Religious Baptism Ceremony

 

Welcome

"Dearly beloved, we are honored with the privilege of being present here today to witness and support in faith the christening of __________ ; the son/daughter of ________ and ________  born into this world on _________. You have been invited here as family and friends and request your prayers and spiritual support in _______'s life. It has been said that in a Christening, Heaven comes down and surrounds the child with God's love for which the effect is lifelong. We join our thoughts and sincere goodwill, asking that Christ's peace might embrace this family and an arc of God's light surround ______ for all of his/her days.

 

Jesus said: 'Let the little children come unto me and forbid them not; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.' Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ instructs us that all should come to faith with the eyes and heart of a child. Today, we dedicate __________ to Our God in this Christening. In Jesus Christ, we are set free of the punishment of sin and oppression of law. By grace in faith we are forgiven and assured eternal life. Jesus gave unto us two great commandments, which we should strive in heart and mind to obey. Both are of Love. To love God with all our hearts, and to love others as we would have others love us."

Charge to Parents
"________ and ________ , will you teach __________the truth that from this moment he may realize his unity with God and of Christian doctrine, the gospel ministry and of the salvation by grace through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Will you try to conduct your own life so that by both word and example, ________ may learn to live joyously and harmoniously with Christian principle and the assurance of salvation - will you strive to do this to the best of your ability?"  Parents: "We Will."

Charge to Godparents
"________ and ________ , as Godparents to __________, God will give you the wisdom and ability to hold within your heart forever his spiritual welfare. You are charged with the responsibility of seeing to the spiritual welfare of this child should the need arise and it is you who stands as spiritual counselors. Do you accept this duty and charge?" Godparents: "We do."

"Do you promise to love, honor, support and encourage __________ throughout his life?" Godparents: "We do."

Christening of Name
"What name have you chosen for this child?" Parents: "__________" "So be it. We christen you __________ in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

I christen you that you may know the pure and holy spirit of God, your eternal source of faith. May you come to know God within your heart all the days of your life and express your highest potential in Christian service.

Baptism
"I baptize you __________in the name of the Father; In the name of the Son; and in the name of the Holy Spirit; Amen.

Mother, then Father, then Godmother and Godfather make the sign of the cross on Child's forehead, repeating: "In the name of the Father; of the Son; and the Holy Spirit; Amen."

 

Celebrant continues: "Let us pray. Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secret is kept, we place ourselves under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Grant us and this child now dedicated to you, our Lord God and Heavenly Father, a clear understanding of the duties and obligations we now assume.

We pray for the care and protection of __________ in body and soul. We surrender him to your hands. Please, Dear Heavenly Father, bind your angels to bless and attend him always. May his heart grow strong, may he love patiently, and may he do what is good and holy in your eyes. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

__________, as a child of the covenant, receive this blessing.

In Baptism you are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ's own forever and ever. Amen."

Anointing of Oil 
"Throughout the Bible, Old and New Testament, anointing with oil was an act in recognition of wealth, prominence, inheritance and position. Yet in the anointing of Christ before his death on the cross, we were shown the true measure of possession, inheritance and wealth is not found by worldly measures.
__________, having now been dedicated into the Kingdom of God, Your family and I will now anoint thee with all the wealth you now possess as one in the Kingdom of God - the power and majesty of our Lord God; the unlimited and sacrificial love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the spiritual wisdom and assurance of the Holy Spirit; and of your great inheritance - life everlasting in the paradise of heaven - of perfect peace, harmony and joy. No man or woman could possess more than this.

Celebrant anoints child's chest: "In the name of the Father; of the Son; and the Holy Spirit; Amen."

Candle Ceremony
"In Christian worship traditionally, the lighting of candles has many spiritual meanings. The light of candle represents the light of a person's life. The flame represents the eternal truth of God. The light shining forth represents God's truth shining forth upon the world. For believers to collectively light a candle, represents the sharing and fellowship of faith; and traditionally represents the unity of the individual believers with Christ and the body of believers of Christianity, both in this world and in heaven. I ask each Godparent and each parent to take one of the candles and light this candle. Then, together, light the center candle for Sean, as the light of his life.

Parents and Godparents light their tapers then together they light the center candle

I ask that at the conclusion of this service, each of you keep your candle for this reason: Should there be a time in Sean’s future for which he faces difficult times of trial, or be called upon to make grave decisions - of hardship or joy, or become lost in spirit - you should, as the duty and obligation you have assumed today - find a quiet place alone to yourself.  Light this candle or another and through pray ask for the safekeeping of Sean in both body and soul from our Heavenly Father, the revelation of grace and salvation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the spiritual guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Hear the words of Our Lord, Jesus Christ: "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of time (Matt. 28 18-20). Sean, from this day onward, no matter how dark the world may seem nor how alone and lost you may feel, you shall never be alone again, never without hope or assurance of final victory.

