On November 1, Ashlynn was dedicated to the Lord.
It was so nice to have so many of our family members there to celebrate this commitment Wes and I were making.
The Order of Service went like this (writing it all down in case I lose the paper I was given ;) ):
Introduction and Bible Reading:
Deut. 6:6-7
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Mark 10:13-16
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children, I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Child dedication is a public commitment made by parents before God, their church, and their family. The dedication service is an opportunity for parents to publicly express their desire to work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to lead and spiritually nurture their child so that as they mature they too will live a life that celebrates God.
In this service we celebrate God's love, which is so clearly revealed in the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We proclaim that in Jesus, God the Father has already acted to save these children. We dedicate them to God's purposes, knowing that even though we may falter, God will not, that He will continue , through His Spirit, the work begun this day.
The Covenant of the Parents
Pastor: Do you receive this child with gratitude, as another demonstration of God's goodness to you and your family?
Parents: We do
Pastor: Do you commit to each other as parents, to create a stable environment in which your child can mature? Will you make a covenant between one another and with God to strengthen your marriage relationship?
Parents: We do, God being our helper.
Pastor: Do you commit to be parents of personal faith, recognizing your children are more likely to live a life that celebrates God if they see you are consistently model it first.
Parents: We do, God being our helper.
Pastor: Do you commit to encourage your children so that when they are able, they will put their faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross for themselves?
Parents: We do, God being our helper.
The Dedication
Prayer of the Congregation:
Lord, we have here in our family, new children. The responsibility for these little persons is too much for parents alone. They need the loving support of their church family as they train and nurture their children. We give ourselves today, Lord to that task. We accept the responsibility of helping to bring them to maturity in You. We will teach them about the goodness of God and uphold them with out love. We will encourage them when they fail, and we will be careful not to bruise these tender buds by harsh words, quick judgements, and cruel criticism. For truly, Father, these are your children and we want to bring them to the moment when they will choose for themselves to know You as Saviour and Lord of their lives. Amen.
Prayer of the Parents:
Lord we thank you for your incredible gifts to us and for entrusting them to us. We recognize that in parenting we partner with you in raising these children so that they will live lives that celebrate you. Help us Heavenly Father to reveal your incredible love to our children. Help us to be consistent in our witness in front of them. Help us to lead them to the place where they will choose to receive your grace for themselves. As you have entrusted them to us Lord, we in return entrust them to you knowing that as great as our love is for them, you love them even more. Amen.
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