Sermon Tone Analysis

An Order of Service for Presentation of Children and Dedication of Parents

Child Dedication

Ryan & Ashley Hartwig

Jonas Ronald,

Timothy Christopher

Selah (Sayla) Joy

Dawie & Alana Smit

Hailey Smit

Introductory Remarks to the Congregation

At this point in our worship of God, we give particular attention to God’s gift of children.

These Parents Ryan & Ashley along with Dawie & Alana, wish to pre- sent their children to God in the presence of his people, to dedicate themselves to provide a home of 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 these children 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:

• “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Matthew 18:5.

“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.’

And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.”

Commitments by the Parents

Ryan & Ashley Hartwig

Jonas Ronald,

Timothy Christopher

Selah (Sayla) Joy

Pastor: Ryan & Ashley 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 your children?

Parents: We do.

Pastor: Do you commit yourselves to instruct your children in the teachings of Jesus Christ, to read the Word of God regularly, and to pray both with and for your children?

Parents: We do.

Pastor: Do you intend to raise up your children in the church family, with the prayer that, in due time, your children may receive Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and Lord?

Parents: We do.

You have chosen the following verses for your family

Commitments by the Congregation

These parents are relying upon us, as God’s people, to support and help them to raise up these children in the faith.

This means writing words/verses of encouragements, volunteering when appropriate in the nursery; teaching in ministries; 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?

Corporate Prayer

Loving Father, we your people pray for Ryan & Ashley and these children.

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.

Blessing for Each Child

Jonas Ronald,Timothy Christopher, and

Selah (Sayla) Joy, may the Lord bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

Amen.

I will now pray a prayer of blessing and laying on of hands along with your tribe and the church Elders.

Commitments by the Parents

Dawie & Alana Smit

Hailey Smit

Pastor: Dawie & Alan you have brought your daughter to be blessed today.

Will you commit yourselves to raising her 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 your children?

Parents: We do.

Pastor: Do you commit yourselves to instruct your children in the teachings of Jesus Christ, to read the Word of God regularly, and to pray both with and for your children?

Parents: We do.

Pastor: Do you intend to raise up your children in the church family, with the prayer that, in due time, your children may receive Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and Lord?

Parents: We do.

You have chosen the following verses for your family

Commitments by the Congregation

These parents are relying upon us, as God’s people, to support and help them to raise up these children in the faith.

This means writing words/verses of encouragements, volunteering when appropriate in the nursery; teaching in ministries; 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?

Corporate Prayer

Loving Father, we your people pray for Dawie & Alana and Haliey along with her siblings.

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.

Blessing for Each Child

Hailey, may the Lord bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

Amen.

I will now pray a prayer of blessing and laying on of hands along with the church Elders.

Corporate Encouragements