Lesson 35 We are Baptized in Christ

Lesson 35 We are Baptized in Christ Wondering and Learning Baptisms in the church are often done in early Epiphany, around the time when we celebrate the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ on the First Sunday after the Epiphany. Jesus himself was baptized by John the Baptist. In his last words to his disciples before his ascension into heaven, he commissions his disciples us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). What does this mean and how is the sacrament of Holy Baptism practiced now in our church? Where You ll Find Today s Theme In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. The story: Mark 1:9-11 (the Baptism of Jesus) Other passages: Matthew 28:16-20 (the Great Commission) In the Book of Common Prayer Holy Baptism, pp. 298-314 Catechism, pp. 858-859 Key Concept The Rite of Baptism: what it does and means for us

2 Lesson 35 We are Baptized in Christ Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Growing in Faith Baptism is not just a rite that is performed once for us and then finished. The effects of Baptism continue throughout our lives, even though we might temporarily forget or have been too young to remember that our Baptism happened. Baptism plants a seed the Holy Spirit, which is invoked and conferred upon us at the Rite of Baptism and which continues to work in us long after the event, increasing our spirituality and deepening our lives in Christ, in the world. In the Episcopal Church, people may be baptized as infants, children or adults. As the Prayer Book says on page 298, Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble. This means that when someone is baptized, he or she is a full member of the Church. As we grow in years and faith, we gradually learn what this means. There are important themes associated with the Rite of Baptism. Here is what our Baptism does for us: Baptism unites us with Jesus Christ: In Baptism we share in Christ s death and resurrection. Baptism brings us into the community of the Church, the Body of Christ: Baptism is the act of receiving us into the Church as full members of the Body of Christ. Baptism gives us new birth: We are reborn as new people through the water of rebirth and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Baptism cleanses our sins: The cleansing action of water gives us one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, as stated in Nicene Creed. Baptism brings the Holy Spirit into our lives: The Holy Spirit is at work in our Baptism. In the sacrament, the priest asks for the coming of the Spirit and, following ancient tradition, the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit: Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works (BCP, p. 308). Through Baptism, our spiritual life is irrevocably changed, not only in our relationship with God through the sense of God s presence in our life, but also in our relationship with the world in which we live and how we express God s presence in the world. Our commitment to a baptismal life is deepened every time we witness another Baptism and hear the words of the rite and renew our own baptismal vows. Every Baptism that we attend, every Baptismal Covenant that we repeat, every baptismal prayer that we hear reminds us of our commitment to life in Christ that we made in our own Baptism. Here are two of the ways in which our Baptism shapes our spiritual life. Our Place in the Household of God Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble (BCP, p. 298). A baptized life is a life belonging irrevocably and unconditionally to God. We cannot help but be shaped by the awareness of this total commitment by God to us. Baptism is our initiation into the household of God ; thereafter we are never cast out, never ejected from God s presence. We may choose to renounce our commitment, but to God we are forever God s. In a lifelong process of growing awareness, we begin to live our daily lives with the assurance that comes with knowing that we belong to God. Our Place in the Communion of Saints We receive you into the household of God (BCP, p. 308). Just as Baptism brings us into full communion with God, it also brings us fully into the community of the Church, the Body of Christ. At the Great Vigil of Easter, the record of God s saving deeds in history, how he saved his people in ages

3 Lesson 35 We are Baptized in Christ Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 past (BCP, p. 288) is told through various stories from Holy Scripture. And then, right after these stories about the people of God, there comes the renewal of baptismal vows by church members and then the Rite of Holy Baptism for candidates. It is no accident that our story is tacked onto the end of God s story as told in the scripture, for through Baptism we take our place within the communion of God s saints. In Baptism, God s story becomes our story, and our story becomes part of God s story, the story of the world s salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ. We become connected to the past generations of God s people, and then we stand in community to welcome those in present and future generations into the one body of Christ s community. The baptized life is a life in the world, but not of the world (cf. John 17). We promise in our Baptismal Covenant to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being (BCP, p. 305). Our life as Christians must include not only a sense of the presence of God but also our response to God s presence in us. Our response to God always involves the way in which we relate to others in the world and the ways in which we live out the mission and ministry to which God in Christ calls us. Baptism calls us not only to personal sanctification but also to the realization of God s will in our lives as we further the reign of God by joyful and grateful obedience of God s call to compassion, empathy, welcome, justice, mercy, forgiveness and peace. The Episcopal Thread Holy Baptism is one of the two great sacraments of the gospel, given by Christ to his Church. So, in the Episcopal Church, it is central to our faith and our tradition. The Catechism on pages 858-859 in the Prayer Book tells about Baptism in the Episcopal Church, while the Rite of Holy Baptism begins on page 299. Because it is such a principal sacrament, Holy Baptism is generally performed on a Sunday in a public celebration rather than a private service. Since it is the beginning of a new life in Christ, Baptism is a joyous celebration of the whole congregation. Once baptized, one becomes a full member of Christ s Body the Church. We talk about baptismal ministry, that our ministry in the church and world is rooted in our Baptism and the promises that we make in Baptism. Gathering Check-In Invite group members to sit comfortably, giving them an opportunity to visit with each other, establish friendships and build community. Relationships are an important dimension of Christian formation, so a few minutes of visiting will enrich their spiritual development. This is also the perfect time to check in with your group members by asking them to share how they are feeling at the time or what kind of a week they had.

