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BAPTISM
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General Instructions
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By baptism, a person is united with Jesus Christ in order to share with him and with his people the cross and the resurection life. Since the act of baptism has this determinative and life-long implication, both for the individual and for the church, baptism pre-supoppses that
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the candidates (children, young people, adults) and their realtives are given help, in various ways (information, pre-baptism conversations) to prepare for baptism and to continue to live in the community of the faith.
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baptism is normally celebrated as a public service, either as a separate service of baptism or as part of another service in the parish.
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If children and older people are baptised during the same service, the order for Baptism of Young People and Adults are primarily followed while appropriate adaptions are made for the baptism of children.
If a baptismal font for full immersion is available in the parish church it may on request be used for the baptism of young people and adults.
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Integration of Baptism into a Main Service
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When baptism is celebrated as part of a main service, the entie service keeps its character determined by then liturgical year. The various orders of service admits integration of baptism in the following ways:
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The Eucharist with Baptism, or Solemn Sunday Service with Baptism
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The Order of Service for the Eucharist or the Solemn Sunday Service is followed until the Notices inclusive. The Creed is omitted.
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2.
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Hymn
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The Order of Service for Baptism from the Prayer of Thanksgiving until
the Welcome (and the giving of the baptismal candle) inclusive.
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Following a hymn the Eucharist or the Solemn Sunday Service respectively continues from the Intercession of the Church. Intercessions for the newly baptised and their families should be included.
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The Eucharist (Short Form) with Baptism
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1.
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The Order for the Eucharist until the Notices inclusive. The Creed is omitted.
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2.
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Hymn
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The Order of Service for Baptism from the Prayer of Thanksgiving until the Welcome (and the giving of the baptismal candle) inclusive.
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Following a hymn the Eucharist continues from the Penitential Prayers and the Absolution.
The Intercession of the Church should include intercessions for the newly baptised and their families.
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Family Eucharist with Baptism
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1.
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The Order for Family Eucharist until the Notices inclusive. The Creed is omitted.
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2.
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Hymn
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The Order of Service for Baptism from the Prayer of Thanksgiving until the Welcome (and the giving of the baptismal candle) inclusive.
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Following a hymn the Eucharist continues from the Penitential Prayers and the Absolution.
The Intercession of the Church should include intercessions for the newly baptised and their families.
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Sunday Service with Baptism
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1.
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The Order for Sunday Service until the Notices inclusive. The Creed is omitted.
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2.
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Hymn
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The Order of Service for Baptism from the Prayer of Thanksgiving until the Welcome (and the giving of the baptismal candle) inclusive. Only the reading from Matthew 28:18-20 is used.
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Following a hymn the Sunday Service continues from the Penitential Prayers and the Absolution or from the Prayer of Commitment.
The Intercession of the Church should include intercessions for the newly baptised and their families.
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Family Service with Baptism
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1.
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The Order for Family Service until the Notices inclusive. The Creed is omitted.
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2.
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Hymn
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3.
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The Order of Service for Baptism from the Prayer of Thanksgiving until the Welcome (and the giving of the baptismal candle) inclusive. Only the reading from Matthew 28:18-20 is used.
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Following a hymn the Family Service continues from the Intercession of the Church. Intercessions for the newly baptised and their families should be included.
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THE BAPTISM OF CHILDREN
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The priest or an assistant may give an informal greeting
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Hymn
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Introduction and Prayer of Thanksgiving
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In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
It is God’s will that we should live in communion with him.
Therefore he sent his Son, Jesus Christ,
to save us from all evil.
By baptism he gives us birth into a new life,
makes us members of his church and leads us into a life in union with himself.
That is what God does with this child(these children) that is (are) to be baptised.
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Let us pray
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If one of the parents says the prayer, it should be the first one, and otherwise the second one.
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God, we thank you for our children.
Thank you for the gift that you have given us,
and for the trust you have placed in us.
Give us love, firmness and peace.
Help us to give your love
to the child(ren) you have entrusted to us.
In the Name of Jesus.
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Amen.
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or
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God, we thank you for these children
Bless those who are responsible for them
(— parents, godparents and friends).
Fill them with your love,
so that they can give love and security.
Help us all so to live together
that we may rejoice together in the gift of baptism.
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Amen.
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The Gospel about Jesus and the Children
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Let us hear the Gospel about Jesus and the children.
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(P)
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They brought children to Jesus
for him to touch.
The disciples rebuked them,
but when Jesus saw it he was indignant, and said to them,
“Let the children come to me;
do not try to stop them;
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Truly I tell you: whoever does not accept
the kingdom of God like a child
will never enter it.”
And he put his arms round them,
laid his hands on them,
and blessed them.
(Mark 10:13--16 RSV.)
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The priest may say these or similar word:
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Thus we will do with these children
whom we now mention by name.
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The Prayer for Deliverance
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The question of the name, the prayer for deliverance and the (possible) signing with the sign of the cross takes place without disruption for each child in turn. The priest asks the parents of the child:
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What name have you given your child?
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One of the parents answers:
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NN.
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The priest, and if possible relatives and godpatrents, may lay hands on the head of the child.
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God, you alone save us from all evil,
deliver NN from the power of darkness,
write his name in the Book of Life
and keep him in your light,
now and always.