The Lord will Bless you and Keep you; make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; Lift his Countenance unto you and give you peace. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen."

Baby Blessing Readings

Baby's Wayby Rabindranath Tagore (Hindu Poet)
If Baby only wanted to, he could fly up to heaven this moment. It is not for nothing that he does not leave us. He loves to rest his head on mother's bosom, and cannot ever bare to lose sight of her. Baby knows all manner of wise words, though few on earth can understand their meaning. It is not for nothing that he never wants to speak. The one thing he wants is to learn mother's words from mother's lips. That is why he looks so innocent. Baby had a heap of gold and pearls, yet he came like a beggar on to this earth. It is not for nothing he came in such a disguise.  This dear little naked mendicant pretends to be utterly helpless, so that he may beg for mother's wealth of love. Baby was so free from every tie in the land of the tiny crescent moon. It was not for nothing he gave up his freedom. He knows that there is room for endless joy in mother's little corner of a heart, and it is sweeter far than liberty to be caught and pressed in her dear arms.  Baby never knew how to cry. He dwelt in the land of perfect bliss. It is not for nothing he has chosen to shed tears. Though with the smile of his dear face he draws mother's yearning heart to him, yet his little cries over tiny troubles weave the double bond of pity and love.

From: Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn
"When we become parents, whether intentionally or by happenstance, our whole life is immediately different, although it may take some time to realize just how much. Being a parent compounds stress by orders of magnitude. It makes us vulnerable in ways we were not’t before. It calls us to be responsible in ways we weren’t before. It challenges us as never before, and takes out time and attention away from other things, including ourselves, as never before. It creates chaos and disorder, feelings of inadequacy, occasions for arguments, struggles, irritation, noise, seemingly never-ending obligations and errands, and plenty of opportunities for getting stuck, angry, resentful, hurt, and for feeling overwhelmed, old, and unimportant. And this can go on not only when the children are little, but even when they are full grown and on their own. Having children is asking for trouble. "So why do it? Maybe Pete Seeger said it best: 'We do it for the high wages - kisses.'  Children give us the opportunity to share in the vibrancy of life in ways we would not touch were they not part of our lives, they share their vital nature with us and call it out of us as well, if we can listen carefully to the calling."

"Apache Blessing"
"May the sun bring you new energy by day,May the moon softly restore you by night, the rain wash away your worries. And the breeze blow new strength into your being,And all of the days of your life may you walk Gently through the world and know its beauty."

"I Am Love" Author Unknown
"Some say I can fly on the wind, yet I haven’t any wings. Some have found me floating on the open sea, yet I cannot swim. Some have felt my warmth on cold nights, yet I have no flame.  And though you cannot see me, I lay between two lovers at the hearth of fireplaces. I am the twinkle in your child's eyes. I am hidden in the lines of your mother's face. I am your father's shield as he guards your home. And yet, some say I am stronger than steel, yet I am as fragile as a tear. Some have never searched for me, yet I am around them always. Some say I die with loss, yet I am endless. And though you cannot hear me, I dance on the laughter of children. I am woven into the whispers of passion. I am in the blessings of Grandmothers. I embrace the cries of newborn babies. And yet, some say I am a flower, yet I am also the seed. Some have little faith in me, yet I will always believe in them. Some say I cannot cure the ill, yet I nourish the soul. And though you cannot touch me, I am the gentle hand of the kind. I am the fingertips that caress your cheek at night. I am the hug of a child. I am love."

"Ithaka"(translation/adaptation by Sarah Ban Breathnach)
"Pray that your journey be long,full of many summer mornings when with much pleasure and much joy you anchor in harbors never seen before; Browse through Phoenician markets, to purchase exquisite treasures- mother-of-pearl and coral, ebony and amber and sensual perfumes of all kinds- as much as you desire. Visit many Egyptian cities, content to sit at the feet of sages, eager and open to receive learning.  Keep Ithaka always in your mind.Your arrival there is your destiny. But do not hurry the journey at all; be patient. Better that it lasts for many years - longer than you can even imagine. So that finally, when you reach this sacred isle, you will be wise, abundantly fulfilled by all you have gained along the way; no longer expecting Ithaka to make you wealthy, no longer needing Ithaka to make you rich. Ithaka has given you the journey, the chance to discover who you have always been. Without Ithaka as your inspiration, you never would have set out in search of Wholeness. And should you find her poor, Ithaka did not deceive you. Authentic as you have become, full of wisdom, beauty and grace, enriched and enlightened by all you have experienced You will finally understand what all of life's Ithakas truly mean."

From "The Prophet"By Kahlil Gibran
"And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, 'Speak to us of Children.'And he said: 'Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness; For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."

