The Church of England.           The Baptism of Children                        Common Worship                
Bold print is said altogether.  *  Normal print is for the Minister’s words.  *  Italic words are instructions.

The Preparation
The Minister says
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all
and also with you.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us that to enter the kingdom of heaven we must be born again of water and the Spirit, and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth. Here we are washed by the Holy Spirit and made clean. Here we are clothed with Christ, dying to sin that we may live his risen life. As children of God, we have a new dignity and God calls us to fullness of life.
The Minister says the Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
by the power of your Holy Spirit 
you give to your faithful people
new life in the water of baptism.
Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit,
that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love,
and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns 
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
now and for ever.
Amen.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord.
The Sunday Gospel, or some other follows. It ends:
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Here the Reading and the meaning of Baptism may be explained, or else The Commission  may be used later.
Presentation of the Candidates
The Minister addresses the whole congregation
Faith is the gift of God to his people. In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling. People of God, will you welcome these children and uphold them in their new life in Christ?
(All answer)	With the help of God, we will.
The Minister then says to the parents and godparents
Parents and godparents, the Church receives these children with joy. Today we are trusting God for their growth in faith. Will you pray for them, draw them by your example into the community of faith and walk with them in the way of Christ?
(God)parents	With the help of God, we will.
In baptism these children begin their journey in faith. You speak for them today. Will you care for them, and help them to take their place within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?
(God)parents	With the help of God, we will.
The Decision
The Minister addresses the candidates through their parents, godparents and sponsors
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:
Minister	Do you turn to Christ?
(God)parents	I turn to Christ.
Minister	Do you repent of your sins?
(God)parents	I repent of my sins.
Minister	Do you renounce evil?
(God)parents	I renounce evil.
Signing with the Cross
The Minister makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each candidate, saying
Christ claims you for his own.
Receive the sign of his cross.
When all are signed he says
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.
Prayer over the Water
All gather at the baptismal font.
Praise God who made heaven and earth,
who keeps his promise for ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
Father, we give you thanks and praise
for your gift of water in creation;
for your Spirit, sweeping over the waters,
bringing light and life;
for your Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
baptized in the river Jordan.
We bless you for your new creation,
brought to birth by water and the Spirit,
and for your grace bestowed upon us your children,
washing away our sins.
May your holy and life-giving Spirit
move upon these waters.
Restore through them the beauty of your creation,
and bring those who are baptized
to new birth in the family of your Church.
Drown sin in the waters of judgement,
anoint your children with power from on high,
and make them one with Christ
in the freedom of your kingdom.
For all might, majesty, dominion and power are yours,
now and for ever.
Amen.
Profession of faith
The Minister says
Let us affirm, together with these who are being baptized, our common faith in Jesus Christ. 
Do you believe and trust in God the Father,
source of all being and life,
the one for whom we exist?
I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Son,
who took our human nature,
died for us and rose again?
I believe and trust in him.
Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit,
who gives life to the people of God
and makes Christ known in the world?
I believe and trust in him.
This is the faith of the Church.
This is our faith.
We believe and trust in one God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Baptism
The Minister pours water on each infant saying
N, I baptize you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
The Minister says
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.
The Welcome and Greeting of Peace
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism:
N and N, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.
We welcome you into the fellowship of faith;
we are children of the same heavenly Father;
we welcome you.
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
and also with you.
The Prayers 
The Commission may be read before the prayers
Faithful and loving God,
bless those who care for these children
and grant them your gifts of love, wisdom and faith.
Pour upon them your healing and reconciling love,
and protect their home from all evil.
Fill them with the light of your presence
and establish them in the joy of your kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God of grace and life,
in your love you have given us
a place among your people;
keep us faithful to our baptism,
and prepare us for that glorious day
when the whole creation will be made perfect
in your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Let us pray with confidence 
as our Saviour has taught us
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.
Giving of a Lighted Candle
A lighted candle is given to the newly baptized.. 
When all have received a candle the Minister says
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.
The Dismissal
The Minister says
Go in the light and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

See Holy Baptism, Supplementary Card for suitable Gospels and for other supporting texts 
This Service fall within the provisions of Common Worship, Holy Baptism  © The Archbishops’ Council.