1Baby Dedication

BABY DEDICATION GUIDEBOOK

Ten Questions to Prepare Your Family to Step into Gods Best

By Pastor Jeff Leake

5Table of ContentsWhat is Baby Dedication?........................................7

:KDWVSHFLFDOO\KDSSHQVGXULQJDEDE\dedication sevice?...................................................8

Why is this step so powerfully important?................9

Whats the difference between baby dedication and infant baptism?................................................11

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:KDWLI,DPDVLQJOHSDUHQWcan I dedicate my child?........................................17

How can I make the most of this baby dedication weekend?.....................................17

What can I expect from Allison Park Church after dedication?.....................................................18

Congratulations!We are so excited for you as you take this step of Baby Dedication. It will be our honor, not only to pray a prayer of blessing over your child, but also to stand with you as you begin this new journey of parenting.

We are committed to your success as a family. Our desire is to make this dedication ceremony a part of your personal and spiritual progress.

I have listed answers to TEN QUESTIONS that most often are asked regarding the baby dedication process. Please read over this dialog. If \RXKDYHDGGLWLRQDOTXHVWLRQVRUQHHGFODULFDWLRQRIVRPHVRUWSOHDVHfeel free to call and ask.

At the end of this booklet, there is an interest form for you to complete and turn in prior to the ceremony. This document is NOT really about qualifying or disqualifying any baby from being dedicated. We want all babies to be dedicated to Gods purpose. This form is more a method for us to interact and make the dedication more personal.

We want to make sure you have read the Guidelines and fully understand the commitment you are making before God.

We encourage you to list your vision and dreams for your child. Select a Bible promise that we can pray over your child (there

are below options listed for you to choose from or you can select one of your own).

Biblical promises to review and potentially select for the dedication.

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Pastor Je! Leake

-HUHPLDK3VDOP Psalm 91 Psalm 112 /XNH

3URYHUEV3URYHUEVPsalm 1$FWV&KURQLFOHV

7TEN QUESTIONS ABOUT BABY DEDICATIONS 1 What is baby dedication?7KHURRWVRIWKLVFHUHPRQ\JREDFNVHYHUDOWKRXVDQG\HDUVWRDPRPHQWwhen a Jewish woman named Hannah was unable to conceive. She FULHGRXWWRWKH/RUGIRUDFKLOGDQGZKHQ*RGDQVZHUHGKHUSUD\HUVKHUHVSRQGHGE\GHGLFDWLQJKHUFKLOGWR*RGVSXUSRVH

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD. And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28

Even Mary has a moment of dedication with Jesus when He was just an infant.

And when Jesus was presented at the 7HPSOHWZRROGHUSHRSOHRIIDLWK6LPHRQDQG$QQDERWKKDGPRPHQWVZLWKWKHEDE\ZKHUHWKH\KHOG+LPSURQRXQFHG*RGVEOHVVLQJRYHU+LPDQGHYHQSURSKHVLHGZKDW+HZRXOGJRRQWRdo and become.

7KLVLVZKDWZHEHOLHYHKDSSHQVGXULQJDGHGLFDWLRQPRPHQW 3DUHQWVSUHVHQWWKHLUFKLOGWR*RGLQDQDFWRIWKDQNVJLYLQJDQG

dedication to Gods purposes. 7RJHWKHUDVDIDPLO\WKH\ZRUVKLS*RG 6SLULWXDOOHDGHUVEOHVVSUD\RYHUDQGGHFODUH*RGVEHVWIRUWKHFKLOG $W WLPHV WKH +RO\ 6SLULW PD\ HYHQ VSHDN SURSKHWLFDOO\about the childs future.)

3DUHQWVDQGWKHLUQHZFKLOGEHJLQWKHLUMRXUQH\WRJHWKHUFRQGHQWWKDWWKH\DUHZDONLQJXQGHUWKHIXOOEOHVVLQJRI*RG

Heres how the dedication moment of Jesus concludes:

Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to

present Him to the Lord. Luke 2:22

$QGWKHFKLOGJUHZDQGEHFDPHVWURQJ+HZDVOOHGwith wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

Luke 2:40

8 2:KDWVSHFLFDOO\KDSSHQVGXULQJDEDE\GHGLFDWLRQ service?$WVRPHSRLQW LQ WKHVHUYLFHZHZLOO invite parents and their child VRPHZLOOEULQJWKHHQWLUHIDPLO\XQLWonto the platform. The pastor ZLOOEULH\GHVFULEHWRWKHFRQJUHJDWLRQWKHPHDQLQJDQGSXUSRVHRIWKHGHGLFDWLRQFHUHPRQ\DQGJUHHWWKHIDPLOLHVZKRDUHJXHVWVIRUWKLVoccasion.

Then he/she will ask the parents the dedication questions of commitment:

Do you present your child in dedication to Gods purpose?