"This Bridge"by Shel Silverstein
"This bridge will only take you halfway there. To those mysterious lands you long to see:  Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fairs, And moonlit woods where unicorns run free.  So come and stay awhile with me and share The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known.  But this bridge will only take you halfway there - The last few steps you’ll have to take alone."

Every Person Born into This World From a passage by Martin Buber (adaptation)
Every person born into this world represents something new, something that never existed before, something original and unique. It is the duty of every person in Israel to know and consider that he is unique in the world in his particular character, and that there has never been someone like him before. For if there had been someone like him before, there would be no need for him to be in the world. Every single person is a new thing in the world and is called upon to fulfill his particularity in the world.

Children learn what they live.
If a child lives with criticism, she learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, she learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilt. If a child lives with tolerance, she learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, she learns to appreciate.  If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice. If a child lives with security, she learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval he learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance, he or she learns to find love in the world.

Untitled Excerpts from Francis Thompson and William Blake
Know you what it is to be a child? ... It is to have a spirit yet streaming from the waters of baptism; it is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief; it is to be so little that the elves can reach to whisper in your ear; it is to turn pumpkins into coaches, and mice into horses, lowness into loftiness, and nothing into everything, - for each child has a fairy god-mother in his/her own soul; it is to live in a nutshell and count yourself the king/queen of infinite space; it is:To see the World in a grain of sand,And a heaven in a wild flower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,And eternity in an hour.

Omaha Native American Children's Blessing
Sun, Moon, Stars, all you that move in the heavens, hear us! Into your midst has come a new life. Make his path smooth, that he may reach the brow of the first hill! Winds, Clouds, Rain, Mist, all you that move in the air, hear us! Into your midst has come a new life. Make his path smooth, that he may reach the brow of the second hill! Hills, Valleys, Rivers, Lakes, Trees, Grasses, all you of the earth, hear us! Into your midst has come a new life. Make his path smooth, that he may reach the brow of the third hill! Birds, great and small, that fly in the air, Animals, great and small, that dwell in the forest, Insects that creep among the grasses and burrow in the ground, hear us! Into your midst has come a new life. Make his path smooth, that he may reach the brow of the fourth hill! All you of the heavens, all you of the air, all you of the earth, hear us! Into your midst has come a new life. Make his path smooth, then shall he travel beyond the four hills! Understanding the meaning of the Medicine Wheel depends on the concept that a person's life consists of "conquering the four hills: Infancy, Youth, Maturity and Old Age. The four stages are celebrated in ritual as the four prime moments in life corresponding to the four directions.

The first hill is the South (innocence and trust) where the infant's reception into life occurs. The second hill, that of introspection, in the West, becomes the youth's solitary vigil and quest for vision. This first quest seeks the revelation of the Great Spirit's manifestation and continuing presence. This is the time when a power animal attribute enters a Native individual's soul becoming a part of his or her name. (Sitting Bull, Black Elk, Crazy Horse and so on). It marks the beginning of the dweller within, the dreaming soul that contacts the higher spiritual planes bringing back visions that serve as fundamental guide posts in life. The hill of maturity lies to the North and represents the successful realization of ability and ambition. It is the place of recognition in which the pursuit of wisdom underlies and nourishes all action. Sympathy with life itself grows in this quarter. The final hill is that of old age situated in the East. It represents a quiet, reflective and meditative segment where the old ones now can pass on their knowledge to youth as they have mastered the meaning of joy and sorrow and the many other trials and tribulations encountered over the course of their existence.

by Spike Milligan
There is a song in man, There is a song in woman, And that is the child's song. When that song comes, There will be no words.  Do not ask where they are. Just listen to the song. Listen to it-Learn it- It is the greatest song of all.

Jewish Blessing
In every birth, blessed is the wonder. In every creation, blessed is the new beginning. In every child, blessed is life. In every hope, blessed is the potential. In every transition, blessed is the beginning. In every existence, blessed are the possibilities. In every love, blessed are the tears.  In every life, blessed is the love.  There are three names by which a person is called: One which her father and mother call her, And one which people call her, And one which she earns for herself. The best one of these is the one that she earns for herself.

Irish Baby Blessing
May all the blessings of our Lord touch your life today. May He send His little angels to protect you on your way. Such a miraculous gift, sent from above. Someone so precious to cherish and love. May sunshine and moonbeams dance over your head. As you quietly slumber in your bed. May good luck be with you wherever you go. And your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

An Adoption Poem
Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone but very remarkably, all my own. And never forget, for a single minute, that you weren't born under my heart, but in it.

From the Tao Te Ching
Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.

Biblical Readings for Christenings
Num 8:11. And you shall bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation. And you shall gather the whole assembly of the sons of Israel together.  And you shall bring the Levites before Jehovah. And the sons of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites.  And Aaron shall offer the Levites before Jehovah for an offering of the sons of Israel, so that they may do the service of Jehovah.

