Events

BAPTISM

In a world so cruel and cold,
One more woman, giving birth,
Shakes assumptions, breaks the mould,
Draws the love of God to earth:
In a helpless baby's eyes,
Heaven takes us by surprise.

New born infant, powerless here,
Precious in your mother's hands;
Infant weakness, infant fear,
Infant needs, speak God's demands:
All the powers of heaven rise
In a helpless infant's cries.

Though she marvels at her child,
Pain must pierce a mother's heart,
If the powers that be run wild,
Tearing those who love apart.
When a mother's offspring dies,
Grief eclipses earth and skies.

Even so, through life and death,
Love sets hope against despair;
New-born cry and final breath
Breathe out love incarnate there;
So the humble and the wise
Worship where an infant lies.


Alan Gaunt (born 1935)
© 1991 Stainer & Bell Ltd
7.7.7.7.7 7. Trochaic

Almighty Father, behold this child;
Almighty Father, enfold this child;
Grant that she your word obeys,
Grant that she receives your love,
Grant that she may sing your praise
For ever and for evermore.

O loving Jesus, defend this child;
O loving Jesus, befriend this child;
Grant that she may seek your ways,
Grant that she may share your bread,
Grant that she may meet your gaze
For ever and for evermore.

O Holy Spirit, bless this child;
O Holy Spirit, possess this child;
Grant that she may grow in grace,
Grant that she reflects your light,
Grant that she may trust your embrace
For ever and for evermore.


Judyth Knight (born 1936)
© 1993 Stainer & Bell Ltd
9. 9. 7. 7. 7. 8. Irregular

Born into love,
royal, you crown us,
infant you claim us,
and as we hold you,
name and enfold you,
no words can tell
all we would give you.

Grow and be whole,
offer your vision;
daily be certain
God sees within you
insight and value;
follow your star
till Christ receives you.


Brian Wren (born 1936)
© 1993 Stainer & Bell Ltd
4.5.5.5.5.4.5.

VERSION 1 (for Infant Blessing)

Eternal God, we praise your love:
Your love, proclaimed throughout the earth;
Your love enfolding every child,
Which knew them all before their birth;
Which tends them in their infancy,
And keeps them to eternity.

We praise you for each child of ours
Who comes, to be our pride and joy;
We meet your love in human form
In every gift of girl or boy,
Whose helpless innocence demands
The service of our heart and hands.

Where innocence has been destroyed
Or infant helplessness abused,
Your judgement, God, condemns us all,
Our own unkindness stands accused.
Have mercy! Pierce our selfishness,
And wound our hearts to tenderness.

Help us to give our children now,
The strength of love, to bring them through
Their early years, with confidence
To put their faith and hope in you,
Then joyfully live out their days
In courage, gentleness and praise.

VERSION 2 (for Infant Baptism)

Eternal God, we praise your love,
Your love, proclaimed throughout the earth;
Your love, enfolding every child,
Which knew them all before their birth;
Which tends them in their infancy,
And keeps them to eternity.

We praise you for each child of ours
Who comes, to be our pride and joy;
We meet your love in human form
In every gift of girl or boy,
Whose helpless innocence demands
The service of our heart and hands.

Where innocence has been destroyed
Or infant helplessness abused,
Your judgement, God, condemns us all,
Our own unkindness stands accused.
God, crucify our selfishness,
And wound our hearts to tenderness.

Baptize our children, Gracious God,
With your own Spirit; let them be
Enfolded in the grace of Christ,
And know his love in infancy;
Then, joyfully live out their days
In courage, gentleness and praise.

Alan Gaunt (born 1935)
© 1997 Stainer & Bell Ltd
8 8. 8 8. 8 8. Iambic

For us all a child was born
On that ever glorious morn.
Is there greater joy on earth
Than attends a human birth?

Great the joy that Mary had,
New to cares of motherhood;
In these very joys and cares
Every loving parent shares.

