Divine Liturgy of Holy Baptism

THE CARIBBEAN APOSTOLIC

HOLY RITE OF BAPTISM

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The Order Of Service

(*Where indicated, Please Stand)

Consecratory Prayer (before official Service)

+THE HIERACHAL PROCESSION

The Holy Bible Flanked by Incense

The Ecumenical Guest Clergy (Deacons, Presbyters, Bishops/Apostles)

The Diocese Deacons, Presbyters

The Church Clergy

The Bishop (if present) with The Pastor of The Congregation

The Greeting

*THE INVOCATION *

To begin the Divine Liturgy the priest lifts the Holy Gospel book and makes the sign of the cross over the Altar saying,

Presbyter: “Blessed is the kingdom of the Father, Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Let us pray.”

The Presbyter then leads all in prayer.

*PRAISE & WORHIP*

(the leading of the people in song and praise by the designated Presbyter/Deacon/worship leader)

*The Old Testament Reading*

(the Reading of the Scriptures by the designated Presbyter/Deacon/Reader)

Reader: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Reader: The reading of the Book of __________

(After announcing the Book of the Scriptures, the Herald {designated Reader/Deacon/Presbyter} will Incent the Scriptures three times and then proclaim the word of the Lord)

(After the reading) Reader: The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God.

*The Reading of the Gospel*

Reader: The reading of the holy gospel according to __________

All: Glory to you oh Christ

(After the reading) Reader: The Gospel of the Lord

All: Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ.

*The Reading of the Epistle*

Reader: A reading from Letter of __________ to __________.

(After the reading) Reader: The Word of the Lord

All: Thanks be to God.

Singing of Hymns/Psalms

(the leading of the people in song and praise by the designated Presbyter/Deacon/worship leader)

*Time of Pastoral Prayer*

The Deacon will Incent the Church, beginning with the Bishops, then the Presbyters and Deacons, then the Congregants.
The Deacon then leads the people in prayer.

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace of God and the salvation of our souls, we pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For the peace of the Kingdom of God, the stability of the Holy Churches of God, and the unity of all the saints, we pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, we pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For our Apostle/Bishop the Godly and Most Reverend Lord (name), for our Archbishop the Godly and Most Reverend Lord (Name), and for our Patriarch, the Godly and Most Reverend Lord Trevor ‘Elihu’ Greene, Patriarch of the Caribbean West Indies, our God-blessed Apostles and Bishops of Trinidad and Tobago, of the Bahamas, of Haiti, of the United States of America, and of all the regions of the Caribbean Apostolic Church in the service of Christ, for their Priesthoods, for help, preservation, peace, health and salvation, and for the work of their hands, let us pray to the Lord

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For all the Godly and Most Reverend Bishops, Presbyters, and all the Clergy to serve many years, we pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this country, for the Prime Minister of (Name of Country), for our President, and our Opposition Leader for Parliament, for the Supreme Court and all courts, for all civil authorities, and for our Armed Forces everywhere, let us pray to the Lord

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For this parish and city, for our Governor, for our Mayor, and for all local authorities, for our Police Department, Fire Department, and Healthcare workers, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, we pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, we pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: For all those in need of help and assistance from God, for travelers by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, we pray to the Lord.

Deacon: For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and distress, we pray to the Lord.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.

People: Lord, have mercy.

Deacon: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady Mary, the Mother of Christ our God, with all the Apostles and saints, we commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to You, oh Jesus Christ our God.

People: To You, O Lord.

Deacon: Lord, our God, whose power is beyond compare, and glory is beyond understanding; whose mercy is boundless, and love for us is ineffable; look upon us and upon this holy house in Your compassion. Grant to us and to those who pray with us Your abundant mercy.

Deacon: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father (+) and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

THE NICENE CREED

We BELIEVE in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God; Light of Light; Very God of Very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father; who, with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets; And we believe One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the Resurrection of the dead, (+) and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

OUR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The Pastor, then stands before the Congregants.
The Pastor then leads the people in prayer.

Pastor: Again, let us pray to the Lord.

