Child Dedication: Glasgow
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The Presentation of Children and the Dedication of Parents
An Order of Service for Presentation of Children and Dedication of Parents
Daniel & Kira Glasgow
Introductory Remarks to the Congregation
At this point in our worship of God, we give particular attention to God’s gift of children.
Daniel & Kira the parents of Josef & Lily wish to present them to God in the presence of His people, to dedicate themselves to their Christian nurture and to ask you for your support in this great privilege and responsibility.
Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives, and by his Lordship he calls us to gather together as the church. He is the Head of the church, and we wish to raise our children to follow him.
When a child is born, we are full of hope. We pray that these will be blessed, and that as parents and family, we will do all that is right for our child’s nurture. But we know that life in this broken world has its share of sorrow as well as joy, sickness as well as health, poverty as well as riches.
The society we live in will demand much from this child and from you as parents. To overcome the evil in this world, the scriptures instruct us to: rely on our faith in Jesus Christ, have a growing knowledge of his Word, and seek to obey his Word with all of our being.
Scripture Reading
Hear now what the Word of God says about children:
“Children are a gift from God.”
3 Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.
deuteronomy 6:5-7
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.
7 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.
Matthew 18:5
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,
Commitments by the Parents
You have chosen verses for each child,
Josef
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.
Lily
8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
With these verses in mind let me ask you a few questions.
Pastor: You have brought your children to be blessed today. Will you commit yourselves to raising them in the faith by making these promises:
Do you recognize and solemnly declare your dependence upon the Almighty God for the wisdom, help and blessing you will need to guide and nurture Josef & Lily?
Parents: We do.
Pastor: Do you commit yourselves to instruct Scottie in the teachings of Jesus Christ, to read the Word of God regularly, and to pray both with and for Josef & Lily?
Parents: We do.
Pastor: Do you intend to raise up Josef & Lily in the church family, with the prayer that, in due time, your child may receive Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and Lord?
Parents: We do.
Commitments by the Congregation
These parents are relying upon us, as God’s people, to support and help them to raise up this child in the faith.
This means volunteering when appropriate in the nursery; teaching in the Sunday School; supporting our children’s programs and youth groups; welcoming and treating children and young people as valued members of our church family; being patient with them as they grow and learn; and above all, praying for our children and youth, individually and as a group.
If you will make these commitments, will you stand and pray with me?
Prayer (In Unison)
Loving Father, we your people pray for Daniel, Kira, Josef, and Lily. Guide them in the ways of truth; sustain them in times of difficulty and bless them with the joys of life in Christ. We commit ourselves to the Christian nurture of all the children you have entrusted to our care. We offer you ourselves, our time, and our gifts in this ministry. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Please be seated.
Prayer & Blessing for Each Child
Josef & Lily
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.