Celebrating life and faith
We are delighted that you are considering a service of Baptism (also known as Christening) at our Church. Baptism is the way we welcome children into God’s family. Because God welcomes children (and adults) unconditionally we will never refuse baptism to anyone.
Before the Baptism
We want you to be sure that you want your child baptised and that you want the service to take place at Chorley United Reformed Church.
For this reason we ask you to come to one of our services, before booking the date for your child’s baptism. Our Sunday mornign services are at 10.30am and last for an hour.
On the second Sunday of the month we hold our Cafe Church service. This is a lively service with games, puppets, modern music, crafts, Bible stories and quizzes and is particularly aimed at families. It’s church – but not as you know it!
On the fourth Sunday of the month our Junior church meet. They share with the rest of the church for the first 20 minutes or so before going out to our halls for age appropriate activities.
The Service of Baptism
Baptism takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month as part of our 10.30am service.
The Baptism service itself begins with the Minister explaining what Baptism is and offering a prayer of dedication over the water.
The minister will then touch your child’s forehead three times with water from the font, symbolising the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The minister will then make a sign of cross with the water on your child’s forehead to show that they are part of God’s family.
Once your child has been baptised, you (and any Godparents) will be invited to respond to God’s love for your child by affirming your faith and promising to bring your child up in the fellowship of the church.
Next the church will promise to support you in bringing up your child. We take this very seriously and promise to be there for you or your child and to help you in any way we can, should the need arise.
Finally you will be given a Baptism certificate and a Baptism Candle to remind you that Christ is the light of the world.
After the service
As part of the Baptism service you may promise to bring your child up in the faith of the Gospel and the fellowship of the church.
The best way to do this is by bringing your child to Junior church. You don’t need to wait until they start nursery or school as we have a creche available.
Service of Dedication
Some people want to mark their child’s birth, but want to allow their child to make their own decision about Baptism.
The Service of Dedication is ideal for this situation. It can be carried out at Church of as part of a celebration – at your home, pub, community centre or wherever.
What do we do next?
Come along to any of our morning services and ask to speak to the minister after the service.
We look forward to seeing you!
