Dedication of Huxley Daniel Sorochan

In the name of Jesus Christ,

we [extend a special] welcome today to Colleen and Jeremy and to their son Huxley Daniel, his big sister Gracelyn, as well as to any friends and family who have joined us for this occasion.

Jeremy and Colleen have come here to thank God for the gift of Huxley and to seek God’s help in his upbringing.

Their [extended family, some of whom are here today] will promise to help and support them as their child grows older.

We as members of this church, will promise that there will always be a place for children here.

Then we will ask God’s blessing on Huxley, and pray for him, for the church’s work with children, and for children in need throughout the world.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Living Lord, You are the source of all life. No one is born and no one dies without Your knowledge or outside your love. We thank you for the birth of Huxley, for his new life and all the potential which rests in him.

We also thank You for the love which brought his to life and which continues to surround him today.

We know how much he depends on those who care for him, how frail and small he is.

But we believe that You will give his parents and family all the wisdom, patience and skill which they need.

We thank you for all the gifts and talents which will be revealed in Huxley as he grows older and present him to You now with all our thanks and praise.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 10:13-16

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

CHURCH PROMISES

Do you, the members and friends of this church, promise that there will always be a place for children here and that you will play your part in bringing our children to a knowledge of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Saviour?

If you do promise this, then please stand.

FAMILY PROMISES

The family are invited to stand. A selection or all of the following may be used

Do you thank God for the gift of Huxley and do you trust God to help you as parents as you care for him? We do.

Will you try, with God’s help, to share with Huxley your understanding of the Christian faith? We will.

Will you bring him up within the community of the church? We will.

Do you promise to surround him with goodness, love and respect? We do.

[The minister then addresses the wider family:]

Will you, as members of Huxley’s family, help Colleen and Jeremy as they bring up Huxley, and will you promise to surround him with all that is good and true? With God’s help, we will.

BLESSING

[The minister receives the child, may lay a hand on the child’s head, and says]

Huxley, you are one of God’s children and your name is written in the palm of His hand. The blessing of God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with you today and always. Amen.

[The congregation greets the child by clapping, or in some other way.]

MEETING THE CONGREGATION

[The children of the church may be invited to come forward and greet the child who has been presented. They may bring gifts as a sign of welcome and later accompany the minister and child around the church.]

Huxley, these are your friends and family. You are a gift to them and a sign from God that we must all come as little children, with empty hands and open hearts.

Come and meet them, that they may thank God for you.

[The minister, accompanied by the church children, walks around the church so that all may see and greet the child. Returning to the front of the church, the minister returns the child to the parents, and continues in prayer.]

Usually - a gift but this morning, we are happy to report that the gifts given to celebrate Huxley’s arrival have resulted in a gift given to Kapsowar Mission Hospital… (Gerhard & Janie) You can still give towards that if you missed out on participating in that earlier in the summer.

PRAYER

Prayers may be offered for the family, for the children of the church and for children in need everywhere, extempore or as follows

Faithful God, in faith and hope we entrust to you this child’s future life as it stretches out before him.

Protect him in moments of danger. Reassure him in moments of doubt. Strengthen him as he passes from childhood to youth and from youth to the life of an adult. Surround him with your love expressed in people who will care for him, and give him those with whom that love can be shared. And grant that when understanding comes he may confess you as Lord and saviour in the waters of baptism.

Amen.

(Kids cards?)

Greeting - take a few moments now to say hello to someone you’ve not had a chance to see yet today or maybe for awhile.

A video will play and when the video ends, we’ll take out seats again and Judy will come and read the scripture.