The following is my own draft for reflection and discussion. It needs more translated into Te Reo Maori.

The Liturgy of Baptism

The Gathering of the Community

The presider greets the congregation using one of the usual liturgical greetings. This may be followed by informal greeting and welcome. A gathering hymn or waiata may be sung. In order to stress that it is baptism that is for the forgiveness of sins, absolution is normally omitted.

God’s Call

The presider says these or similar words.

E te whanau a te Karaiti / Dear friends in Christ, God is love, God gives us life. We love because God first loves us. In baptism God declares that love; in Christ God calls us to respond.

The Presentation for Baptism

Each candidate for baptism is presented individually by a sponsor or, in the case of a child, by a parent or godparent, who says

I present N (my child) to be baptised and made a member of the Body of Christ, the Church.

They may express their reason for asking for baptism.

The Collect of the Day or a Collect for Baptism follows.

The Proclamation

The readings for the day or readings appointed for baptism follow.

The Sermon

The Sermon is preached here.

The Affirmation of Faith

The presider says these or similar words.

Let us rejoice with those committing themselves to Christ, and celebrate the faith of baptism.

Presider       Do you believe in God the Father
All      I believe in God the Father almighty,
          creator of heaven and earth.
Presider       Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God
All       I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,
          who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
          born of the Virgin Mary,
          suffered under Pontius Pilate,
          was crucified, died and was buried;
          he descended to the dead.
          On the third day he rose again;
          he ascended into heaven,
          is seated at the right hand of the Father,
          and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Presider       Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
All       I believe in the Holy Spirit,
          the holy catholic Church,
          the communion of saints,
          the forgiveness of sins,
          the resurrection of the body,
          and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Commitment

The presider addresses the candidates and (for children), the parents and godparents.

NN, you have declared your faith in God.
We believe God is calling NN into the church.

The presider asks each candidate,

Do you desire to be baptised?
Each one replies,
I hear God’s call and ask for baptism.

For children, the presider asks the parents and godparents,

Do you desire N to be baptised?
They reply,
I hear God’s call and ask for baptism.

The presider says to the candidates, and (for children), to the parents and godparents,
Do you renounce all evil influences and powers that rebel against God?

The candidates and parents and godparents reply,
I renounce all evil.

The presider says,
Do you trust in Christ’s victory which brings forgiveness, freedom and life?

The candidates and parents and godparents reply,
In faith I turn to Christ my way, my truth, my life.

If children are being baptised, the presider asks the parent(s) and godparents,

How then will you care for this child?

The parent(s) and godparents reply together

I will love this child and share my faith with her/him.

The presider addresses the congregation,
People of God, will you do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
We will, with God’s help.

This following Commitment may be used or omitted. All present (and standing) may join the candidate(s) and parent(s) and godparent(s) in the responses.

Presider Those who are baptised are called to worship and serve God. From the beginning, believers have continued in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.

Will you commit yourself to this life?
Candidate(s)/All   I will, with God’s help.

Presider     Will you forgive others, as you are forgiven?
Candidate(s)/All   I will, with God’s help.

Presider     Will you seek to love your neighbour as yourself, and strive for peace and justice?
Candidate(s)/All   I will, with God’s help.

Presider     Will you accept the cost of following Jesus Christ in your daily life and work?
Candidate(s)/All   I will, with God’s help.

Presider     With the whole Church will you proclaim by word and action the Good News of God in Christ?
Candidate(s)/All   I will, with God’s help.

Thanksgiving over the Water

The presider stands by the water for baptism, and says

Let us give thanks to God.
People:  It is right to offer thanks and praise

We thank you God for your love in all creation, especially for your gift of water to sustain, refresh and cleanse all life.

We thank you for your covenant with your people Israel, through the Red Sea waters you led them to freedom in the promised land. In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptised by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.

Through the deep waters of death Jesus fulfilled his baptism. He died to set us free and was raised to be exalted Lord of all.

We thank you that through the waters of baptism you cleanse us, renew us by your Spirit and raise us to new life.

In the new covenant we are made members of your Church and share in your eternal kingdom.

Through your Holy Spirit fulfill once more your promises in this water of rebirth, set apart in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, now and for ever.

Amen

The presider baptises each candidate for baptism, either by immersion in the water, or by pouring water on the candidate, saying
[Name], I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.	[Ingoa], he iri-iri tenei naku i a koe, i runga i te ingoa of te Matua, te Tama, me te Wairua Tapu.
Amen.	Amine.

The presider makes the sign of the cross on each of the baptised, saying

We sign you with the cross, the sign of Christ.

Ka tohia koe ki te ripeka a te Karaiti.

A lighted candle may be given by a representative of the congregation, who says,

Walk in the faith of Christ crucified and risen. Shine with the light of Christ.

Takahia te ara, i roto i te whakapono o te Karaiti i ripekatia nei, i ara ake i te mate. Tiaho i roto i te maramatanga o te Karaiti.

Let us welcome [Names] the newly baptised
God receives you by baptism into the Church. Child of God, blessed in the Spirit, welcome to the family of Christ.	Kua tohia koe e te Atua, ki roto i tana kahui he tamaiti mana, i roto i te Wairua. Nau mai, haere mai, ki te whenua a te Ariki.

 

The Peace

The service may continue at The Peace in a Eucharistic Liturgy. If the service is not a Eucharist, it continues, or has a suitable conclusion.