Baptism Firesides

Okay, I'll give you my feeling on the Baptism Fireside or preview, which ever you want to call it!
I think they are great! It really is not a night about learning about getting baptized as much as it is a night for them to understand all that is going to go on, since they are learning about this all year long, from their family and at church.
Things we do are,
~ We have had the Bishop talk about what happens at the interview the kids have with him, so they are not scared
~ We show then the clothes they will be wearing
~ We show them the font.
~ We have one of the dad's and kids show how you get Baptized
~ We then spilt up, the boys are told about Cubs, they get info on what they will need to get, (we also show them and tell the parents a little about the Cub Booklet we give to them when they enter the cub program .(Click here to see that book) we find the parents really like that, then they can get some of the stuff for the boys for there birthday presents, the girls learn about Activity Days.
~We also have had a child that was Baptized the year before give a 30 sec or so talk on how they felt when they got Baptized.
~We also take pictures of each child and have used one of the bulletins boards in the hallway and place all their pictures on there, with their name and the date they will Baptized. We put a heading which says something like It's great to be Eight! (different for each year, we try to base it around the years theme) I am not in Primary anymore, but they still are doing it and the kids love it!
~ We also have handouts to give out, one set for the Parents and one for the child. Click here for those
~ Plus we tell and show the kids about the Baptism booklet they will be getting on there birthday

Letter on Baptism.zip

"It's Great to Be Eight" Poem

By Diane Barker (thanks for sharing)

We attached the poem to a cellophane bag that help a package of Trident White chewing gum.  The poem refers to being dressed in "White" and "Chewsing".  We also gave the children the picture of Jesus Christ being baptized by John the Baptist in a simple two dollar frame.

Thank You for coming to “It’s Great to be Eight”

Your Baptism is a day to eagerly await

For that big day you’ll know how to prepare

Make sure that all White is what you wear

This gum can remind you of what you are “chewsing”

The gift of Free Agency is what you are using

Put this picture nearby so it can remind you

That Christ is our example in all we do

The Ordinance of Baptism is what we all need

So on the path back to God we can proceed

To gain salvation this is ordinance number one

By Authority of the Holy Priesthood it will be done

When confirmed you’ll receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost

We hope he becomes the one you listen to the most

You’ll also be joining the only true church on the earth

Your membership throughout your life will be of great worth

Then partake of the Sacrament at church each week to renew

The covenants made between Heavenly Father and you

Prepare every day with the scriptures you read

Say your prayers morn and night for help that you need

Both at home and at Primary, remember all you’ve been taught

We hope you’ll be giving your Baptism a lot of thought.

Written by Diane Baker

CTR SOAP

I printed a CTR shield on tracing paper, cut them out, then put it on a bar of soap, I just bought the cheap bar of soap,  then dipped the front only into the melted wax, it sealed the shield on to the soap, I put it little bags then put the following topper on the bag, we used it for an invitation to a baptism fireside. 

I used it in Young Women for a "clean Hands, pure heart" soap. CLICK TO SEE IT

From Heidi in Fl, I got this for all of us to use! Thanks

When I was searching my documents I found this set
of street signs for the "Road to Baptism" I remade them from a children's
friend--so I could print in black and white instead of the color signs (also
made them much bigger than the original)