Trusting now in Mary's Son,
We baptize this little one;
May he make us wise to know
How to help a child to grow:

How to grow in mind and limb,
How, through life, to follow him
In the world he came to save
By the patient power of love.


Fred Pratt Green 1903–2000
© 1989 Stainer & Bell Ltd
7 7.7 7.

In water we grow,
secure in the womb,
and speechlessly know
love's safety and room.
Baptizing and blessing
we publish for good
the freeing, caressing
safe keeping of God.

In water we wash:
the dirt of each day,
its trouble and rush
are carried away.
In Christ re-created
by love's cleansing art,
self-will and self-hatred
dissolve and depart.

In water we dive,
and cannot draw breath,
then surface alive,
rebounding from death.
Our old self goes under,
in Christ dead and drowned.
We rise, washed in wonder,
by love clad and crowned.

In water we dwell,
for by its deep flow
through bloodstream and cell,
we live, think, and grow.
Praise God, love outflowing,
whose well of new birth
baptizes our knowing,
and waters the earth.


Brian Wren (born 1936)
© 1993 Stainer & Bell Ltd
5.5.5.5.6.5.6.5.

Jesus, we come at your command
To bring this child to you;
Lord, as you consecrate this life,
Renew our own faith too.

We make the sacramental sign,
Acknowledging your claim;
Commit ourselves again to love
And service in your name.

We pray this child may see in us,
And all our children know
The wonder of your endless love
And in that love may grow;

That love which lived for others' good
And for their prophet died;
The love which triumphed on the cross
And, dying, death defied.

As, with our children, we are called
Your triumph to proclaim,
May we, like you, for others live,
Our sacrifice the same.

Then, as a family of God
We shall fulfil our part,
Till all the nations are baptized
And love rules every heart.


Aaln Gaunt (born 1935)
© 1991 Stainer & Bell Ltd
C.M.

Jesus went into the river,
John baptised him with the crowd.
As he came up from the water
People heard a voice, so loud:

'Jesus is my son', it told them,
'I am very pleased with him,
If you really want to love me
You will follow after him'.

So we now baptise our sister,
Name her in a Christian way;
Pray that she will be like Jesus,
Welcome her with love today.

3A
So we now baptise our brother,
Name him in a Christian way;
Pray that he will be like Jesus,
Welcome him with love today.

3B
So we now baptise our sisters,
Name them in a Christian way;
Pray that they will be like Jesus,
Welcome them with love today.

3C
So we now baptise our brothers,
Name them in a Christian way;
Pray that they will be like Jesus,
Welcome them with love today.

3D
So we dedicate our sister,
Name her in a Christian way;
Pray that she will be like Jesus,
Welcome her with love today.

3E
So we dedicate our brother,
Name him in a Christian way;
Pray that he will be like Jesus,
Welcome him with love today.

3F
So we dedicate our sisters,
Name them in a Christian way;
Pray that they will be like Jesus,
Welcome them with love today.

3G
So we dedicate our brothers,
Name them in a Christian way;
Pray that they will be like Jesus,
Welcome them with love today.

3H
So we christen you with water,
Name you in a special way;
Pray that you will be like Jesus,
Welcome you with love today.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
© 1997 Stainer & Bell Ltd
8.7.8.7. Trochaic

BAPTISM OF A GIRL

Lord, come to us, share our delight,
our marvel at creation,
as we in love and hope unite
to pledge our dedication.
Christ, born on earth our life to live,
this child of loving now receive;
bless all her generation.

Be present, join us as we form
a trusty circle round her,
as we in church and world, at home
with faith uphold, surround her.
Guide her in all that she can be,
Lord, hold her fast, yet leave her free;
let love release, astound her.

Lord, through the parents' open-ness,
their caring inspiration,
teach her to treasure and embrace
life with imagination.
Their home with peace and laughter bless
to make each day's togetherness
a time of celebration.

