Child Dedication

Child Dedication

April 29, 2007

Friends, the family is a divine institution, God-ordained from the beginning of human history. Children are a heritage of the Lord committed by him to their parents for care, protection, and training for his glory. It is important that all parents recognize this sacred obligation and their responsibility to God in this matter, and we honor these parents for their desire to do so today.

Moses’ mother, Jochebed, put her son in God’s hands when she set him afloat in the Nile to preserve his life. Samuel’s mother, Hannah, recognized that her child was the Lord’s when she brought him to Eli, the High Priest, to be raised. And Joseph and Mary, in keeping with the Law, also brought the infant Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated to the Lord.

Now Brian and Aimee, recognizing the sacredness of their responsibility, bring back to the Lord the treasure which he has entrusted to them. In so doing, they publicly acknowledge their responsibility for the nurture and admonition of these children in the ways of righteousness and godliness.

Parents’ Promises:

Do you affirm that you are trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior? “We do”

Do you acknowledge that this dedication of your children is not a saving ordi­nance or act, but that your children will need to receive Christ as Savior through a personal decision when they are old enough? “We do.”

Do you promise, with God’s help, to raise your children in the training of God’s Word and the community of the church, to pray with and for them, and to live before them as Christian parents who are yourselves subject to the Lord? “We do.”

Do you promise to avail yourselves of all the means of grace, and to do your utmost to lead your children to a knowledge of Christ at an early age? “We do.”

Parents’ Prayer

To be prayed in unison. The pastor may pray along with them so that the congregation may hear more clearly. Print this prayer on a card so the parents can have a copy from which to read.

Lord, thank you for these children you have given us. We willingly and gratefully give them back to you, dedicating them to your glory and service.

We solemnly promise before you and this congregation that with your help and guidance, and theirs, we will both model and teach God’s Word to them; we will seek to introduce them to Christ; we will pray faithfully for them; and we will be sure we as a family are accountable to other believers in the church.

Heavenly Father, we trust you with these, our precious children. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Pastor’s Dedication Prayer

Our Father in heaven, we ask that you will give wisdom and grace to Brian and Aimee as they face the challenges of parenting. Provide for all their needs as they serve you in this important ministry. We pray for these little ones. As they grows up we pray that they will know and love you and develop into godly women in whom you can be glorified. For Christ’s sake, Amen.

Act of Dedication

Pastor, for each of the girls, place your hand upon her head, making the following statement:

In the name of the Lord Jesus we present this child (Do for each child: Jessica Marie Hunstad, Stephanie Rachel Hunstad and Christine Elizabeth Hunstad) to God, to his protection and to his saving and sanctifying grace.

Congregational Promises

Pastor: Do you solemnly promise before God and one another that, with God’s help and guidance, you will support these parents with your prayers as they seek to fulfill their responsibilities to this child, and do you promise to assist them by providing encouragement, counsel and ministries to guide them in the ways of godliness? If so answer, ‘we do’.

“We do.”

Congregation’s Dedication Prayer ( printed in the bulletin)

Lord, we accept the responsibility of helping to bring these children Jessica, Stephanie, and Christine Hunstad to maturity in you. We will uphold them with our love, teach them the Word of God, pray for them, and encourage them. We will be careful not to bruise these tender children with harsh words, quick judgments or cruel criticisms. These are our children, too, and we pray for the day that each of them comes to know our Savior personally. In the name of Jesus, the Lover of the children, Amen.