Dedication

What a huge blessing to get to be here on the day of Bryce's and Grayson's dedication!  (Can you believe I forgot my camera at home?! Thanks to Katie for snapping these in the middle of the chaos of trying to get 6 children to smile and stand still at the same time!  No worries, Dad had his nice camera and Aimee was sweet to take lots of wonderful photos of the ceremony.)

It was a beautiful time.  We were so privileged to go forward with Travis and Erin as they lay their precious babies on the altar to show that they belong to the Lord.  I love the beautiful, trusting act of parents dedicating their children to the Lord.

It goes this way, right out of the manual of the Church of the Nazarene...

“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’” (Matthew 19:13-14).

In presenting this child for dedication you signify not only your faith in the Christian religion but also your desire that he (she) may early know and follow the will of God, may live and die a Christian, and come unto everlasting blessedness.

In order to attain this holy end, it will be your duty, as parents, to teach him (her) early the fear of the Lord, to watch over his (her) education, that he (she) be not led astray; to direct his (her) youthful mind to the Holy Scriptures, and his (her) feet to the sanctuary; to restrain him (her) from evil associates and habits; and, as much as in you lies, to bring him (her) up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Will you endeavor to do so by the help of God? If so, answer, “I will.”

Pastor: I now ask you, the congregation; will you commit yourself as the Body of Christ to sup-

port and encourage these parents as they endeavor to fulfill their responsibilities to this child and to assist _____________ by nurturing his (her) growth toward spiritual maturity?

Response: We will.

Pastor: Our loving Heavenly Father, we do here and now dedicate _____________ in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, we humbly pray that You will take this child into Your loving care. Abundantly enrich him (her) with Your heavenly grace; bring him (her) safely through the perils of childhood; deliver him (her) from the temptations of youth; lead him (her) to a personal knowledge of Christ as Savior; help him (her) to grow in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with God and man, and to persevere therein to the end. Uphold the parents with loving care, that with wise counsel and holy example they may faithfully discharge their responsibilities both to this child and to You. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

It is not a "ticket to heaven" kind of thing in our belief system; it is more the parents declaration that they accept the responsibility of being the primary ministers of the Gospel of Christ to their children.  And, the parents commit to do their best--and the family and the congregation commit to helping them--to raise their child(ren) to know the Jesus.  

What an honor to stand with Travis and Erin and declare of commitment to support and help them, in prayer and in deeds.