4 Lesson 35 We are Baptized in Christ Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 matches cross Prayer Materials: small table with cloth to cover it taper or pillar candle After all group members have a few minutes of fellowship time, gather them together for a simple opening prayer. Ask one of the members to light the candle while saying these words from Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Explain that you are inviting the light of God to be with all of you. (You might consider posting this verse from Psalm 119 in the meeting room). Invite the member who lit the candle to read this prayer: O God, how wonderful is your love for us that, as baptized members of your kingdom, we are yours forever. We take strength in knowing that, even in the midst of our doubts and fears, you will always stand with us. We pray that we will always be worthy of your love and constancy. Amen. Carefully extinguish the candle. Telling the Story, exploring the theme Set the scene: With the rector s permission, display some of the items used for a Baptism: holy water, chrism, towel, candle, shell, etc. There is a good chance that some or all of the group members have never seen these items before. Perhaps the best way to begin a lesson on Baptism is to summarize the acts in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, found in the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 299. This is a good lesson in which to have the youth participate in the storytelling. Invite them to share their experiences with Baptism, either their own or others in the church. You might gather around the baptismal font and have them tell their stories there. If possible, ask them ahead of time, to bring in photos from their Baptisms. Note: Probably all, or nearly all, youth in church school have been baptized. However, you will need to be respectful of those who have not yet been baptized. Adolescents are interested in the act of Baptism in the church worship service and enjoy being invited up to view the rite. You may want to point out that: The Rite of Holy Baptism is one of the two principal sacraments of the Church, the other being the Rite of Holy Eucharist. The liturgical color for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is white. In Baptism, we come into new birth in Christ, so the color for Baptism is the color white of Easter, the resurrection color for the Church. Then further explain: When we baptize: Baptisms may be performed at any time, but the Episcopal Church recommends certain times when it is especially appropriate: on the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord (the first Sunday after the Epiphany), on Easter or at the Great Vigil of Easter, on the Day of Pentecost and All Saints Sunday. In cases of emergency, the priest or anyone else may perform an emergency Baptism. This is noted in the Prayer Book on pages 313-314. Who is part of the Baptism: The Church encourages Baptisms to be performed in the company of the whole congregation, not as a private act, because Baptism brings the newly baptized person into the whole household of God, the Body of Christ to which all of the baptized belong. Who is baptized: In the Episcopal Church, Baptism may be performed on infants and children and on

5 Lesson 35 We are Baptized in Christ Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 adults. No matter what age, Baptism means full initiation into the church of God. Some churches baptize only adults. Who is offered Communion: Communion may be given to anyone who has been baptized, including infants and those who have been baptized in another Christian church or denomination. We are only baptized once, as Christians, not as Episcopalians or Lutherans or Presbyterians. Activities for This Week s Session Youth may express concern about friends or relatives who have not been baptized. You may reassure them that though we say that Baptism gives entrance into the household of God, it does not mean we pass judgment about those who have not been baptized. Baptism has a positive effect on the baptized, but does not say anything about those not baptized. The youth may have questions about the meaning of Baptism. If you cannot answer a question, take note of the question and ask a member of the clergy later. Remember, we are all journeying together! Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc. Select one or more activities to supplement and enhance today s story. For each lesson, there are five suggested activities, one from each of the REACT categories. For a detailed explanation of REACT, see page 10 of the Introduction. All activities are meant to reinforce the concepts that were central to the day s lesson. Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 2-6 in the Appendix where we ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.

