Child Dedication
An opportunity for new parents to focus today on what will affect their child's future the most.
CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of your child! In the midst of all that is changing in your home with the addition of your new baby, we invite you to take a moment to focus on what really matters most.
No one will have more influence on your child than YOU! We believe that what happens at home is more important than what happens at church. It is our hope that we can partner with you from the very beginning. We want to be your biggest fans, your strongest supporters, and your trusted guides as you raise your child to know what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Child dedication is more than an event. It is an opportunity for you to take some time at the beginning of your journey as a parent to really think about what will matter the most in the life of your child - to really talk together and decide what you value and what you can do today that will have the greatest impact on your child’s future.
“Children are a gift from God.”
Psalm 127:3
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What you can expect at the celebration
The dedication will take place during a Sunday morning service. We will invite you to join us up on stage (please leave additional children down with relatives or friends). It usually happens about 10 minutes into the service – so be sure that your guests are on time. We will introduce you and your child. We will lead you in a prayer of dedication.
Preparation
Child Dedication is about a commitment to put God first in your home and to trust in Him as your source of direction as you lead your family and parent your child.
There are some parenting messages that we feel will really help you start right now—at the beginning—to do the things that will truly matter the most to you and your child in the future. These early years are incredibly important. Watch our parenting series - Family Values. This is an investment of time that you will never regret.
Not Infant Baptism
This event is not infant baptism. We believe that when people are old enough to understand what it means to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, they should have the opportunity to make the choice to be baptized. An infant is not able to understand sin, forgiveness, the sacrifice our Saviour made for us, and what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This event is about your commitment as a parent to lead your child into a growing relationship with Jesus Chris. As your children get older, you are able to guide him and to help him understand what that means.
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“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful”
Psalm 139:13-14
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“These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and get up.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7