The psalmist described children as a "heritage of the Lord"--Ps. 127:3--. This phrase "heritage of the Lord" succinctly describes how we view a child-- a gift from God. Matt and Chasta have received such a gift, born of their love for each other. Now Abby has become a part of the network of love and caring in this family.
The birth of a child inspires many emotions within us: awe, because in the birth of a son or daughter we have an opportunity to participate in God's creation in passing on new life to the next generation; sobriety, because of an awareness of the responsibility that is ours to nurture, guide, protect, and train; and hope, because with new life our dreams are renewed that the problems which have plagued mankind so long--hate, fear, suffering, alienation--will give way to a rebirth of hope, faith, and love.
Do you, as parents of this child, understand that the vows you are about to take are binding before God as long as this child shall be under your care and government?
Answer: I do.
Will you, as parents chosen by God for this child, promise before God and this people that you will endeavor to bring this child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, that you will instruct her in the teachings of the Bible and the church? Will you do your best to see that you and your family are in the house of God at the appointed time? Will you teach this child reverence for the church and its work? Will you instruct her in the way of holiness and live a life that will be an example for her to follow? Will you teach her to pray and show forth the worth of prayer and supplication before God? Will you seek to lead her to an early experience with God?
Answer: I will.
Then inasmuch as you have made this covenant with Almighty God and before His people, we now present this child to the Lord in dedication.
The birth of a child places new responsibilities on the father, not only in meeting the child's more immediate needs, but also in his role as the prime provider in the family. Being all that the name "father" implies can be an awesome responsibility.
To you, the father of this child, I give this red flower as a symbol of the rich red blood with which you build and defend the home into which this child has come. Let nothing enter your home that will injure the soul of this child or crowd out the Lord who said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Therefore, let us pray for Matt.
Heavenly Father, as Matt begins this joyful new chapter
of his life, those of us here join to ask that he may have
the guidance and wisdom equal to the task. Give him a
lifework that will fill his days with meaning and will
enable him to provide the food, clothing, shelter, and
other things needful to a family. May his relationship
with Chasta continue to grow so that they can love
Abby healthily. May Matt's relationship with Abby
be endued with those qualities of warmth, acceptance,
gentleness, and strength that characterized Jesus' life, in
whose name we pray. Amen.
The laws of God's world are such that the mother has an intimate relationship with the child from the beginning since she carries it within herself for long months. Perhaps this physical closeness is symbolic of a deep emotional closeness. With the arrival of Abby, this closeness gives way to a new closeness as Chasta too embarks on a new chapter in her life. The term "mother" means more than giving birth to a new life; it also implies all those qualities of caring and loving and strength necessary to help a child grow up straight.
To the mother, I give this white flower as a symbol of the purity of heart with which you have endowed the home into which this child has come. If this child grows up to know God, it is likely to be because you have awakened her faith and nurtured her in the things of God. It is from you that the child gets her first ideas of God and the Saviour. Therefore, let us pray for Chasta:
Our Father, the birth of new life is a joyful mystery that
never ceases to inspire awe. Now that Chasta has
experienced this mystery within herself, we pray for her. We
pray that she will experience your continuing under girding
as she tenderly loves, cares for, and trains the child that
you have given. Grant her patience in those hours when the
frustration of being a mother presses in. Give her wisdom
when confronting the perplexing problems of motherhood. In
the name of Jesus whose compassion for little children is a
model for us. Amen.
Abby, even though, you are unable to comprehend what is taking place here now, one day you will understand. But God is now witness to the renewed dedication of your mother and father to each other, and their mutual dedication to bring you up in the ways of the Lord. Therefore, we dedicate you and pray that as you grow into maturity and as God reaches out to you, you will respond personally to His love and accept Christ and His mission for your life:
Heavenly Father, Matt and Chasta, ask that your grace
shall be with Abby throughout her life. In so doing,
they also dedicate themselves to you as her parents,
asking that they be granted a double portion of parental
wisdom as they rear her in the "nurture and admonition
of the Lord." We also as a church hereby covenant and
dedicate ourselves to support and uphold Matt, Chasta,
and Abby, as well as Aletha, Jake, and Jeremy. For we are in
reality knitted together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Protect Abby from the ravages of hate, war, rejection, and
hunger. But when difficulties do arise, may she grow through
her trials rather than be defeated by them. Even as we love
you because you first loved us, may Abby learn to love
because she was first loved by you, her mother and father, her
grandparents, and all others who come to know her. Amen.
To the child, I give this small white flower as a token of the innocence and purity of soul in the sight of God. My earnest prayer is that when you lose your innocence and the eyes of your understanding are opened, you will see Jesus, whom to see and know is eternal life.
And now, Matt, Chasta, and Abby, may the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine upon you, the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
You could pet the sharks! We didn't, but you could.
It's a polar bear!