5HDOL]LQJWKDWQRRQHLVSHUIHFWZLOO\RXGR\RXUEHVWWRPRGHOfor your child a life of obedience to Gods purpose?

$QGZKHQWKH\DUHROGHQRXJKZLOO\RXZRUNWROHDGWKHPWRmake their own decision to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior?

)ROORZLQJWKHFRPPLWPHQWVPDGHEHIRUH*RGDQGWKHFRQJUHJDWLRQthe pastor will take the opportunity to pray over each child EHLQJGHGLFDWHG 'XULQJ WKLVSUD\HUPRPHQWZH OLNH WRproject a picture on the screen of your child VRWKDWWKHFRQJUHJDWLRQFDQJHWDEHWWHUview of who they are and what they look like. So we will ask you to supply a picture of your choice.

'XULQJWKLVSUD\HUPRPHQWWKHSDVWRUmay use the verses you selected to declare Gods promises of their lives. 7KHHQWLUH FRQJUHJDWLRQ LV LQYLWHG WRDJUHHLQSUD\HUIRU*RGVEOHVVLQJWRbe poured out upon their life.

7KHQEHIRUHOHDYLQJWKHSODWIRUP\RXZLOO EH JLYHQ D FRPPHPRUDWLYH JLIWas a reminder of this day when you dedicated your child to the Lord.

9 3 Why is this step so powerfully important?There are several factors to consider:

1. Moments of dedication (in the Bible) often directly precede moments of provision and breakthrough. )RU LQVWDQFHwhen Joshua was ready to lead the people of Israel into the promised land he told them

7KHQH[WGD\WKH-RUGDQULYHUSDUWHGDQGWKHSHRSOHRI,VUDHOmade their way into the promise God had for them. As you GHGLFDWH \RXUVHOYHV DQG \RXU FKLOG WR *RG \RX SRVLWLRQ\RXUVHOYHVWRUHFHLYHWKHEUHDNWKURXJKDQVZHUVWKDW\RXQHHGfor your life and for your childs future.

2. Seasons of agreement in prayer can produce powerful answers from heaven. 'XULQJ WKLV VHUYLFH KXQGUHGV RISHRSOHZLOO EH DJUHHLQJ LQ SUD\HU RYHU WKH OLIH RI \RXU FKLOGListen to the words of Jesus

3. The prayers we pray and the promises we declare will make a difference in the health, protection, direction, and anointing that is on your son or daughter. &ROOHFWLYHO\WKHentire church will use its lips to declare Gods promise to be IXOOOHGLQ\RXUFKLOGVOLIH6RPHWKLQJKDSSHQVLQWKHVSLULWXDOrealm at this moment.

Consecrate yourselves (which means to dedicate completely) for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.

Joshua 3:5

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two

or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:19-20

In Proverbs 18:21 it says, The tongue has the power of life and death.

POWERFUL PROMISES OFTEN PRAYED

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4 Whats the difference between baby dedication and infant baptism?,QPDQ\&KULVWLDQWUDGLWLRQVLWLVFXVWRPDU\WRGRDEDSWLVPRIDQLQIDQWrather than just a dedication. But the Biblical practice of baptism was OLPLWHGWRWKRVHZKRDUHROGHQRXJKWRFKRRVHWRWDNHWKDWVWHSDVDmatter of choice. Baptism is an expression of personal faith in Christ. The dedication service is designed to bless infants and is based on the choice that parents make on their childs behalf.

Whats the same? Parents present their child to God. A pastor prays over that child. 7KHFRQJUHJDWLRQZLWQHVVHVWKHPRPHQWDQGDJUHHVLQSUD\HU

over the child. The Holy Spirit marks this moment in the childs life as a moment

when they were intentionally dedicated to Gods purpose.

Whats different?

The only thing that is different is theology behind the moment. ,Q WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW EDSWLVP ZDV DOZD\V D step of obedience WDNHQE\DEHOLHYHULQ-HVXVWRLGHQWLI\ZLWK&KULVWVGHDWKEXULDODQGUHVXUUHFWLRQ7KHZRUGEDSWL]HPHDQVWRGLSXQGHUPXFKOLNHWKHword capsize means for a boat to tip over).

(YHU\SHUVRQEDSWL]HGLQWKHKLVWRU\RIWKH%LEOHZDVDQDGXOWRUROGHQRXJKWRPDNHDGHFLVLRQIRUWKHPVHOYHVWRWXUQIURPVLQDQGIROORZ&KULVW7KHUHLVQRUHFRUGLQ%LEOLFDOKLVWRU\RILQIDQWVEHLQJEDSWL]HGIt is absent from the early history of the church.