Baptism Street Signs.pdf

Boyd K. Packer penned this
Washed Clean (Friend, Apr. 1999, inside front cover)
If we could only understand
All we have heard and seen,
We'd know there is no greater gift
Than those two words-"Washed clean!"
-------------
Baptism (Friend, Oct. 1974, p.5)
"Me, my Lord, baptize Thee?
Why comest Thou to me?"
And John the Baptist bowed his head
In deep humility.
But Jesus said with a gentle smile,
"Let your heart be still.
Suffer it to be so now,
All righteousness fulfill."
So down the Jordan's shallow bank
Christ went with humble grace.
Into the stream John lowered Him
With wonder on his face.
When from the water Jesus came,
The heavens opened above.
God's holy Spirit came to earth,
A gift of His great love.
And now, my child, your turn has come,
You have been baptized too.
The Light of Christ is in your face
For all the world to view.
-----------------
My Baptism (Friend, May 1996, p.46)
Today I took a closer step
to be with Heavenly Father.
I humbly walked down five white steps
and into clean, clear water.
My loving daddy took my hand
to help me stand up straight-
Just as he has through all my life
till now when I am eight.
My daddy showed me what to do-
breath deep, then hold your nose-
And baptized me with priesthood power
and smiled when I arose.
Tomorrow I'll take another step
to be with Heavenly Father.
My daddy, uncles, grandpas, too,
will all around me gather.
They'll lay their hands upon my head,
bless me, and say, "Amen,"
Then the Holy Ghost will be my guide
If I but follow Him

CTR Towel

Check out these great gift for anyone getting Baptized

 Baptism Bracelet

Here is an invitation that can be personalized for a child who will be getting Baptized

Put the items in a bag or small box 
(shared by Jennifer Lefftler) 
Congratulations on your baptism day! This Baptism bag will help remind you that being baptized is one of the most important things you can do in your life. 
The white bag is a symbol of how pure and clean you are now that you have been baptized. Let it remind you that dirt can stain the bag just as sin can stain your soul. Always remember that repentance can keep you pure and clean and should always be your goal. 
The picture of Jesus and John the Baptist will remind you that Jesus was baptized when He lived on earth because He wanted to obey Heavenly Father's commandments and set an example for each of us to follow. He knew that everyone must be baptized to be able to live in the Celestial kingdom. 
The sacrament cup: When we are baptized we make a promise to Heavenly Father and He in turn makes a promise to us. This is called a covenant. When you partake of the Sacrament you will be renewing your baptismal covenant. The chart will help you remember what these promises are. 
Small gift box: After you were baptized you received one of God's greatest gifts, the Gift of the Holy Ghost. You received this by the laying on of hands by an Elder of the Church. As you open the small gift representing the Holy Ghost you will discover the many ways the Holy Ghost can help you in your life if you live worthy. 
The heart stands for the great love our Heavenly Father has for you and His desire that you return to live with Him. It also stands for the love you show Him by obeying His commandments. 
Candle: As you gain a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live worthy so Heavenly Father's spirit can be with you, you will feel the peace and joy the gospel brings and have the light of the Holy Ghost. Let the candle represent this light which will lead you back to the presence of your Heavenly Father. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COVENANT (make a card with this written on it) 
I Promise: 
I will follow Jesus 
I will always remember him 
I will keep his commandments 
Heavenly Father Promises: 
He will forgive me 
He will give me the help of the Holy Ghost 
He will give me eternal life 
These are the word strips that go in the "Gift of the Holy Ghost" box: 
Gives us our Testimony 
Warns us of danger or evil 
Comforts us (Galatians 5:22) 
Inspires us (Luke 12:12) 
Teaches us (John 14:26) 
Helps us remember things (John 14:26) 
Helps us understand things (D&C 6:15) 
Helps us know and choose the right (D&C 11:12) 
Guides us in important decisions (2 Nephi 32:5) 
Helps us recognize truth (Moroni 10:5) 
Helps us understand and communicate with each other (Alma 12:3) 