6 Lesson 35 We are Baptized in Christ Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Weaving Our Faith Lesson Box Materials: 1 3" x 5" index card for the day s scribe pen or pencil a file box in which to store the cards Ask for a volunteer or assign a group member to act as scribe. Then, ask the group to articulate the most important lesson gleaned from the day s reading. As a prompt, you might ask: How are we different once we are baptized? Is there an advantage of being baptized at an older age? What did you learn about Baptism that you did not know before? Once the group has agreed on its wording, ask the scribe to write the lesson on the card, date it and file it in the box. By the end of the year, you will have a wonderful and thorough summation of the lessons covered in the participant s own words. Closing PRAYER Before the group leaves, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with God s love and blessing. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: Thank you, God, for the gift of water and for the gift of Baptism that brings us into your household and tells us that we belong to you. Send us now back to our families to tell about your love for us. This we ask in the name of your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. End the lesson with a dismissal that is used in church, such as: The peace of the Lord be always with you. The participants respond: And also with you.

BAPTISM: WHAT DO YOU KNOW? Participants explore their knowledge of the sacrament of Baptism and review the baptismal covenant. Materials: copies of the What Do You Know? worksheet (p. 8), 1 per participant the Answer Key (see below) pens or pencils copies of the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Preparation: Make copies of the What Do You Know? worksheet (p. 8). Make sure you have enough copies of the Book of Common Prayer for each member of the group. Directions: 1. Explain to the group that they will be filling in a handout to see how much they know about the sacrament of Baptism. They may work individually or in pairs. 2 Remind members that most or all of them were infants when they were baptized and cannot be expected to remember the rite! However, they should have learned the basics of the sacrament during their time in Sunday school. 3. Hand out the worksheet and pens or pencils. 4. Give group members about 10 minutes to complete the worksheet. 5. Then, review the answers with them. Answer Key 1. Father, Son, Holy Spirit 2. font 3. John the Baptist 4. candle 5. godparents or sponsors 6. bishop 7. chrism 8. sins 9. False 10. False 11. True 12. True 13. True 14. False (the correct answer is 6) 7 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

WHAT DO YOU KNOW? Fill in the blanks for questions 1-8. Don t worry, this is not a test! 1. I baptize you in the name of the, and of the, and of the. 2. The basin (usually made of stone) that holds the water is called a. 3. baptized Jesus. 4. A is the symbol of God s light and is given as a gift to the baptized person or the parents. 5. The or the stand in and say the prayers in place of the infant. 6. Usually, a either a priest or a performs a Baptism. 7. The oil that is used to anoint the person s forehead is called. 8. Water is a symbol of the washing away of. 8 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued

Mark 9-14 either T (for True) or F (for False). 9. Only children can be baptized. 10. All Baptisms must take place in a church. 11. We are adopted by God through the sacrament of Baptism. 12. If a person was baptized in another faith/church, he/she does not have to be baptized again to be a member of the Episcopal church. 13. When a Baptism is held during a service, the entire congregation pledges their support. 14. Baptism involves making 5 promises. And just one more: Is there anything else you know or would like to know about Baptism? If so, write it below: 9 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued

PRACTICING OUR FAITH BY PRACTICING BAPTISM This is a great activity for children of all ages. Team up with other group leaders for a simulated Baptism. Materials: copies of the Book of Common Prayer copies of The Hymnal 1982 (New York: Church Publishing, 1985) copies of Wonder, Love, and Praise (New York: The Church Pension Fund, Church Publishing, 1997) baby doll optional: video or digital camera Preparation: Arrange with your priest or a deacon to demonstrate a Baptism for the group. Select a hymn for the group to sing after the Baptism. Possibilities include #767 from Wonder, Love, and Praise or any of the hymns on pages 294-300 in The Hymnal 1982. Invite the organist or pianist to play one hymn for you after the demonstration. Directions: 1. Ask volunteers in your group to act as parents, godparents and/or sponsors for the purposes of the demonstration. 2. Ask one or more to record or take pictures of the Baptism for review later. 3. When the Baptism is finished, sing one or two verses of the hymn you ve chosen. 4. If younger children take part in the activity, you might want to sing a simpler song like He s Got the Whole World in His Hands. 10 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

