Child Dedication Service

Congregational singing: e.g., Jesus Loves the Little Children

Scripture reading: Ps 8:1-2a; Ps 22:9-10; Mark 10:13-16

Address to the Congregation:

Dear Friends,

The family is a divine institution ordained by God from the beginning of time.

Children are a heritage of the Lord –

committed by Him to their parents for care, protection, and training for His glory.

It is important for all parents to recognize this sacred obligation, and their responsibility before God in this matter.

· Moses was trained by his mother, after she gave him to the Lord.

· Hannah recognized that her child, Samuel, belonged to God – and gave him to the Lord after he was weaned.

· Joseph & Mary brought the infant Jesus to the temple, to present him to the Lord.

Today, these parents, in recognition of their sacred duty,

are bringing back to the Lord, the treasure He has entrusted to them.

In doing so, they are publicly acknowledging their responsibility for the nurture and admonition of their child, in the ways of righteousness and godliness.

Meaning of the Child’s Name & Birthdate:

Charge to the Parents:

Do you, ____________________ & _____________________ solemnly promise before God and these witnesses,

that you will – with God’s help and guidance – commit to:

· Bring up this little one in the way of the Lord

· Making use of all the helps that God has given you – e.g., the church family, Sunday School, family devotions, etc.

Answer: [We do]

Charge to the Congregation:

1.) From the commitments you have just heard, do you believe that God is adding this little one to our family?

Answer: [Yes]

2.) Would you open your life to _____________________ , to let God work in your life through this child?

Answer: [Yes]

3.) Are you willing to have God work through each of you, to help _______________ become all that God intends?

Answer: [Yes]

Prayer for the Child:

Then in the name of the Lord Jesus, we present this child ________________________ to you Lord, and ask You to bless him/ her with Your mercy and grace.

[Repeat the Name Meaning & Charges for other children/ families, if more than one child is being dedicated]

Dedicatory Prayer for Parents & Children by the Council of Elders:

None of us know what this child may go through in the days and weeks and years to come.

But we pledge ourselves as a family, to stand by you,

and to allow God to use us to help you all become everything that God desires.

And we believe that the Lord will make us more complete,

through the addition of little ______________________ to our family.

Lord, help us to be faithful and loving, …

Father, we commit …

Congregational singing: e.g., Jesus, Like a Shepherd Lead Us – only verses #1 + #4

Child Dedication

13.8.98