The picture of baptism is all about death, burial, and resurrection. -XVWDV-HVXVGLHGDQGZDVEXULHGVRZHV\PEROLFDOO\EXU\RXUROGOLIHRISDVWVLQDQGGLVREHGLHQFH:HDUHGLSSHGDVDsymbol of death/burial.)

Just as Jesus rose IURPWKHGHDGVRwe symbolically rise out of the water as a declaration of a fresh start and a new life.

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order

that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,

we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

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,Q UHDOLW\ D EDE\ FDQQRW \HW FKRRVH WR LGHQWLI\ZLWK&KULVWV GHDWK DQGUHVXUUHFWLRQEHFDXVHWKH\DUHQRWDZDUH\HWRIZKDWLVKDSSHQLQJDURXQGWKHP7KH\KDYHQRQHHGWRGLHWRWKHSDVWEHFDXVHWKH\KDYHQRW\HWwillfully sinned. There is no need yet to rise to a new life because their OLIHKDVMXVWEHJXQ

$WVRPHSRLQWLQWKHLUIXWXUHZKHQWKH\DUHROGHQRXJKWRFKRRVHWKH\ZLOOFKRRVHWRVLQDQGGLVREH\*RG:HDOOGR$VDUHVXOWWKH\ZLOOQHHGWRUHFHLYHIRUJLYHQHVVRIVLQWKURXJKWKHZRUNWKDW-HVXVGLGIRUXVDOORQWKHcross. When they come to understand the power of the cross and the

opportunity to have new and spiritual life in Christ then they can be water baptized in the Biblical sense of the word.

%XWLQWKHLULQIDQF\WKHEHVWWKLQJZHFDQGRIRUthem is to present them to God in dedication DQG WR SUD\ *RGV SRZHUIXO EOHVVLQJ GRZQXSRQ WKH EHJLQQLQJV RI WKHLU OLIH This is actually the most historically accurate and Biblical consistent practice of baptism and dedication.

6RPHSDUHQWVKDYHDVNHGZKDWDERXWP\FKLOGVVRXO",IWKH\GLHDWDQHDUO\DJH*RGIRUELGDQGDUHQRWEDSWL]HGZLOOWKH\JRWRKHDYHQ"The Bible seems to indicate that children are under Gods grace prior to the age where they can be held accountable for their own sin.

.LQJ'DYLGVFKLOGGLHGLQWKHUVWZHHNRIKLVOLIHDVLVUHFRUGHGIRUXVLQ6DPXHO'DYLGGHVFULEHVWKHHWHUQDOGHVWLQ\RIKLVGHFHDVHGson.

7KHSKUDVH,ZLOOJRWRKLPLPSOLHVWKLVidea that the boy was in heaven and that one day they would be reunited. ,Q D VLPLODU ZD\ ZH WUXVW WKDW RXUFKLOGUHQ OLYH XQGHU WKH JUDFH RI*RGXQWLO WKH\DUHROGHQRXJK WREHJLQ WRchoose their own way.

So neither dedication nor baptism is necessary to preserve their soul at this moment in their early life. What

LV LPSRUWDQW KRZHYHU LV WKDW WKH\begin their life on earth with the launching moment of being properly presented to God and pointed toward Gods promise and purpose.

While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, Who

knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return

to me.

5 Why is a prayer of blessing so spiritually impacting?'XULQJ EDE\ GHGLFDWLRQ ZH SUDFWLFH VRPHWKLQJ WKDW WKH %LEOH FDOOVspeaking a blessing. This is somewhat of a lost art in our culture. %XWLVDYHU\SRZHUIXOWKLQJWRGRQRW MXVWDWWKLVPRPHQWEXW LQDQRQJRLQJZD\LQWKHOLIHRI\RXUFKLOG

%OHVVLQJ LQYROYHV SLFWXULQJ D positive future for someone else, WKURXJKERWKVSRNHQZRUGVDQGPHDQLQJIXOWRXFKWKDWLVLQDJUHHPHQWZLWK *RGV SURPLVHV IRU WKHLU OLIH H[SUHVVLQJ DQG LQYRNLQJ *RGVpromises over someone else).

It seems that there were some baby dedication moments that Jesus practiced while he was here on earth:

%OHVVLQJLV127WKHVDPHDVSUD\HU,WLVPRUHDdeclaration than a request. It is a bold declaration that pronounces over someone else the SURPLVHRI*RG,WVOLNHDUHSUHVHQWDWLYHRIWKHPLOLWDU\FRQIHUULQJDQKRQRURQDVROGLHURUDNLQJH[WHQGLQJWKHVZRUGWRFRQIHUNQLJKWKRRG

,W GHFODUHV WKLV KHDYHQ VHSDUDWHVyou for a special purpose!... God KDVGHVLJQHG\RXIRUDPLVVLRQRQearth... You are special... May God JLYH\RXYLFWRU\DQGVXFFHVVDV\RXride forth into this battle of life.

