Parent-Child Dedication
In Mark 10:13-14 we read, People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Among other things, this passage clearly shows us that children matter to God. In fact, I believe that God loves your child even more than you do - as hard as that may be to believe!
In our Parent-Child Dedication, we acknowledge this love of our Lord for children as we publicly present our children to him, dedicating them to him and his kingdom. In addition, we present ourselves as parents, committing ourselves to fulfill our God-given parental responsibilities. During the dedication, parents will be asked to publicly affirm the following questions:
In today's turbulent world, parents desperately need help raising their children. Through involvement in our Parent-Child Dedication, parents are acknowledging this need. And it is our desire as a congregation to assure parents that not only is God always ready to help, but our church family stands with them as well.
(For older children, it is appropriate that when they have trusted Christ for salvation, they should follow the Lord in Baptism)
If you are interested in taking part in an upcoming Parent-Child Dedication, please contact the Church Office.
In our Parent-Child Dedication, we acknowledge this love of our Lord for children as we publicly present our children to him, dedicating them to him and his kingdom. In addition, we present ourselves as parents, committing ourselves to fulfill our God-given parental responsibilities. During the dedication, parents will be asked to publicly affirm the following questions:
- Will you commit to seek to live in such a way that your child will witness in you a consistent (not perfect!) pattern of the Christian life which will serve for him/her as an incentive to live for Jesus Christ? (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15)
- Will you commit to remember at all times that your child, as all others born into this world, is in need of salvation.
- Will you commit to teach your child about his/her need for personal salvation in Christ, and strive to encourage him/her to accept Christ as Savior and Lord. (Psalm 51:5; 1 Corinthians 15:22).
- Will you, in love, put the spiritual and moral welfare of your child above all selfish and personal consideration, knowing you are accountable to God? (Ephesians 6:1-4)
- Will you strive to pray for your child, guide, guard, and keep your child to the end that God who gave him/her to you might be glorified in and through your child's life now and for all eternity? (Psalm 127)
In today's turbulent world, parents desperately need help raising their children. Through involvement in our Parent-Child Dedication, parents are acknowledging this need. And it is our desire as a congregation to assure parents that not only is God always ready to help, but our church family stands with them as well.
(For older children, it is appropriate that when they have trusted Christ for salvation, they should follow the Lord in Baptism)
If you are interested in taking part in an upcoming Parent-Child Dedication, please contact the Church Office.