebration of the birth or adoption 
		of a number of children, 
		perhaps in church on a Sunday afternoon;
 	 	 	 
	 	the public celebration of the birth or adoption of a number 		of children as part of a main Sunday act of worship.
 	 	 
	It is designed to meet the needs of:
 	 	 	 
	 	parents who see this as a preliminary to Baptism;
 	 	 	 
 		parents who do not wish their children 
		to be baptized immediately;
 	 	 	 
 		others, who do not ask for Baptism, 
		but who recognize that something has happened 
		for which they wish to give thanks to God.