ALMIGHTY God and everlasting Father, we thank You for this is the day that You have made, and we shall rejoice and be glad in it. We enter into your gates with Thanksgiving, and enter your courts with praise, coming for your holy throne seeking your face. bless us now oh Lord, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the blessing of Your love and truth. We are your servants, ye, Your sons and daughters by faith. Teach us in the ways of Your divine love, Your mercy, Your wisdom, and the faith Which framed the world. Guide us So that we may joyfully serve You in Your Church and prosper from day to day. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Welcome of Visitors/Greeting of the Brethren

(the leading of the people by the Presbyter)

Introduction of the Homilist

Singing of Hymn/Psalmist

(the leading of the people in song and praise by the designated Deacon)

The Homily

Altar Call

(the leading of the Altar Call to salvation by the Presbyter)

(The Celebration of Holy Baptism will now begin. All Clergy in their respective places. The Baptism will be performed at the hands of the designated Clergy.)

At the Doors of the Church

The priest, having ascertained the name(s), questions the candidate: (If a child, the sponsors will answer.)

Presbyter - (Name), what do you ask of the Church of God?

Candidate - Faith.

Presbyter - What does Faith bring to you?

Candidate - Life everlasting,

Presbyter - If you then desire to enter into life, keep the commandments. You shalt love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

Then he blows three times gently into the face of each candidate, and says once (separately to each):

Go out of him you unclean spirit, and give place unto the All-Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

Then he makes with his thumb the sign of the Cross on the forehead and on the breast of the candidate, saying:

Receive the sign of the Cross, both upon your forehead (+) and also on your heart (+); Take unto you the faith of the heavenly precepts; and be you such in your conversation, that you may now be the temple of God. Let us pray.

WE come to You, O Lord, graciously hear our prayers, and keep with Your perpetual power this Your Elect, (Name), who hath been signed with the sign of the Cross in the Lord: that he/she, observing the rudiments of the greatness of Your glory, may, by keeping Your commandments, be worthy to attain unto the glory of regeneration. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then he places his hand upon the head of the candidate, after which, holding his hand extended, he says:

Presbyter - Let us pray: Almighty and everlasting God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, vouchsafe to look upon this Your servant (Name), whom You hast been pleased to call to the rudiments of the faith; Drive far from him/her all blindness of heart; Break all the snares of Satan, wherewith he/she hath been bound; Open to him/her, O Lord, the gate of Your mercy, that, being filled with the sign of Your wisdom, he may be free from all evil desires, and in the sweet savour of Your commandments may joyfully serve You in Your Church, and prosper from day to day. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Presbyter - Peace be with you.

Candidate - And also with you.

Presbyter - Let us pray: OH GOD of our fathers, O God the author of all truth, we humbly entreat You, that You would vouchsafe mercifully to look upon this Your servant (Name), and that You would suffer him/her no longer to hunger, to the end that, being fulfilled with heavenly food, he/she may ever be fervent in spirit, rejoicing in hope, ever serving Your Name. Lead him/her, O Lord, we beseech You, to the washing of the new birth, that he/her may with You faithful be worthy to attain unto the eternal reward of You promises. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I EXORCISE you, unclean spirit, in the Name of the Father (+), and of the Son (+), and of the Holy (+) Ghost, that you go out, and depart from this servant of God (Name). For He Himself commands you, accursed and damned one, who walked with His feet upon the sea, and stretched forth His right hand to Peter as he sank. Therefore, accursed devil, acknowledge thy sentence, and give honor to God the living and the true, give honor to Jesus Christ His Son, and to the Holy Ghost, and depart from this servant of God (Name), forasmuch as our God and Lord Jesus Christ hath vouchsafed to call him/her to His holy grace and benediction, and to the font of Baptism.

Here he signs the candidate on the forehead, saying:

Presbyter - And this sign of the Holy (+) Cross, which we set upon his/her brow, do thou, accursed devil, never dare to violate. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then he lays his hand upon the head of the candidate, and afterwards holding it extended, says:

Presbyter - Let us pray: I ENTREAT Your eternal and most just mercy, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty, everlasting God, author of light and truth, upon this servant of God (Name), that You wouldest vouchsafe to enlighten him/her with the light of Your understanding: cleanse him/her and sanctify him: give him/her true knowledge, that being made worthy of the grace of Your Baptism, he/she may hold firm hope, right counsel and holy doctrine. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

In the Church

Then the presbyter places the end of his stole which hangs from his left shoulder on the first candidate, and leads (him), followed by the others, into the Church, saying to each:

Presbyter - (Name), enter into the temple of God, that you may have part with Christ unto life eternal. Amen.