Act 6:3-6. Therefore, brothers, look out among you seven men being witnessed to, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this duty.  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. And the saying pleased all the multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas, a proselyte of Antioch.  They set these before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid hands on them.

1Ti 4:14-16. Do not neglect the gift in you, which was given you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the body of elders.  Meditate on these things; be in these things in order that your improvement may appear to all.  Hold on to yourself and to the doctrine; continue in them, for doing this you shall both save yourself and those who hear you.

1Ti 5:21-22. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you guard these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.  Do not lay hands quickly on anyone, neither be partaker of the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

2Ti 1:3-6. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,  greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, so that I may be filled with joy,  taking recollection of the unfeigned faith that is in you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice. And I am persuaded that it is in you also.  Therefore I remind you to inflame anew the gift of God, which is in you by the putting on of my hands.

Gen 48:8-16.  And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these?  And Joseph said to his father, They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place. And he said, Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.  And the eyes of Israel were dim for age; he could not see. And he brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.  And Israel said to Joseph, I had not thought I would see your face, and, lo, God has showed me also your seed.  And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed his face to the earth.  And Joseph took them both, Ephraim in his right hand toward Israel's left, and Manasseh in his left toward Israel's right hand. And he brought them near to him.  And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left on Manasseh's head, crossing his hands. For Manasseh was the firstborn.  And he blessed Joseph and said, May God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who fed me all my life to this day,  the Angel who redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads. And let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and let them grow like the fishes into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Mat 19:13-15. Then little children were brought to Him, that He should put His hands on them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. And He laid His hands on them, and departed from there.

 

Mar 10:13-16. And they brought children to Him, so that He should touch them. And His disciples rebuked those bringing them. But when Jesus saw, He was much displeased and said to them, Allow the little children to come to Me and do not hinder them. For of such is the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter into it. And taking them up in His arms, He put His hands on them and blessed them.

1 Corinthians 7:14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

 

 

 

Religious Divorce Ceremony

 

Welcome
Officiant says: Welcome. We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the separation of this man and this woman who were united in marriage. The courts have granted their divorce and we gather to support them as they give their blessing to one another to seek a new life.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven - a time to break down, a time to build up. . . a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to keep, and a time to cast away. - Ecclesiastes

God made the cycle of life to be birth, life, and death. We recognize that relationships often follow this pattern. During a wedding ceremony, couples promise in good faith to love each other until parted by death; however, the love between them sometimes comes to an end sooner. When love fades, the bonds of marriage when based on love may be complete.

It is wise to remember that relationships never end. Death, divorce or separation does not end a relationship, it only changes it. As long as you both have memory, you will always have a relationship with one another. We are gathered together today to mutually accept the change that is occurring now.

God (or Love) calls us to right relationships based on love, compassion, understanding, acceptance, and trust. Whenever any of these elements is absent from a marital relationship, then that partnership no long reflects the intentionality of the wedding vows.

The good news is that our failures are forgiven; we are raised from the dead (so to speak) and restored to a new life. The passing of love, like the passing to the grave, has no power to rob us of the life that is intended for all people.

Thus we gather this day to support and bless ________ and ________ as they acknowledge their mistakes, forgive one another, receive God's blessing, celebrate the new growth that has occurred in each of them, and make new commitments for a new life.

The Declaration of Consent
Officiant to the Man: ________, do you enter into this new beginning of your own free will; do you acknowledge (before God), and ________, your past mistakes? Do you seek forgiveness for the mutual respect and trust that you have failed to give and agree to set your spouse free of this relationship, that you and she may receive (from God and) from one another the gift of new life and move toward health and wholeness once again?  Man: I do.

Officiant to the Woman: ________, do you enter into this new beginning of your own free will; do you acknowledge (before God), and ________, your past mistakes? Do you seek forgiveness for the mutual respect and trust that you have failed to give and agree to set your spouse free of this relationship, that you and he may receive (from God and) from one another the gift of new life and move toward health and wholeness once again?  Woman: I do.

The Undoing of the Vows
(The man faces the woman, takes her right hand, and says): In the name of God (or Love), I, ________, release you, ________, from your vow to be my wife. I thank you for the love and support you have given me. I ask your forgiveness for my part in the failure of our marriage.

Woman: You are forgiven.

(The woman faces the man, takes his right hand, and says): In the name of God (or Love), I, ________, release you, ________, from your vow to be my husband. I thank you for the love and support you have given me. I ask your forgiveness for my part in the failure of our marriage.

Man: You are forgiven.

(The Officiant asks each to remove the wedding rings from their left hand.  The man and woman may place them on their right hand or give them back to each other.  Officiant's words would reflect this.)

Minister: ________ and ________, by removing your wedding rings from your left hand and placing them on your right hand (or giving back) you set each other free. I pray you will both find peace and joy in your new life separate and apart from each other. Let it be.