This sermon is provided for ideas. While you’re welcome to use what’s helpful, please do so remembering that the Lord called you to serve your people where they are.
For several decades, variations on a portion of the French Reformed Church baptismal liturgy have been used in PC(USA) congregations. When infants are baptized, the minister addresses the child directly, proclaiming the sure promise of God. The Office of Theology and Worship provides these examples, noting that no single set of words is "right." Pastoral judgment may lead to particular variations.
Whatever words are used, the pastor should address the child directly, and should strive to speak rather than read.
Related pages:
A service for Baptism of the Lord Sunday with a renewal of baptismal vows and holy communion.
These Calls to Confession and Declarations of Forgiveness are designed to be spoken at the baptismal font. The baptismal font should be open and in full view of the congregation. The font may already contain water, provided that there is sufficient room to add an ample amount of water at the Declaration of Forgiveness. All of the texts are drawn from the scriptures of the Revised Common Lectionary for the season of Lent, Year C.
Excerpted from The Service for the Lord’s Day: Supplemental Liturgical Resources.
See related pages: Service for the Lord’s Day, Presbyterian Worship
Preparing for worship is like making space for God. When we offer hospitality to people, there is some preparation necessary on our part. We must see to it that there’s food in the house, we clean the house and get a sleeping place ready. We make sure there are clean towels and perhaps snip a few flowers from the garden to place on a bedside table to say welcome.
When we prepare to go to the place of worship, we, too, need to prepare our hearts for divine visitation. We need to make space in our lives by making sure …
The premier way in which spiritual renewal occurs is through diligent prayer. Before all else, pray, pray, pray and keep on praying!
These suggestions are for prayer preparation teams planning a solemn assembly.
A communion liturgy for domestic violence awareness for use on World Communion Sunday or during a service of remembrance and healing.
A service of remembrance: where healing begins for victims of domestic violence.