Yes, Jesus, deepen our delight
and heighten our affection
as now, in this baptismal rite,
we feast the resurrection.
This tiny child: help her arise
(whatever still before her lies),
and follow your direction.

BAPTISM OF A BOY

Lord, come to us, share our delight,
our marvel at creation,
as we in love and hope unite
to pledge our dedication.
Christ, born on earth our life to live,
this child of loving now receive;
bless all his generation.

Be present, join us as we form
a trusty circle round him,
as we in church and world, at home
with faith uphold, surround him.
Guide him in all that he can be,
Lord, hold him fast, yet leave him free;
let love release, astound him.

Lord, through the parents' open-ness,
their caring inspiration,
teach him to treasure and embrace
life with imagination.
Their home with peace and laughter bless
to make each day's togetherness
a time of celebration.

Yes, Jesus, deepen our delight
and heighten our affection
as now, in this baptismal rite,
we feast the resurrection.
This tiny child: help him arise
(whatever still before him lies),
and follow your direction.

Fred Kaan (born 1929)
© 1999 Stainer & Bell Ltd
8.7.8.7.8 8.7.

Lord Jesus, once a child,
Saviour of young and old,
Receive this little child of ours
Into your flock and fold.

You drank the cup of life,
Its bitterness and bliss,
And loved us to the uttermost
For such a child as this.

So help us, Lord, to trust,
Through this baptismal rite,
Not in our own imperfect love,
But in your saving might.

(Optional verse given in alternative versions)

Lord Jesus, for her sake,
Lend us your constant aid,
That she, when older, may rejoice
We kept the vows we made.

Lord Jesus, for his sake,
Lend us your constant aid,
That he, when older, may rejoice
We kept the vows we made.

Fred Pratt Green 1903–2000
© 1971 Stainer & Bell Ltd
S.M.

My new born, I prayed for you;
Little one, I pained for you;
Now, my joy, I praise for you:
Joy has come with you.

God Creator gave me you;
Christ Redeemer died for you;
God the Spirit shines in you:
Love has come with you.

In my arms I'll cherish you;
From my body nourish you;
Here at home I'll shelter you:
Peace has come with you.

God Creator care for you;
Christ Redeemer walk with you;
God the Spirit strengthen you:
Life has come with you.


Alan Gaunt (born 1935)
© Stainer & Bell Ltd
7 7 7 5.

Now in the name of Christ, who sent
to preach by word and sacrament,
upon this new-born child we pray
the strength of God in doubtful day.

Our names are written in God's hand,
who leads us to the promised land.
We rise in wonder from the flood
and love becomes our livelihood.

With Noah through disaster borne,
with Moses from the river drawn,
with Jonah from the sea released,
we celebrate this rising feast.

The water is a seal and sign
of costly love that makes us clean;
this love we see in Christ portrayed,
who rose triumphant from the dead.

We sing our thanks that old and young
so to the Church of Christ belong.
This is the covenant of grace;
we look salvation in the face.

Fred Kaan (born 1929)
© 1968 Stainer & Bell Ltd
L.M.

Out of deep, unordered water
God created land and life,
world of bird and beast, and later
two-some people, husband, wife.
There is water in the river
bringing life to tree and plant.
Let creation praise its giver:
there is water in the font.

Water on the human forehead,
birthmark of the love of God,
is the sign of death and rising;
through the sea there runs a road.
Chorus

Standing round the font reminds us
of the Hebrews' climb ashore.
Life is hallowed by the knowledge:
God has been this way before.
Chorus


Fred Kaan (born 1929)
© 1968 Stainer & Bell Ltd
8.7.8.7.D. including chorus

Shot through and through with wonder,
This sacrament of grace!
The Lover and beloved
Are here come face to face
And embrace.

The water holds a promise,
The promise bears a sign
That lives once drowned with Jesus
In his true life entwine
— Yours and mine!

