(Beginning after the sermon)

PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES

The congregation remains seated. The candidates are presented. Each stands in turn to face the congregation. Then the candidates turn back to the bishop, who asks them

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.

The bishop addresses the 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

The bishop addresses 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.

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

PROFESSION OF FAITH

The congregation stands.
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.

The bishop sprinkles the candidates and the congregation with holy water and 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.

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 and clergy kneel before the altar.
All sit or kneel.

Silence is kept

Cantor
Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
All
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love;
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art guide no ill can come.

Show us the Father and the Son,
In thee and with thee, ever one.
Then through the ages all along
This shall be our unending song.

Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Each candidate is introduced in turn by a sponsor, with the words Bishop, I present N.

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 anoints each candidate with Chrism, saying

Be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

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.

(The service continues with Holy Communion)

GIVING OF A LIGHTED CANDLE

(At the end of the service)

Each candidate is given a lighted candle

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness
and has given us a place with the saints in light.
Receive the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life.
Shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God the Father.

THE DISMISSAL

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

Liturgical material from Common Worship is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000, 2011.

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