Gerhard Christopher von Krogh, Oberst

Church of Norway

Infant Baptism as part of the High Mass or other services.

Before the service begins, parents and godparents take their place in church, except for the person carrying the child. When the child is brought in, one other person may accompany the one who carries the child. The baptismal party may be led into church by the verger or another representative of the congregation who may carry the baptismal ewer and place it on the font. The baptismal party take their place according to local custom. While the child is brought in, suitable instrumental or vocal music may be performed. The baptismal hymn, may be sung after the child has been brought in. The baptismal head covering is removed before the child is carried to the baptismal font. During the baptism itself, only the first name of the child should be used.
The priest wears a stole of the seasonal liturgical colour. This order of baptism is also to be used when baptism takes place immediately after the service.

Entrance
{P} Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

{P} This congregation will today receive this child/these children in the House of God. Through baptism God will give him/her/them a share in His salvation and will bring him/her/them into His Christian Church.

The priest may then give a short address, and may end it with the words of John 3,16, or use this scripture reading on its own.

{P} For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3,16

Baptismal hymn

The command to baptize

{P} Let us hear the commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ about Holy Baptism: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the day. Matthew 28,18-20

Let us hear with what kindness Jesus receives the children and welcomes them into the kingdom of God: And they were bringing children to him, that he might touch them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant, and said to them, "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands upon them. Mark 10,13-16 Thus we bring our children with gratitude and faith to the Lord in Holy Baptism. They are born with the sin and guilt of humankind, but through Holy Baptism they become children of God, born again by the Holy Spirit.

The obligation of Baptism

{P} Will parents and godparents please stand.

{P} You who bring this/these child/children to Christ today, are to be witnesses that he/she/they are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Together with this congregation and the whole Church, you share in a holy responsibility: to pray for the child/children, to teach him/her/them to pray, and to help him/her/them to use the word of God and the eucharist, so that he/she/they may remain with Christ when he/she/they grows/grow up, just as he/she/they is/are united with him in Baptism. Parents and godparents remain standing.

The Renunciation and the Creed

{P} Let us renounce the devil and confess the faith into which we baptize our children.

The congregation stands.

{A} I renounce the devil and all his works and all his being.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He 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, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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.

All sit.

Baptism

The water is poured into the font.

{P} at the font: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, you have said that no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born anew by water and the Spirit: we thank you that through your word the baptismal water is a well of grace, in which we are united with you, and given a share in the victory you won by your death and resurrection. Now we come at your word, and pray: Lord, may this new birth come through your creative Spirit.

The child/children (if there are several, each child individually) is brought to the baptismal font. Parents and godparents stand.
According to custom, parents and godparents may come forward to the baptismal font.

{P} What is the name of this child?

The first name is given by the person holding the child.

{P} Is it your desire that (child's first name) shall be baptized in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and be brought up in the way of Christian renunciation and faith?
The person holding the child answers: Yes.

{P} God preserve your going out and your coming in now and for ever. I make upon you the sign of the holy cross, {+} as a testimony that you shall belong to the crucified and resurrected Jesus Christ and believe in Him.
The sign of the cross is made from the forehead to the breast and from side to side.

{P} According to the word and commandment of our Lord Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
As this is said, the priest pours water three times on the child's head.

{P} places his hand on the child's head and says:
Almighty God has now given you His Holy Spirit, made you His child, and received you into His congregation of believers. May He give you strength through His grace, until you come to everlasting life. Peace be with you.

Praise and prayer

When all have been baptized, the priest says from the lectern or another place in the chancel:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead! 1 Pet 1,3

{P} Let us pray the Lord's prayer together.
{A} 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.

Hymn

When the Eucharist follows, this will be the hymn before the Eucharist. When there is no Eucharist, this will be the final hymn.