Yesterday I shared our dear friend's good news regarding their adoption finalization which lead me to reminisce the day our boys were finally "our" boys, records were sealed and it could never be undone. What a sense of relief. It was far more than a name change because following our court date we held a ceremony and reception at our church for an adoption dedication to seal our commitment to our children with an unbreakable promise before God.
When we adopted our children they were no longer babies, but we wanted to celebrate their arrival into our family in the same way that we would have years earlier. You haven't ever been to an adoption dedication? Neither had we, but we had attended several baby dedications. We took what we had seen, what we felt in our hearts and a little internet research to compile the below script.
Feel free to use the below script. The only thing that I ask is that you leave a comment regarding your story.
(Come back tomorrow for the Candle Lighting Ceremony)
Older Child(ren) Dedication Ceremony Before the
Congregation
Dedication of [child’s name] and [child’s name]
[Date]
Pastor: In Ephesians, we read, "His
unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family."
Following God’s example, you are bringing [child’s
name] and [child’s name] before God and this congregation to recognize their
adoption into your family and your commitment to them. You are also dedicating
to God and His service these children whom God has given into your care.
By this act, you show your faith in the Christian
religion and your desire that your children become consecrated to God. You are
asking that they be supported in prayer by their family and this church family
as they learn to know and follow the will of God and ultimately attain
everlasting life in heaven.
To help follow God, it will be your duty as family
members to teach [child’s name] and [child’s name] the fear of the Lord; to
watch over their education, that they not be led in the wrong way by false
teachings; to direct their minds to the Word of God as the authority for all
mankind; to worship in the house of God; to keep them from friends who would
lead them into bad habits; and with as much strength as there is in you, to
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Will you endeavor to do so with the help of the
Lord?
Family answers: We will.
Mark 10:13-16 NIV: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. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God
like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms,
put his hands on them and blessed them.
Pastor: (Ask the parents the full name
of each child to be dedicated.) Place your hands on the child’s head and say:
“On behalf of your family and this congregation, I dedicate [child’s name] to
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Pastor: Repeat for second child.
Pastor: Closing prayer
Candle Lighting Ceremony
Pastor: May your family always share
the light and love God has given you and those around you.
I may use some of your service format as I dedicate my daughter 's and son in law's two foster and now adopted children. It has a been a long and emotional three year process for everyone but especially for the oldest who is 8. We are so thankful to God that the process has come to an end and that they will part of our family for all of our lives. We pray that soon they will be part of God's family through faith in Jesus.
ReplyDeleteVery warm and loving dedication. Thanks for sharing it with us. I have to perform a service for my daughter whose foster kids have now become her own! I wanted to take a different approach aside from the baby dedication ceremonies I perform. I will use some of your format in our dedication service. Let's keep each other lifted in prayer and thanks again.
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