Baptism and Baby Dedication

We are celebrating two things today - The choice of someone to get baptised, and a Baby Dedication.

Ashliegh up - I am going to read Ashleigh’s Testimony.

“Ashleigh says that she will not shock or bore you with her life story, but thought that she would share a couple of things that has opened her eyes to what Ashleigh thought, was impossible.

5 years ago Ashleigh nearly died. Slipping in the shower and Ashleigh sliced her ankle open on the soap dish. They where an hour away from the closest hospital, staying with a friend as they where moving interstate. At the time Ashliegh thought it was just her luck that they got to the hospital in half the time, slowing down just as they passed two police cars on the side of teh road and got to the Hospital before losing too much blood as Ashliegh had sliced a vein in her ankle.

The most significant part of Ashleigh’s story was after 13 years of infertility and finally deciding that she didn’t want children, Ashleigh was given Grayson, her little miracle baby.

The first week that Ashleigh came to Cornerstone Vasse Pastor Mat spoke about the Grace that Saves. Ashleigh went to church in adelaide about 10 years ago but nothing felt right.

Ashleigh feels coming now was perfectly timed hearing that God’s grace doesn’t discriminate changed something in her. Ashleigh has always been a harsh judge on herself and she realises now, that she shouldn’t be.

Over the past few months, Ashleigh has opened herself up to Jesus as her Lord and Saviour and He has given her Peace.”

**pray**

Ashleigh has also decided to dedicate her baby, Grayson to the Lord, and ask for a blessing over his life. The word dedication means to set apart for God.

Jesus invited the children to ocme to him, and he laid hands on them and blessed them - They would bring their children to the temple to give thanks and seek God’s blessing and while we are the temple of God, this is what we do today. We are a community of believers, this is Grayson’s family, and so we pray a blessing over him together.

We also come to express our dedication in raising the child with GOd’s help in His WAys.

Tell us Ashleigh, what is the full name of Grayson?

Ashleigh wanted an uncommon name that wouldn’t sound silly when he’s older. Ryan is his dad’s name even though at the moment he has chosen not to be in Grayson’s life and Edward is after Ashleigh’s Pop.

Grayson was sent to Ashleigh for a reason from God as Ashleigh had been told many times and had many tests since she was about 17 years olf that Ashleigh would be unable to fall pregnant. It’s been a rough start to Grayson’s life with reflux, allergies, salomenalla and getting covid but Ashleigh feels God wouldn’t have given her Grayson if Ashleigh wasn’t strong enough to handle it with the help of God.

The biblical meaning for “Grayson” is “Son of a Steward” - It’s describes someone that may be a faithful steward in serving the Lord during their lifetime.

as we look to the Bible, we see many faithful Stewards in the Bible in serving the Lord - When we think of Faithful Stewards in the Bible I think of Joseph - He was shown the future in dreams, although his brothers hated him he chose to steward what God gave him well in all situations - When he was in the pit - When he was in Egypt and was faced with temptation to do what is wrong, Joseph chose to steward his position of influence well - and the result was that he become one of the most powerful men in Egypt and served the Lord until his Dying Breath.

I know this is what Ashleigh wants for Grayson, to serve the Lord all His days and to build a relationship with God.

And today, we put this into God’s Hands and dedicate him today.

Promises

At this time Ashleigh, I am going to ask you to make your dedication before the Lord.

As you come into the Presence of God and His People I ask you, with God’s help will you endeavour to;

Create a home environment of love, happiness and security?

Give of yourself sacrificially as Jesus did to meet Grayson’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs?

Make it your goal to train Grayson up in the way he should go, and using the word of God as the final authority in His life?

Ashleigh’s response

Dedication of Community

Now I will ask our church family and friends to stand with me as you also make this pledge as a community of believers.

As their church family will you;

Love and care for this child in real and practical ways the way Jesus has loved us?

Persue the goal of becoming a community of love, joy and acceptance

Make the way of Jesus the foundation of our life together?

Provide spiritual protection for praying for this family?

I invite you to remain standing as we pray a blessing over this family.

Prayer