When they are come into the Church, the presbyter, going towards the font, says, together with the sponsors, in a loud voice:

We Believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; begotten of His Father before all worlds; God of God; Light of Light; Very God of Very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father; who, with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the Prophets; And I believe One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, (+) and the Life of the world to come. Amen.

And then, before he enters the baptistry, with his back turned to it, he says:

Presbyter - I EXORCISE thee, every unclean spirit, in the Name of God the Father (+) Almighty, and in the Name of Jesus (+) Christ the Son, our Lord and Judge, and in the power of the Holy (+) Ghost, that you depart from this creature of God (Name), which our Lord hath vouchsafed to call unto His holy temple, that he/she may become the temple of the living God, and that the Holy Spirit may dwell therein. Through the same Christ, our Lord, who shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. Amen.

Then the presbyter, with his thumb, touches the ears and nostrils of the candidate; and while touching his right and left ears, he says:

Presbyter - Be opened in Jesus name and hear his voice, that a stranger you may never follow.

Then he touches the nostrils, saying:

Presbyter - For a savour of sweetness. But you, devil, flee away: for the judgment of God draws near.

Then he questions the person to be baptized, by name, saying:

Presbyter - (Name), do you renounce Satan?

Candidate - I do renounce him.

Presbyter - And all his works?

Presbyter - I do renounce them.

Presbyter - And all his vainglory?

Candidate - I do renounce them.

The presbyter now blesses the Holy Oil, which may be reserved for the same purpose on other occasions, without being re-blessed.

Blessing of the Oil of Catechumens Exorcism

Presbyter - O GOD, the rewarder of all spiritual growth and progress, Who by the power of the Holy Ghost dost strengthen the first beginnings of feeble minds, deign, Lord, we beseech Thee, to send down Thy blessing (+) upon this Oil, and grant that all who approach the laver of regeneration, may, through the unction of this Thy creature, be cleansed in mind and body; that if pollution of their spiritual enemies have adhered to them, it may depart at the touch of this hallowed Oil; let there be no place for the wickedness of spirits, no occasion for the apostate angels, no power of concealment left to the snares of sin; but to Thy servants, who come to the Faith, and are to be cleansed by the operation of Thy Holy Spirit, let the preparation of this unction be serviceable for that salvation, which they are to gain when born by heavenly generation in the Sacrament of Baptism. Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world by fire. Amen.

Then the presbyter dips his thumb in the Oil of Catechumens, and anoints the candidate on the breast, and between the shoulders in the form of a cross, saying once:

Presbyter - I anoint (+) you with the Oil of salvation in Christ (+) Jesus our Lord, that you may have eternal life. Amen.

Then, with cotton, wool, or the like, he wipes his thumb and the places anointed. Then he enters the baptistry, which the sponsors also enter, with the candidate. The presbyter, at the font, questions the person to be baptized by name:

Presbyter - (Name), do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth?

Candidate - I do believe.

Presbyter - Do you believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord, who was born into this world, and who suffered for us?

Candidate - I do believe.

Presbyter - Do you also believe in the All-Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?

Candidate - I do believe.

The Blessing of the Water

If the water has not already been blessed, the presbyter does so now:
Then he mingles the holy Oil with the water, and scatters it over the whole font.
Then, naming the person to be baptized, the presbyter says:

Presbyter - (Name), will you be baptized?

Candidate - I will.

It is the ancient historic practice of the Church that baptism shall be performed by three-fold immersion.
The presbyter takes the candidate, and baptizes him/her with a three-fold immersion, at the same time clearly and distinctly pronouncing the form once only, saying:

Presbyter - (Name), I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The Order of Confirmation (Chrismation)

The presbyter stands facing the candidate and sponsors, and says:

Presbyter - May the All-Holy Ghost come upon you, and may the power of the Most High preserve you from sins, Amen. Let us pray: ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who has vouchsafed to regenerate this Your servant by water and the All-Holy Ghost, and hast given unto him/her the remission of all his/her sins, send forth upon him/her Your sevenfold Spirit, the Holy Paraclete, from heaven. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding. The Spirit of counsel and fortitude. The Spirit of knowledge and godliness. Replenish him/her with the Spirit of Thy fear, and sign him/her with the sign of the Cross (+) of Christ, in Thy mercy unto life eternal. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the same All-Holy Spirit, world without end.