(to help the children understand how important their baptism is) 
The WHITE BAG is to remind you of how PURE AND CLEAN you are now that you have been baptized. 
The WASHCLOTH is to remind you that you have been washed free of all your sins. 
he WATER will remind you that you were baptized by IMMERSION, just like Jesus was. After your baptism you received a special GIFT, the gift of the HOLY GHOST. 
The little MOUTH is to help you remember that the Holy Ghost will SPEAK to you in a still small voice. 
The SOAP is to remind you that you must have clean thoughts and actions to feel the Holy Ghost. 
The EAR in the bag will remind you to always LISTEN to the Holy Ghost so that you can always choose the right. 
The Holy Ghost will COMFORT you like a warm BLANKET. The Holy Ghost will comfort you and give you strength when you choose the right and have to stand alone. 
The RULER will help you remember that the Holy Ghost is a TEACHER. The Holy Ghost will help you understand and know the truth as you study the scriptures and learn. 
The Holy Ghost will LIGHT YOUR WAY like a CANDLE and help you walk along righteous paths. 
The HEART shows how much Jesus loves you. He wants you to show your LOVE for Him by obeying the commandments. Always stay close to Him and you will be truly happy." I include a laminated card with what each item represents so they can remember. 
This Baptism bag 
(to help the children understand how important their baptism is) 

Two weeks before a child turns 8, they receive their Baptism Bag. It is a paper produce bag (with a handle) and with colored markers, their name is written on the front, a VIP badge is stapled to it, and a big raffia bow is tied to the handle. In the bag, they find: 
a Gospel in Action card attached with a letter for the parents to read to the child; 
a CTR ring; 
Sticker(s); 
A little Baptism book that has games, stories, lessons, songs, guest book, journal and a place for a picture; 
also a list of what the child needs to bring with them to their baptism, 
an Achievement Days book (for the girls) or the Faith in God card (for the boys who enter Cub Scouts) along with the corresponding leaders names and numbers. 
Sit down with the child to discuss the contents of the bag and answer questions if they have any. You should see their eyes light up when they see their beautiful Baptism Bags!" 

(by Keri in California) 
This BAPTISM BAG is to help you understand how important your baptism is. 
The WHITE BAG is to remind you of how PURE and CLEAN you are now that you have been baptized. 
The WASHCLOTH is to remind you that you have been washed free of your sins. 
The WATER is to remind you that you were baptized by IMMERSION, just like Jesus. 
The EVERGREEN TREE represents that we are able to live forever because of Jesus Christ. 
The RED DROPLETS represent the blood that Christ shed for us. 
The KEY represents baptism as the key to entering the gate to the Kingdom of Heaven. 
The SACRAMENT CUP reminds us that each Sunday we can renew the covenants (promises) that we made with the Lord when we take the sacrament. 
The WHITE BOARD represents you. The marks on the board represent "sins" that you commit. 
The ERASER represents repentance and how it erases the "sins". 
After you are baptized you receive a very special GIFT - the gift of the Holy Ghost. 
The SOAP reminds you that you must have clean thoughts and actions to feel the Holy Ghost. 
The RADIO reminds you that you must be "in tune" to hear the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. 
The ROCKY ROAD CANDY BAR reminds you that you will have hard times in your life, but with the help of the Gospel and especially the Holy Ghost you will make it. 
The HEART shows how much Jesus loves you. He wants you to show your LOVE for Him by obeying the commandments. Always stay close to Him and you will be truly happy. 
The PICTURE OF JESUS to remind you to always remember Him and be like Him. 

See also some poems written about Missionaries and Sealing by this author, to see those click here

As You Are Baptized

You have chosen to be baptized

To start your life anew,

Following in Christ’s footsteps

For you know the Gospel’s true,

When our lives are clean and spotless,

The Holy Ghost can guide;

A companion and a prompter

He’ll stay always at your side.

For your reflections of today,

I give a gift to you

Symbolic of these sacred vows,

and of the Gospel true.

So clean and white, this hanky-

Like you’ve become today;

When you vowed to follow Jesus

and your sins were washed away.

To follow in Christ’s footsteps

The commandments to obey,

To  remember His atonement

and for repentance, pray.

Remember God is near you

His love for you is great

Stay near the Straight and Narrow Path

Where lasting blessing wait.

                                               By Kathy Carrico Himle

Presiding
Conducting
Chorister
Piano
Opening Hymn
Invocation/ Opening Prayer
Speaker on Baptism

Baptism of :

Musical Number
Speaker on Holy Ghost
Confirmation
Closing Song
Benediction/Closing Prayer