Celebrating the anniversary of your baptism is a wonderful way to begin a tradition in your home! In this section of the website, you will find suggestions on how to create a way of honoring God and celebrating the milestone of a baptism anniversary. We encourage you to invite different generations of family members and friends to participate!

╬ Set out a candle to remind everyone that Christ is present. You can use the baptismal candle for this ceremony if you wish.

╬ Welcome everyone; you can use words like these from the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1; “’There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.’ We are gathered here today to celebrate the baptism anniversary of _______ (insert name).”

╬ Invite God into this sacred time and space through prayer. Make up your own, or you can use the one here: “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of baptism. We are so glad that __________ (insert name) has become part of your family through your promise in the water and the Word. Help us to trust in your promises and remember them each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”

╬ Choose a bible story or scripture to share. There are many in the bible relating to baptism or themes of new life. Some suggestions are Acts 16: 33-34, John 8:12, or Luke 3:21-22.

╬ If you have a videotape of the baptism, gather to watch it together. Or, have someone who was there share a story about the baptism—perhaps what they were feeling or thinking. You can even invite the Pastor who baptized the person to this ceremony! Finally, share what the baptism of this person means to you. If the baptized person is old enough, have them share what their own baptism means to them.

╬ Blessings are important! In can be difficult or awkward at first to begin this new tradition, but we encourage you to give it a try. Ask one adult to make the sign of the cross on the baptized person’s forehead, saying: “________ (name of person), remember that you are a child of God.”

╬ Give each person a small candle (birthday candles work great!) and have each person present light their candle from the baptismal candle. As they do so, say: “Let Christ’s light shine in me each day.”

╬ Choose a favorite song or hymn to sing, like “This little gospel light of mine.”

╬ Close in prayer. Use one like this if you so choose: “God, we praise you for the gift of baptism. Shine the light of Christ in me each day. Amen.”