Thursday - 5/16
ST. LUKE’S
Everyone was now gathered in the sanctuary and took their seats. The congregation sung a hymn (
CLICK HERE to listen to it). As they did, Father James walked to the front of the church, followed by Eric, Chelsea (carrying Georgia) and Max, and Stephanie and Chad. When the hymn was over, Father James turned to the congregation.
JAMES: Welcome. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
CONGREGATION: Amen.
JAMES: We are gathered today to celebrate with Chelsea and Max Brady, and share in the joy with which they have welcomed a child as a gift of God, the source of life, who now wishes to bestow His life on their little one. Chelsea and Max are joined in this celebration with the child’s godparents: Stephanie Johnson and Chad DiMera.
Father James turned to Chelsea and Max.
JAMES: What name have you given this child?
CHELSEA & MAX: Georgia Caroline Brady.
JAMES: And what do you ask of God’s Church for Georgia Caroline?
CHELSEA & MAX: We ask for baptism.
JAMES: Max, Chelsea, you have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training her in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring her up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?
CHELSEA & MAX: We do.
Next, Father James turned to Stephanie and Chad.
JAMES: Chad, Stephanie, are you ready to help the parents of this child in their duty as Christian parents?
CHAD & STEPHANIE: We are.
Chelsea handed Georgia over to Father James.
JAMES: Georgia Caroline, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name I claim you for Christ our Savior by the sign of His cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead, and invite your parents and godparents to do the same.
Father James made the sign of the cross on Georgia’s forehead, then had Chelsea, Max, Stephanie and Chad do so, as well. After this, Father James handed Georgia back to Chelsea.
JAMES: And now, please stand as you are able for the Word of the Lord.
Everyone stood as Eric walked to the pulpit.
ERIC: The Holy Gospel According to St. Mark, the first chapter, beginning at the ninth verse. St. Mark writes, “At this time, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. The moment he came out of the water, he saw the sky split open and God’s Spirit, looking like a dove, come down on him. Along with the Spirit, a voice: “You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, pride of my life”.” Word of God, Word of life.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
JAMES: Please be seated.
Everyone, except those in the baptismal party, sat down.
JAMES: My dear brothers and sisters, let us ask our Lord Jesus Christ to look lovingly on this child who is to be baptized, on her parents and godparents, and on all the baptized. Lord, by the mystery of Your death and resurrection, bathe this child in light, give her the new life of baptism and welcome her into Your holy Church. Through baptism and confirmation, make her your faithful follower and a witness to your gospel. Lead her by a holy life to the joys of God's kingdom. Make the lives of her parents and godparents examples of faith to inspire this child. Keep her family always in your love. Renew the grace of our baptism in each one of us.
ALL: Lord, hear our prayer.
JAMES: Holy Mary, Mother of God, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Joseph, Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Saint Luke, and all holy men and women.
ALL: Pray for us.
JAMES: Almighty and ever-living God, You sent Your only Son into the world to cast out the power of Satan, spirit of evil, to rescue man from the kingdom of darkness, and bring him into the splendor of your kingdom of light. We pray for this child: set her free from original sin, make her a temple of your glory, and send Your Holy Spirit to dwell with her. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen.
JAMES: We anoint you with the oil of salvation in the name of Christ our Savior; may He strengthen you with His power, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
ALL: Amen.
Eric brought over a small jar of oil. Father James anointed Georgia with the oil.
JAMES: My dear brothers and sisters, we now ask God to give this child new life in abundance through water and the Holy Spirit.
Father James turned to the baptismal font.
JAMES: Father, you give us grace through sacramental signs, which tell us of the wonders of Your unseen power. In baptism we use Your gift of water, which You have made a rich symbol of the grace You give us in this sacrament. At the very dawn of creation Your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. The waters of the great flood you made a sign of the waters of baptism, that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. Through the waters of the Red Sea you led Israel out of slavery, to be an image of God's holy people, set free from sin by baptism. In the waters of the Jordan Your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water and blood should flow from his side as he hung upon the cross. After his resurrection he told his disciples: "Go out and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Father, look now with love upon your Church, and unseal for her the fountain of baptism. By the power of the Spirit give to the water of this font the grace of Your Son. You created man in Your own likeness: cleanse him from sin in a new birth to innocence by water and the Spirit.
He touched the water in the font.
JAMES: We ask You, Father, with Your Son to send the Holy Spirit upon the water of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of baptism rise also with him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen.
Father James turned to Chelsea, Max, Stephanie and Chad.
JAMES: Chelsea, Max, Stephanie and Chad, you have come here to present this child for baptism. By water and the Holy Spirit she is to receive the gift of new life from God, who is love. On your part, you must make it your constant care to bring her up in the practice of the faith. See that the divine life which God gives her is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in her heart. If your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the vows of your own baptism. Reject sin; profess your faith in Christ Jesus. This is the faith of the Church. This is the faith in which this child is about to be baptized. Do you reject Satan and all his works?
CHELSEA, MAX, STEPHANIE & CHAD: We do.
JAMES: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth? In Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? In the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?
CHELSEA, MAX, STEPHANIE & CHAD: We do.
JAMES: This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ALL: Amen.
JAMES: Is it your will that Georgia Caroline should be baptized in the faith of the Church, which we have all professed with you?
CHELSEA, MAX, STEPHANIE & CHAD: It is.
Chelsea handed Georgia to Stephanie. As he spoke, Father James poured water from the baptismal font over Georgia’s head three times.
JAMES: Georgia Caroline Brady, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Eric took a single candle from the altar and handed it to Chelsea and Max.
ERIC: Receive the light of Christ. Chelsea and Max, Chad and Stephanie, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. She is to walk always as a child of the light. May she keep the flame of faith alive in her heart. When the Lord comes, may she go out to meet Him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.
Stephanie handed Georgia to Father James. As the congregation sang a hymn (
CLICK HERE to listen to it), he walked through the sanctuary, presenting her to everyone there. By the time the hymn ended, they were back at the front with Eric, Max, Chelsea, Stephanie and Chad.
JAMES: Dearly beloved, this child has been reborn in baptism. She is now called the child of God, for so indeed she is. In confirmation she will receive the fullness of God's Spirit. In holy communion she will share the banquet of Christ's sacrifice, calling God her Father in the midst of the Church. In the name of this child, in the Spirit of our common sonship, let us pray together in the words our Lord has given us…
They said the Lord’s Prayer, then Father James handed Georgia back to Chelsea.
JAMES: May almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, bless and keep you always. Amen.
ALL: Amen.
The Melaswen Paradox will return
Wednesday, May 22nd