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During the signing with the sign of the cross, the priest may say (if only one sign of the cross is used, lines 2-4 are omitted)
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Receive the sign of the cross
(on your + forehead
on your + mouth
and on your + heart).
Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen Lord,
calls you to be his disciple.
Amen.
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Bible Reading
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Let us listen to the words of Jesus about baptism and the faith:
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Full authority in heaven and on earth has been committed to me.
Go therefore to all nations and make them my disciples;
baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.
I will be with you always, to the end of time.
(Matt 28:18—20 RSV)
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The priest or an assistant may continue with one of the following texts or with another text about baptism. The reading may be introducedwith these words:
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Let us also listen to . . .
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(P)
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Peter spoke to the people and said:
Repent and be baptised, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ;
then your sins will be forgiven.
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 2:38 RSV)
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or
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(P)
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On hearing this they were baptised
into the name of the Lord Jesus;
and when Paul had laid his hands on them,
the Holy Spirit came upon them
(Acts 19:5 RSV)
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or
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(P)
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By that baptism into his death
we were buried with Christ,
in order that, as Christ was raised from the dead,
by the glorious power of the Father,
so also we might set out on a new life.
For if we have become identified with him
in his death,
we shall also be identified with him
in his resurrection.
(Rom 6:4--5 RSV)
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or
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(P)
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Baptised into uion with Christ,
you have all put on Christ as a garment.
There is no such thing as Jew or Greek,
slave and freeman, male and female;
for you are all one person in Christ Jesus
(Gal 3:27--28 NEB)
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or
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(P)
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But when the kindness and generosity of God our Saviour
dawned upon the world,
then, not for any good deeds of our own,
but because he was merciful,
he saved us through the water of rebirth,
and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.
(Tit 3:4--5 NEB)
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Homily
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May be omitted.
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Hymn
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May be omitted.
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The Blessing of the Water
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Water is poured iinto the baptismal font if this has not already been done.
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Let us pray
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God, our Father, we thank you
that through the waters of baptism
you let flow the water
that gives life to the world.
Send forth your word and your Spirit,
that those who are to be baptised in this water
may be cleansed from all sin.
Bring them to new birth,
give them life in Christ
and unite them with your people.
For our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake.
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Amen.
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or
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Heavenly Father, by water and the Spirit you create a people,
that is united with you in Jesus Christ.
We thank you that you have made this this water
a source of grace.
Make those who will here be baptised
partakers of the victorious death and resurrection of your Son.
For our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake.
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Amen.
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The Creed
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Let us profess together the faith
into which we are baptised in the Church of Christ
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We believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
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We believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
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We 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.
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The priest may ask the parents of the child:
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Is it your will that your child should be baptised into this faith and live with the Church in the community of Christ?
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The parents answer:
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Yes.
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The Baptism
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The baptism by the pouring of water and prayer takes place without disruption for each child in turn. The priest pours water on the child’s head three times and says:
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NN, I baptise you
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
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The priest lays his hand on the child’s head and continues::
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God of life,
fill NN with your holy Spirit,
and help him day by day
to live by his baptism.
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The Welcome (and the Giving of the Baptismal Candle)
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The priest may lift up the child before the congregation and say:
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Jesus said: Whoever receives such a child in my name receives me. .
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An assistant or the priest says these or similar words:
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(P)
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(NN,) we welcome you into God’s family
and receive you with love and expectation.
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The baptismal candle is lit here or during the baptism itself. As it is given, an assistant or the priest may say these or similar words
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(P)
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Receive this light.
It is a reminder of Jesus who said:
I am the light of the world.
If anyone follows me, he shall not walk in darkness
but have the light of life.
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The priest may add a few words of his own or say the following:
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Dear Christians.
By baptism your child has now been received
into the Church of Christ.
It is now your task as parents (and godparents)
to set an example for him and to pray for him
and, together with the community of the church,
to lead him in the way of faith through life.
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Intercession
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The priest, an assistant or one of the parents leads informally worded intercessions or says one of the following prayers.
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Let us pray.
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(P)
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Merciful God and Father,
the children are our future, our anxiety, our joy.
We therefore pray to you for these children (NN).
Let them grow up in security, freedom and fellowship with others.
Give them the inner strength that keeps them, even in the dark days of life.
Let the joy in what you have given us in baptism
permeate all our life, so that we may all grow and mature in our faith
and at the last come to share in the joy of heaven in your presence.
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Amen.
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or
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(P)
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God, creator of heaven and earth, giver of life and Holy Spirit.
We pray for these children (NN)
whom you have received by baptism.
Help us joyfully and trustfully
to give them security and closeness.
Keep them by your Spirit from going astray in a dangerous world.
Let them discover more and more of the secrets of your kingdom
and protect them as your children through life and death and for ever.
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Amen.
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The Lord’s Prayer
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The Priest may say:
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Let us say together the Lord’s Prayer.
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Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
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Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive them that trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen.
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The Blessing
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The priest may say:
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Receive the blessing from the Lord.
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The Lord bless you and watch over you.
The Lord make his Face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.
The Lord look kindly on you and give you peace;
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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Amen.
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Hymn
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The Dismissal
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May be omitted.
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Go in peace and serve the Lord with joy.
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