We can live resurrection
Whatever tests our way
And love, and live for others,
And for God's Kingdom Day
Fight and pray.

We offer then our bodies
A living sacrifice
And reaffirm our baptism,
Convinced — when this life dies
It will rise.


Ian M Fraser (born 1917)
© 1994 Stainer & Bell Ltd.
7.6.7.6 2.

The light of God is shining bright
in every girl of woman born,
and in her fingers and her face
are heaven's glory, power and grace,
so when she's walking,
running, leaping,
sitting and thinking,
talking, sleeping,
don't ever treat a girl with scorn,
but look and see the face of God
in every girl of woman born.

The light of God is shining bright
in every boy of woman born,
and his fingers and his face
are heaven's glory, power and grace,
so when he's walking,
running, leaping,
sitting and thinking,
talking, sleeping,
don't ever treat a boy with scorn,
but look and see the face of God
in every boy of woman born.


Brian Wren (born 1936)
© 1989 Stainer & Bell Ltd
8.8.8 8.9 9.8.8.8.

We bring our children, Lord, today
As once they did in Galilee,
Embrace them with your love, we pray,
And bless each home and family.

On their behalf and in their name
Our own commitment we renew,
With them we die to sin and shame,
With them we live again in you.

Help us in all our ways to show
These growing souls your truth and grace,
Till they shall come themselves to know
The beauty of our Father's face.

Elizabeth Cosnett (born 1936)
© Stainer & Bell Ltd
LM

We celebrate the gift of birth,
With which begins the story
Of every cherished child of God,
To end with Christ in glory.

We celebrate God's Word made flesh:
His mother's helpless treasure,
Who coming helpless to the cross,
Has taken love's true measure.

Here in the three-fold name of God,
And through the sign of water,
The Spirit claims each one, with Christ,
God's precious son or daughter.

In every winsome baby smile,
God's Word Incarnate greets us;
In all our children's cries and tears,
The wounded Christ entreats us.

Lord, fill us with your grace, to meet
Our children's needs, and lead them
To find their soul's delight in you,
Whose love will ever feed them.


Alan Gaunt (born 1935)
© 1997 Stainer & Bell Ltd
8.7.8.7. Iambic

Welcome, welcome, today, welcome to our family,
Welcome, welcome, today, we all pray and welcome you.

Welcome, welcome, today, welcome to our family,
Welcome, welcome, today, we all love and welcome you.

Welcome, welcome, today, welcome to our family,
Welcome, welcome, today, we are all God's family.


June Baker (born 1936)
© 1995 Stainer & Bell Ltd & The Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
13.13.

7.6.7.6.D.

Verse 3A is a permitted alternative.

With grateful hearts our faith professing,
we ask you, God: come to our aid,
that we, our children re-'possessing',
may keep the vows that we have made.

We know that in your true providing
the young and old to Christ belong;
God, help us to be wise in guiding
and make us in example strong.

Give to all parents love and patience,
each home with Christian graces fill,
protect all children in temptations
and keep them safe in childhood's ill.

3A
Give to all parents love and patience,
each home with Christian graces fill,
protect all children in temptations
and keep them safe in every ill.

Accept, O God, our dedication
to fill with love the growing mind,
that in this church and congregation
the young a faith for life may find.

Fred Kaan (born 1929)
© 1968 Stainer & Bell Ltd
9.8.9.8. Iambic

Wonder of wonders,
life is beginning,
fragile as blossom,
strong as the earth.
Shaped in a person,
love has new meaning.
Parents and people
sing at the birth.

Now with rejoicing
make celebration:
joy full of promise,
laughter through tears.
Naming and blessing,
bring dedication,
humble in purpose
over the years.

Wisdom of ages,
new every morning,
Mother and Father,
Partner and Friend,
freeing, forgiving,
lift all our loving
into your presence,
joy without end.

Brian Wren (born 1936)
© 1983 Stainer & Bell Ltd
5.5.5.4.D

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