1. WELCOME

The minister welcomes the family and their friends and explains the purpose of a Public Naming with Thanksgiving to God.

2. OPENING PRAYER

The minister and congregation prays this prayer together.

God our heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of families and the natural ties of love and affection that are part of your creation. We thank you for the gift of parenthood and the joys of bringing children into your world. Enable N & N to bring their children up in the care and security of a loving home. Keep them safe from the evils of this world, that their children might grow strong in their knowledge of you and of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

3. BIBLE READINGS

The minister, or another member of the congregation, reads the following two readings, or other suitable readings from the Old and New Testaments.

PSALM 127

Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labour in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

It is in vain you rise up early

and then stay up so late,

toiling for food to eat -

for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Children are a heritage from the Lord,

and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are the children of one's youth.

Happy are they who have their quiver full of them:

they will not be put to shame

when confronting their enemies at the gate.

MARK 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

4. ADDRESS

The minister explains one of the Bible readings.

5. THE NAMING AND BLESSING

The minister addresses the congregation.

N & N wish to give thanks to God for the birth of their son/daughter. They invite us to pray with them for Godís blessing on their child. Let us pray.

God our heavenly Father,

we thank you for the gift of life and for the wonder of creation.

We also thank you for the privilege of parenthood

and the birth of (Name). May he/she grow up in health and safety;

may he/she develop a true sense of justice and righteousness;

and may he/she grow in wisdom and compassion.

In your grace, may he/she come to know the fullness of your love,

through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

The minister addresses the parents

What name do you give to this child?

We name him/her (Name)

Do you seek God's blessing upon (Name)

as you bring him/her up as a citizen in God's world?

We do.

The minister addresses the sponsors

Will you support (Name)'s parents as they bring him/her up as a citizen in God's world?

 

We shall.

The minister takes the child in his/her arms and pronounces the following blessing.

(Name), may God bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you.

May God look upon you with favour

and grant you his peace.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

6. PRAYERS

The minister offers prayer for the parents and sponsors, for the work of hospitals, schools and the local community, concluding with the Lord's Prayer, which may be said by all.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your Name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and forever. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Notes

1. This service is not a replacement for baptism. It may be used by parents who intend to have their children baptised at a later point in time, or it may be used by parents who at the time of application do not intend to proceed with baptism for their child.
2. Parents may choose people, known as sponsors or godparents, to stand with them and encourage them in their role as parents.
3. This service may be used as part of Morning or Evening services, or it may be used as a service on its own.
4. In certain pastoral situations the service may be used at locations other than a church, for example, a frail or sick child may require the service to be conducted in a hospital or private home.

This service has been authorised by the Archbishop of Sydney under section 4 of the Constitution for use in the parish of St Luke Miranda until Easter 1998. The service has been forwarded to the Doctrine Commission for their comment. If a Parish wishes to use this service they should make application to the Archbishop of Sydney under the terms of Section 4 of the Constitution.

 

 

Document added 09 October 1997.

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