Baby Dedication 2022

Welcome

Prayer

Explanation of events

Call parents forward with baby for dedication

Thanks for coming/ending with Prayer

Good Morning. Welcome!

We’re gathered here together in the sight of God to dedicate these precious babies to the Lord. Let’s open in prayer.

For those new to this, let me explain the order of events. First, I’ll give you all a brief devotional. Following this I will call the parents with their baby or babies forward for the dedication ceremony. I’ll ask some questions and the parents then answer “we will.” I then ask questions to those who came in support of the parents, such as the grandparents or friends. I will give a prayer of blessing and prayer of dedication. That’s all. We can then fellowship and mingle. At 10:30 we will all go into the sanctuary and sit near the front. After Lisa Collins gives the morning announcements she will call us forward.

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As I was thinking about the importance of this morning’s event and the fact that you parents want your children to grow to believe in and have faith in Jesus and live their lives in obedience to His word, it occured to me that this world is really set against you. The messages of this world are telling you that life is not fair and that you should be angry about it. There are things in life that you just don’t have control over. Should we worry about it? Should we be angry? Should we fight? I’ve experienced job issues over the years that caused me great concern and worry. Has this happened to you? What do you worry about? What about the whole covid situation? It’s really caused some angry confrontations and divisions. Well, what or who can we really trust? I think you know the answer. We can trust God and His word. I happened upon a passage of scripture the other day that really set me straight and I wanted to share it with you all. But first is a warning. I think it’s a difficult passage. Not to understand, but to accept and to follow. The world hates this passage and is actively working to undermine it and tell everyone of us it’s not true. Which verse am I talking about? It’s Habakkuk 3:17-19

Habakkuk 3:17–19 (NET)

17When the fig tree does not bud,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

when the olive trees do not produce,

and the fields yield no crops;

when the sheep disappear from the pen,

and there are no cattle in the stalls,

18I will rejoice because of the Lord;

I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!

19The sovereign Lord is my source of strength.

He gives me the agility of a deer;

he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.

Let’s take this apart. Verse 17 is all negative. It’s like saying, my job is over, I have no paycheck coming in, and my fridge and pantry are empty. But then Habakkuk says in verses 18 and 19, I will rejoice because of the Lord. I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!

Really?

The sovereign Lord is my source of strength.

The world hates this passage and speaks against it every day. And too often I join in the complaint and worry. As your babies grow they are going to mature and start to think and be influenced by the outside. What are you going to teach them? I would suggest Habakkuk 3:17-19.

If you’re having difficulty with this I’d like to suggest a book. As an elder board we are going through it to better ourselves. It’s called. “You Can Change” by Tim Chester. In chapter 5 are four truths we should live by.

You Can Change: God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions 5 What Truths Do You Need to Turn To?

1. God is great—so we do not have to be in control.

2. God is glorious—so we do not have to fear others.

3. God is good—so we do not have to look elsewhere.

4. God is gracious—so we do not have to prove ourselves.

There is a lot to unpack on each of these four truths, but you can get the book and unpack them for yourselves.

It’s now time to proceed with our baby dedication, and I’d like to call up the families one at a time.

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Would Wesley and Eva please come up and present your baby Marianda?

Questioning of Parents – Wesley and Eva Weeks

Will you provide Marianda an opportunity to get to know God and to live in this kingdom that Jesus announced, as she grows up? If so say, “We will.”

Will you do all you can to provide __ Marianda _ a loving, committed, and supportive family?

Will you gradually and intentionally train __ Marianda __ to make wise decisions according to her need at each stage of childhood?

Questioning of Gathered church Family and friends

Will you support these parents, without intruding, as they fulfill these promises? If so, say, “We will.”

Will you help Marianda grow and mature in these ways? If so, say, “We will.”

Do you have anything prepared to say?

I pray for Marianda and Wesley and Eva

Would James & Taylor Maxcy come up and present your babies Owen & Piper?

Questioning of Parents – James & Taylor Maxcy

Will you provide _Owen & Piper_ an opportunity to get to know God and to live in the kingdom that Jesus announced, as they grow up? If so say, “We will.”

Will you do all you can to provide __ Owen & Piper _ a loving, committed, and supportive family?

Will you gradually and intentionally train __ Owen & Piper __ to make wise decisions according to his and her needs at each stage of childhood?

Questioning of Gathered church Family and friends

Will you support these parents, without intruding, as they fulfill these promises? If so, say, “We will.”

Will you help Owen & Piper grow and mature in these ways? If so, say, “We will.”

Do you have anything prepared to say?

I pray for Isaiah, James & Taylor

Would Joel & Jessica come up and present your baby Shiloh?

Questioning of Parents – Joel & Jessica Parron

Will you provide _Shiloh_ an opportunity to get to know God and to live in the kingdom that Jesus announced, as she grows up? If so say, “We will.”

Will you do all you can to provide __ Shiloh_ a loving, committed, and supportive family?

Will you gradually and intentionally train __ Shiloh __ to make wise decisions according to her needs at each stage of childhood?

Questioning of Gathered church Family and friends

Will you support these parents, without intruding, as they fulfill these promises? If so, say, “We will.”

Will you help Shiloh grow and mature in these ways? If so, say, “We will.”

Do you have anything prepared to say?

I pray for Shiloh, Joel & Jessica.

Would Nathan & Katie come up and present your baby Lily?

Questioning of Parents – Nathan & Katie Oxnam

Will you provide _Lily_ an opportunity to get to know God and to live in the kingdom that Jesus announced, as she grows up? If so say, “We will.”

Will you do all you can to provide __Lily_ a loving, committed, and supportive family?

Will you gradually and intentionally train __Lily __ to make wise decisions according to her needs at each stage of childhood?

Questioning of Gathered church Family and friends

Will you support these parents, without intruding, as they fulfill these promises? If so, say, “We will.”

Will you help Lily grow and mature in these ways? If so, say, “We will.”

Do you have anything prepared to say?

I pray for Lily, Nathan & Katie

Blessing:

Psalm 127 (NKJV)

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Prayer of Dedication:

Numbers 6:24–26 (NKJV)

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

Prayer before the congregation

Lord, you have called us to know you, to love you, and to serve you.

You have made us your own and filled us with your grace.

We commit ourselves to be open to your word, to listen to your voice, and to be guided by your Spirit.

We pray, give these parents the wisdom, strength, and courage to trust you, obey you, and walk with you all their days. And we dedicate their babies to you Lord that they would grow in belief and obedience to you alone.

And we also pray for our service now that You will impart your wisdom and peace to all those present and give pastor John the right words that will glorify Jesus and bless your Holy Name.

For it’s in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Babies

Owen & Piper Maxcy - 12 months - Parents: James & Taylor Maxcy

Shiloh Rose Parron, Female, 6 months - Parents: Joel & Jessica Parron

Marianda Weeks 20 month - Wesley & Eva Weeks

Lily Oxnam - 2 1/2 month girl - Nathan & Katie Oxnam