Confirmation Service

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PREPARATION

At the entry of the ministers, a hymn may be sung.

THE GREETING

The bishop greets the people, using these or other suitable words

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

or from Easter Day to Pentecost

Alleluia Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

There is one body and one spirit. There is one hope to which we were called;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.

Peace be with you. And also with you.

The bishop may introduce the service.

Gloria in excelsis may be used.

THE COLLECT

The bishop introduces a period of silent prayer with the words Let us pray or a more specific bidding.

The Collect of the Day is normally used on Sundays and on Principal Festivals.
On other occasions a seasonal Collect from the service for Holy Baptism or this prayer is used

Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit you give to your faithful people new life in the water of baptism.
Guide and strengthen us by the same Spirit, that we who are born again may serve you in faith and love,
and grow into the full stature of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit
now and for ever. Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

The readings of the day are normally used on Sundays and Principal Festivals. For other occasions a Table of Readings is provided.

Either one or two readings from Scripture may precede the Gospel reading. At the end of each the reader may say

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The psalm or canticle follows the first reading; other hymns and songs may be used between the readings.

GOSPEL READING

An acclamation may herald the Gospel reading. When the Gospel is announced the reader says

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to N. Glory to you, O Lord.

At the end: This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

THE LITURGY OF INITIATION

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

The candidates may be presented to the congregation. Where appropriate, they may be presented by their godparents or sponsors.

The bishop asks the candidates

Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit? I have.

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ? I am.

Testimony by the candidates may follow.

The bishop addresses the whole congregation

People of God, will you welcome these candidates and uphold them in their life in Christ? With the help of God, we will.

THE DECISION

A large candle may be lit. The bishop addresses all the candidates

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.
Therefore I ask: Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God? I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil? I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour? I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour? I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord? I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life? I come to Christ.

Where there are strong pastoral reasons, the alternative form of the Decision may be used.

The bishop says: May God who has given you the desire to follow Christ give you strength to continue in the Way. Amen.

The ministers and candidates for confirmation gather at the baptismal font. A canticle, psalm, hymn or a litany may be used.

PROFESSION OF FAITH

The bishop addresses the congregation

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with these candidates the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father? I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ? I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit? I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Where there are strong pastoral reasons the Alternative Profession of Faith may be used.

The candidates may come forward to the font and sign themselves with water, or the bishop may sprinkle them.

Then the bishop says

Almighty God, we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith with all who have been baptized into your name.
Keep us faithful to our baptism, and so make us ready for that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The bishop and the candidates gather at the place of confirmation. A hymn, chant or litany may be used.

CONFIRMATION

The bishop stands before those who are to be confirmed, and says

Our help is in the name of the Lord who has made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord now and for ever. Amen.

The bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says

Almighty and ever-living God, you have given these your servants new birth in baptism by water and the Spirit,
and have forgiven them all their sins. Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding;
the Spirit of counsel and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness;
and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. Amen.

The bishop addresses each candidate by name

N, God has called you by name and made you his own.

He then lays his hand on the head of each, saying

Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

The bishop invites the congregation to pray for all those on whom hands have been laid

Defend, O Lord, these your servants with your heavenly grace, that they may continue yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more until they come to your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

COMMISSION

The bishop may use this Commission

Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God.

Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? With the help of God, I will.

Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord? With the help of God, I will.

Will you proclaim by word and example the good news of God in Christ? With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people, loving your neighbour as yourself? With the help of God, I will.

Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society, by prayer for the world and its leaders,
by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice? With the help of God, I will.

May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, that you may be rooted and grounded in love and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.

The Prayers of Intercession may follow. It is appropriate that the newly confirmed take their part in leading the prayers. The prayers provided in the service for Holy Baptism may be used.

PEACE

The bishop introduces the Peace in these or other suitable words (seasonal forms are provided in the service for Holy Baptism)

God has made us one in Christ. He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come, has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts.

The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

A minister may say Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

All may exchange a sign of peace.

THE LITURGY OF THE SACRAMENT

The Order for Celebration of Holy Communion continues with

Preparation Of The Table

Taking Of The Bread And Wine

The Eucharistic Prayer

This Short Proper Preface may be used

And now we give you thanks because by water and the Holy Spirit you have made us a holy people in Jesus Christ our Lord;
you raise us to new life in him and renew in us the image of your glory.

The Lord’s Prayer

Breaking Of The Bread

Giving Of Communion

Prayer After Communion

The authorized Post Communion for the Day is normally used on Sundays and on Principal Festivals. On other occasions a seasonal prayer from the service for Holy Baptism or this prayer is used

God of mercy, by whose grace alone we are accepted and equipped for your service: stir up in us the gifts of your Holy Spirit
and make us worthy of our calling; that we may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SENDING OUT

THE BLESSING

The bishop may use a seasonal blessing from the service for Holy Baptism, or another suitable blessing, or

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;
and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

THE DISMISSAL

Go in the light and peace of Christ. Thanks be to God.

From Easter to Pentecost Alleluia Alleluia may be added after both the versicle and response.

The bishop may lead the newly confirmed through the church.