Worship resources that support the life of the baptized
Evangelical Lutheran Worship
By God’s gift and call, all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus are daily put to death so that we might be raised daily to newness of life.
- Martin Luther
Those who are baptized live in the reality that they are reborn children of God and at the same time subject to the brokenness of sin. Throughout life, in one’s return to baptism within the community of faith, God turns the baptized from the ways of sin and raises the baptized to new life in Christ. A regular return to baptism is practiced in a variety of ways: confession and forgiveness, attending to the word of God, sharing in the eucharistic meal, daily prayer and the sign of the cross, the use of the catechism, the profession of the creed, and services that affirm and celebrate baptismal promises.
The following services and resources that support the lives of the baptized are found in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship family of resources and can be downloaded electronically on sundaysandseasons.com.
Holy Baptism
Pew edition, page 227
Leaders edition, page 583
Thanksgiving for Baptism (to begin a service of Holy Communion)
Pew edition, pages 97 or 119
Holy Baptism in Extraordinary Circumstances and
Public Recognition of Baptism in Extraordinary Circumstances
Pastoral Care, page 115.
Welcome to Baptism
Pew edition, page 232
Expanded in Leaders’ Edition, page 592
Welcome to Baptism provides a way for the worshiping assembly to recognize and publicly support those who are preparing for baptism and their families. Expanded resources which include the presentation of a Bible, blessing, and signing with the cross on various parts of the body are patterned on age-old catechumenate rites and are provided in the Leader’s Edition.
Affirmation of Baptism
Pew edition, page 234
Pastoral Care, page 141
Affirmation of baptism expresses baptism’s significance for the whole of the Christian life. Services for the affirmation of baptism enable the whole assembly to remember and be renewed in the gift of baptism, especially when celebrated at significant moments during the church year (such as the Vigil of Easter) or in connection with a congregational milestone. Affirmation of baptism may occur at significant points in the life of a baptized Christian, such as reception or restoration into membership of a congregation, or in connection with times of life passage and transition, such as youth confirmation, moving from the parental home, or retirement.
Anniversary of a Baptism
Pastoral Care 128
Families, Sunday School classes, and other groups within the congregation can celebrate the anniversary of a baptism with a short service that includes readings, prayers, and a recalling of the story of one’s baptism.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
Pastoral Care, page 128
A service of Holy Communion may begin with Thanksgiving for Baptism, especially on days and seasons of the church year that celebrate the gift of Christ’s resurrection known in baptism: The Baptism of Our Lord, Easter Vigil, the season of Easter. Additionally, the service of Thanksgiving for Baptism in Pastoral Care is a stand-alone service that may be observed at the beginning of meetings or in retreat settings.
Individual Confession and Forgiveness
Pew edition, page 243
Pastoral Care, page 150
Corporate Confession and Forgiveness
Pew edition, page 238
Confession and Forgiveness is grounded in the promises of baptism. These rites are more extensive than the order for confession and forgiveness that may begin the service of Holy Communion. Consider using Corporate Confession and Forgiveness after a time of civic tragedy or congregational conflict.
Affirmation of Christian Vocation
Pew edition, page 84
All aspects of life are places where God’s voice calls (vocat) the people of God to carry out their vocation, their calling which is more than an occupational choice. Christian vocation embraces the whole of life. Home and school, leisure and work, congregation and community, nation and world, citizenship and relationship, all belong to God and are places where the baptized carry out the commission to proclaim Christ, serve others, and strive for justice and peace. Affirmation of Christian Vocation recognizes and affirms Christian vocation and can be used in a variety of ways. Consider affirming the vocation of children as students at the beginning of the school year or affirming the vocation of health-care providers near the festival of St. Luke, October 18.
Related readings and Prayers
Pastoral Care, beginning on page 153
A variety of readings, prayers, and other resources are available to support ministries that celebrate the promise of baptism in various circumstances. These resources support: preparing for baptism, preparing for baptism of infants or young children, litany in preparation for baptism, acclamations and blessings, signing with the cross in preparation for baptism, sponsors, thanksgiving for baptism