Weddings | Funerals | Baptisms | Word from Wormingford

Can be different for each Category - such as LH or WF or MB - see their pages. Currently nothing appears there. This text should be fairly fixed as it's hard coded into the page, and cannot be edited in the admin area.

Baptisms

Christian Baptism

The vicar is willing to baptise children under the age of eight who live in the villages of Wormingford, Mt Bures or Little Horkesley after the family has attended at least two Family Services. If you do not live in Wormingford, Mt Bures or Little Horkesley, please speak to the vicar to see if a baptism can be arranged.

For children over eight and adults who wish to be baptised, preparation is required and the Vicar will hold preparation classes during the winter from the beginning of Advent to Easter. Please let the vicar know if you would like to join these preparation classes. An application form is printed at the end of this article.

The following notes should help you

God bless you in your task

The Rev’d Henry Heath

(Priest in Charge of Wormingford & Mt Bures w Lt Horkesley)

Wormingford Vicarage, Essex 01787-227398 vicar@wormingford.com

At the Baptism service, you must be prepared to answer these questions……

Rejecting evil and turning to Christ

Vicar: In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his own

marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. So I ask parents and Godparents:

Vicar: Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

You: I reject them.

Vicar: Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?

You: I renounce them.

Vicar: Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?

You: I repent of them.

Vicar: Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?

You: I turn to Christ.

Vicar: Do you submit to Christ as Lord?

You: I submit to Christ.

Vicar: Do you come to Christ who is the way, the truth and the life?

You: I come to Christ.

Declaring our Faith

Vicar: Do you believe and trust in God the Father, the source of all being and life; the one for whom we exist?

You: I believe and trust in him

Vicar: Do you believe and trust in God the Son who took our human nature, died for us and rose again?

You: I believe and trust in him

Vicar: Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit who gives life to the people of God makes Christ known in the world?

You: I believe and trust in him

Vicar: This is the faith of the Church

You: This is our faith. We believe and trust in one God

Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Prayers for a Baptised Child

Please use one of these prayers every day….

Lord, I thank you that My child have been made members of your church by baptism and pray that they may grow in the Christian faith all the days of their lives. Amen

Heavenly Father and giver of all grace, bless My child who, in baptism, have received the seal of the new covenant and been made heirs of your heavenly kingdom; that through the prayers, the teaching, and the example of those who love and care for them they may grow up in the faith of Christ crucified and in the fellowship of his Church, to serve you faithfully all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Lord Jesus Christ, because you welcomed the little ones who were brought to you, we pray for My child who have been added to the fellowship of your Church. Guard them in health and strength as they grow up; help us to trust you and to make our home your dwelling; and use the children’s work of our Parish Church to nourish their faith in you; for the glory of your saving name. Amen

Heavenly Father, so guide the hearts and minds of my children, My child, that they may, before the Bishop at Confirmation, come to confirm the promises and statements of faith I have made on their behalf. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Your example

You should live according to the laws of God (o) and the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ (þ))

I am the Lord your God: you shall have no other gods but me.

þ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

You shall not make for yourself any idol.

þ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit

and in truth

You shall not dishonour the name of the Lord your God.

þ You shall worship him with awe and reverence.

Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

þ Christ is risen from the dead: set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

Honour your father and mother.

þ Live as servants of God; let us work for the good of all, especially members of the household of faith.

You shall not commit murder.

þ Live peaceably with all; overcome evil with good.

You shall not commit adultery.

þ Know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

You shall not steal.

þ Be honest in all that you do, and care for those in need.

You shall not be a false witness.

þ Let everyone speak the truth.

You shall not covet anything which belongs to your neighbour.

þ Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive. Love your neighbour as yourself, for love is the fulfilling of the law.

The Christian responsibilities of Parents who have their children baptised are to:

make the promise to reject evil and turn to Christ together with a declaration of faith on behalf of the children at their baptism
pray for them regularly
set them an example of Christian living
help them to grow in the faith of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in which they were baptized
take them regularly to Family Services
give them every encouragement to follow Christ and to fight against evil
help them to look forward to their confirmation

If you have been confirmed yourself, you are an ideal parent to encourage your child to come to confirmation in due course. If you have not, what better way to encourage him or her than by being confirmed yourself

Application form

APPLICATION FOR BAPTISM

at WORMINGFORD with Mt BURES and Lt HORKESLEY

A child under the age of 8 may be baptised without preparation but a child/candidate over the age of 8 can speak for	Christian name(s) and surname of child/candidate
himself/herself and to enable him/her to understand the implications a course of preparation is desirable	Date of birth of child/candidate
Parents must ask themselves the following questions: Are you prepared, to the best of your ability, to give the child a Christian upbringing within the family of Christ’s Church	Full Christian name(s) and surname(s) and occupation of father Has the father been Has the father been baptised Yes/No confirmed Yes/No
Will you help the child to be regular in public worship as well as private prayer by your teaching, your example and your prayers Will you encourage the child to come to Confirmation and Communion in due time	Full Christian name(s) and surname(s) and occupation of mother Has the mother been Has the mother been baptised Yes/No confirmed Yes/No
*If you live in the parish you must attend at least two family services prior to the baptism* *If you do NOT live in the parish you must attend services at the church at which the baptism is to take place regularly during the six months prior to the baptism*	Address
	Telephone number
	E-mail address
It is usual for a child/candidate to have three Godparents (2 of the same sex and one of the opposite sex) all of whom MUST* have been baptised and all of whom should be confirmed*	Name and address of Godparent Has the Godparent been Has the Godparent been baptised Yes/No confirmed Yes/No
Godparents should ask themselves if they are able to assist the parents with the issues raised in the questions listed above in the section for parents details	Name and address of Godparent Has the Godparent been Has the Godparent been baptised Yes/No confirmed Yes/No
Sponsors in addition to God-parents are permitted	Name and address of Godparent Has the Godparent been Has the Godparent been baptised Yes/No confirmed Yes/No
Name and age of brothers/sisters
Baptisms usually take place at Mount Bures at 9:15 a.m. on 1^st Sunday of the month Wormingford at 11:00 a.m. on 1^st Sunday of the month Little Horkesley at 11:00 a.m. on 2^nd Sunday of the month	Where and when would you like the baptism to take place