FYI CARDS: ALL ABOUT BAPTISM Group members design and print Q & A cards that answer common questions about Baptism. These will be given to anyone desiring to be baptized and to the families of infants about to be baptized. Materials: scissors and paper cutter (if available) laminating sheets (peel and stick, unless you have access to a laminating machine) hole punch satin ribbon ruler copies of the Book of Common Prayer optional: computer with printer (If not available, perhaps the church secretary or a group member can print the cards.) glue sticks Preparation: Ask the rector to join your group to talk about what people need to know about Baptism. What are the most important facts they need? What are the most common questions they ask? Make sure to cover such topics as: Who can be baptized? When can a person be baptized? What is the role of the godparents? Do we need to belong to a church to be baptized? What is the meaning of Baptism? Make note of the facts and the questions (and their answers, of course!). Directions: 1. Keep in mind that each card will be the size of half a sheet of card stock (4.25" x 11"), so you will need to organize the facts well and keep the information and answers short. 2. To make the cards look nice, think about adding borders or some simple clip art. At the bottom of each card, you might also write the name of your church. 3. The design of the cards is up to the group, but one suggestion is to list the important facts on the front of each card and the common questions and their answers on the back. We suggest you type the information on one sheet of paper (in two identical columns) and the Q & A on another sheet. Print these on the card stock or on regular paper to be cut and glued to the card stock. 11 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

4. Cut both lists/cards to the same size and glue together. 5. Laminate the cards. 6. Punch a hole an inch from the top in the center of each card. 7. Tie an 8"-10" satin ribbon to each card. Close: Give the cards to the rector to be given to all prospective baptismal candidates (or their parents). 12 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued

BAPTISMAL BANNER Group members design and make a banner to be displayed near the baptismal font. Materials: Ask church members who sew to donate the following supplies: large piece of solid fabric, white or off white, cut to 3' x 4' felt squares or additional fabric for making letters, assorted solids colors optional: iron-on transfer letters (found in craft stores) fabric glue scissors made for cutting fabric (not children s craft scissors) iron and ironing board thread and needle safety pins (medium to large) sturdy dowels, one cut to 4', the other to 5' 3" or 4" stencils optional: tassels, fringe, cording, etc. Directions: 1. Tell the group to decide what they want the banner to say. It could be a short prayer or saying related to the sacrament of Baptism. See pages 299-314 in the Book of Common Prayer. Or, read through some of the psalms, review some of the readings you ve done in the lesson, or write some of your own. Make sure to check with the rector that they are appropriate to Baptism. 2. Fold over the top of the banner fabric so you end up with a 2"-3" hem. 3. Glue or sew it down. This is where the dowel will go. 4. Make a smaller hem at the bottom and on the sides if desired. 5. Draw and cut out all of the necessary letters. 6. Arrange them on the fabric before you glue them to make sure they all fit. 7. Glue the letters on to the banner. 8. Slide the longer dowel into place at the top of the banner. Slide the shorter dowel into the pocket at the bottom of the banner. Close: Arrange with the priest to have two of the group members carry the banner in a procession of a service when a Baptism will take place. From then on, the banner can be hung above or near the baptismal font. 13 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

MAKING BAPTISMAL CANDLES AND SHELLS Group members decorate candles and shells to be used and then given as gifts at Baptisms. Materials: white candles, at least 10" in length white pillar candles, at least 10" in length plastic knives; matting knives small smooth pebbles small-medium seashells sheets of decorating wax or beeswax (Go to www.lonestarcandlesupply.com, www.hearthsong.com or www. atoygarden.com.) optional: wax decorating pens or paint pens large scallop-shaped shells (can be bought at craft stores) glass beads and other embellishments for the shells permanent, medium-point markers glue gun with glue sticks (Remember, these get very hot!) sheets of tissue paper (White, yellow, blue, pink and green pastels are best.) ribbon in assorted pastel colors copies of the candle designs (p. 16), 1 per participant Preparation: If your church school does not stock sheets of decorating wax, you can order it from one of the websites above. It is very easy to work with, comes in a variety of colors, and can be removed and used again. Allow at least two weeks for an order. Group members can choose to decorate candles or embellish seashells to be given as gifts to the parents of newly baptized infants or to any other person being baptized. Directions for Candles: 1. Group members may choose from the suggested designs or may come up with designs of their own that are related to Baptism. 2. The decorating wax can be easily cut and placed directly onto the candle. Do not use glue. 3. The wax sticks best if the candle and the wax sheets are at room temperature. 4. Once finished, wrap a candle in a sheet of tissue paper and tie it with ribbon. 14 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 craft

Directions for Shells: 1. If one of the youths has excellent handwriting and a steady hand, he/she may choose to write a brief message inside the shell. For example, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. It would be best to try this with a pencil first; once ink is used, there s no turning back! 2. Use small stones, shells and beads to embellish the outside edge of the shell. Hot glue works well for attaching these items. 3. Once each shell is completed, wrap it in tissue paper and tie it with some ribbon. Close: Give the gifts to the rector so they can be given out whenever there is a Baptism at your church. 15 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 craft continued

16 LESSON 35 WE ARE BAPTIZED IN CHRIST Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 craft continued