Amen.

The presbyter then pours the oil and rests his hand on the forehead of the candidate, and makes the sign of the Cross with his thumb, saying:

Presbyter - (Name), I sign you with the sign of (+) the Cross, and I seal you with the gift of the All-Holy Ghost. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The presbyter declares:

Presbyter - The Lord be with you.

Candidate - And with thy spirit.

Presbyter - Let us pray: O GOD, who gave to the Apostles the All-Holy Spirit, willing that by them and their successors He should be delivered to the rest of the faithful; look mercifully on the service of our humility; and grant that the heart of him/her who we have anointed with oil and with the sign of the Cross, may, by the same Holy Spirit descending upon him/her and vouchsafing to dwell therein, be made the temple of His glory, who, with the Father and the same Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, God, world without end. Amen. Behold, thus shall every man be blessed that fears the Lord.

THE EUCHARIST

(the most senior Clergy present leads the people)

The Celebration of Holy Eucharist will now begin. All Clergy fully vested in their respective places. The Eucharist will be served at the hands of the Clergy, blessed by the Chief Celebrating Presbyter. The Deacon then, with a soft voice, leads the congregation in Eucharistic hymn as the altar is being set:

Hymn:

There is a sweet anointing in this sanctuary
There is a stillness in the atmosphere;
Come and lay down the burdens you have carried
For in the sanctuary, God is here

He is here
He is here to break the yoke
And lift the heavy burden

He is here
He is here to heal the hopeless heart
And bless the broken

Oh come and lay down
The burdens you have carried
For in this sanctuary, God is here

Reader:

A reading from the 1st Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians 11:17-34

“Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.”

First, the broken Bread:

The Prelate, with the Bread lifted, in a loud voice shall pray:

“We thank you, our Father, for the life and the knowledge that you made known to us through your Son Jesus (+), whose Body this bread now is. Glory be to You for the age. Just as this broken bread was scattered on top of the hills and as it was gathered together and became one, in the same way let your assembly be gathered together from the remotest parts of the land into your kingdom. For yours is the glory and the power through Christ Jesus for the age.”

Now, the cup:

The Prelate, with the Chalice lifted, in a loud voice shall pray:

“We thank you, our Father, for the holy vine of your Son David which you made known to us through your Son Jesus (+), whose Blood this wine mixed with water now is. Glory be to you for the age.

(the serving of the Eucharist)

The Celebrant shall then say:

“We thank You, holy Father, for Your holy name JEHOVAH, which you made to live in our hearts, and for the knowledge and trust and immortality which You made known to us through Jesus Your Son. Glory be to You for the age. Almighty Master, it was You who created all for the sake of Your name. You gave both food and drink to people for enjoyment, so that they might give thanks to you. But to us you have freely given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through your Son. Before all things, we are thankful to you that you are powerful. Glory be to You for the age. O Lord, remember your assembly, remember to rescue it from every evil and to make it complete in your love, and to gather it from the four winds into your kingdom which you prepared for it, which has been made holy. For yours is the power and the glory for the age. Let generosity come, and let this universe pass away. Hosanna to David's Son! If someone is holy, let him come. If someone is not, he should change his mind. Amen."

The Celebrant, holding the Holy Communion high above his head says:

Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

With the Celebrant, the people respond:

Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof, but speak the word only and my soul shall be healed.

The Celebrant administers Holy Communion, saying:

The Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given and shed for thee, preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Amen.

After serving the Holy Communion to the people, the Reading of the prayer by the Celebrant:

POUR forth on us, O Lord, the spirit of Thy love; that those whom Thou hast filled with the Passover Sacrament, may, by Thy goodness, live in perfect concord. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the selfsame Holy Spirit, God, to ages of ages. Amen.

Allowance for Prophetic Utterances and the Blessing of the Tithes

BENDICTION

(Name of Church), go in peace, and the Lord be with thee. Amen.

Making the sign of the Cross over the people, he says:

May the Lord bless (+) you and keep you, may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto; may the Lord lift up His countenance upon you an give you peace. Amen.