Baby Dedication - Liam Walker Francis

The Word of God Tells Us that Children are a gift from God.

Psalm 127:3 ESV

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

As believers we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God.

God in his goodness gives children as gifts to parents.

They not only have the awesome responsibility of caring for this gift, but also the wonderful privilege of enjoying the gift.

Because children belong to God and are given by grace as gifts to parents, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to God.

Charge to Parents - Stephen & Dr. Johanna Francis

By this statement of faith, we will ask the following questions of your commitment to raising Liam in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Please respond with: “We Do.”

Do you today recognize your child as the gift of God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing?

Do you now dedicate your child to the Lord who gave them to you all, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?

Do you pledge as parents that, with God’s fatherly help, you will bring up your child in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the Word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives?

Do you promise to provide, through God’s blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your child, looking to your own heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?

Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that, by God’s grace, your child will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?

Charge to God Parents

Dr. Andrew Gordon, you have accepted Stephen & Johanna’s request for you to be a godparent to their child. I have a series of questions to ask you, and please affirm your

desires by answering each of them, “I WILL”

In accepting this role, will you regularly pray for Stephen, Johanna & Liam?

As Godparents, will you conduct your lives in a way that reinforces the biblical values that Jackson is taught in his home?

If in the future Stephen & Johanna are not able available for Liam, will you do everything in your power to help him follow Christ?

Charge to Congregation/witness'

Church Family, today Stephen & Johanna are bringing Liam into God’s presence to be dedicated to Him.

By your support today you signify that it truly takes a village to raise a child, and I will ask all of you the following questions of your commitment to being that village that supports Stephen & Johanna with raising Liam in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

Please respond with “We Do!

Do you as a church family/community commit to surround them with the Love, Grace and Truth of the Body of Christ Jesus; will you stand with them in prayer, speak the truth in love into their lives, serve them in humility and encourage them in the Word of God & Do you receive Liam as a blessing from the Lord to be instructed, protected and blessed in this fellowship of believers?

Prayer of Dedication

The inherent meaning of Liam is "strong protector" or "warrior."

In the the spiritual connotation it means "God is my light" or "bringer of light."

Our prayer for Liam is that he would embody God's strength and protection, shining His light through his life.

Our hope is that Liam grows in his love for the Lord Jesus Christ and dedicates himself to advancing the Kingdom of God with courage and purpose.

Prayer