7KLV LV VXFK D SRZHUIXO WKLQJ WRGR IRU \RXU FKLOGUHQ RQ D UHJXODUbasis. Place your hands on them DQGGHFODUH*RGVSXUSRVHDQGSURPLVHRYHUWKHPDVWKH\JRRIIWRVFKRRORUJHWUHDG\WRSOD\LQDELJJDPHRUMXVWEHFDXVH\RXZDQWthem to understand the purpose God has for their life.

:H ZLOO SUDFWLFH WKLV EOHVVLQJ PRPHQW LQ D SXEOLF ZD\ EXW ZHHQFRXUDJH\RXWRFRQWLQXHSULYDWHO\GHGLFDWLQJ\RXUFKLOGWR*RGDQGdeclaring Gods best over their life in the future.

And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10:16

6 How to avoid hindering Gods blessing on my family?7KH1HZ7HVWDPHQWWHDFKHVXVVRPHDPD]LQJWUXWKGod has already decided to bless your life. He ZDQWV QRWKLQJ EXW WKH EHVW IRU \RXIRU\RXUPDUULDJH IRU\RXUFKLOGUHQ+H JDYH +LV YHU\ OLIH VR WKDW \RXcould be rescued from your sin and all its consequences.

Gods will is to bless you and your child. He has a plan for you and He LVFKRRVLQJWREDFNXSWKDWSODQZLWKall of the resources of heaven. When you speak blessing over your child, you are agreeing with what God has already chosen. We are DOLJQLQJRXUZRUGVZLWKWKH:RUGRI*RGIRURXUNLGV7KDWDOLJQPHQWUHOHDVHVVRPHWKLQJLQWKHKHDYHQVRQRXUEHKDOI

Consider even the most famous prayer in the Bible. Its called the /RUGV3UD\HU DQG LW WHDFKHVXV WKDWZHQHHG WR DOLJQ RXUZRUGV LQ

prayer with the will of God.

Jesus teaches us to call down the will of God. What God has already willed in WKH KHDYHQV RXU SUD\HUV RI DJUHHPHQWrelease that will to be completed on the HDUWK2XUSUD\HUVRSHQWKHGRRUWRWKHIXOOZLOORIKHDYHQ WREHEURXJKW WREHDUon our situations here on earth. Wow!

7KDWVDPD]LQJYour prayers as a parent can unlock Gods best promises for your childs life here on earth. Such an honor!

*RGVEHVWLVXQORFNHGWKURXJKRXUSUD\HUV,WLVDOVRLQFUHDVHGWKURXJKour 2%(',(1&(. ,QIDFWWKHJUDFHRI*RGRZVLQWKHGLUHFWLRQRIour obedience.:KHQZHREH\WKH:RUGRI*RGDQGGR+LVZLOOZHEHFRPHOLNHDPDJQHWIRU*RGVEOHVVLQJWREHUHOHDVHGLQRXUZRUOG

But the opposite is also true. 'LVREHGLHQFHLVOLNHDFORJLQWKHRZof Gods grace.:KHQZHOLYHLQUHEHOOLRQDJDLQVW*RGV:RUGDQGFKRRVHWRUHMHFW+LVGLUHFWLRQLQRXUOLIHZHEXLOGDZDOODJDLQVWWKHRZRI*RGVJUDFH6R*RGLVWU\LQJWREUHDNWKURXJKWRJLYH+LVEHVWWRXVDQGWRRXUNLGV%XWZHDUHZRUNLQJDJDLQVWWKDWE\RXUOLIHVW\OHof disobedience.

He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us

all how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all

things?Romans 8:32

Our Father in heavenHallowed be your name.Your Kingdom come, your Will be done on earth as it

is in heaven.

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We need to consider some very direct realities. It is impossible to VWDQGEHIRUHDFRQJUHJDWLRQ LQD UHOLJLRXVFHUHPRQ\OLNHGHGLFDWLRQDQGH[SHFW*RGVIXOOEOHVVLQJRQRXUIDPLO\ZKHQZHDUHOLYLQJDOLIHof willful disobedience.

,WZRXOGEHOLNHWXUQLQJRQWKHIDXFHWZLWKRQHKDQGDQGZLWKWKHRWKHUNLQNLQJXSWKHKRVHVRWKDWZDWHUFDQQRWEHUHOHDVHG

Thats what its like for a couple who is Not married, having sex, maybe even living together, and \HW WU\LQJ WR GHGLFDWH WKHLU EDE\ WR *RG DQG DVN IRU *RGVEOHVVLQJ

Living a lifestyle of addiction without repentance. :HUHQRW WDONLQJ DERXW D SHUVRQ ZKR LV WU\LQJ WR EH IUHH DQG LVVWUXJJOLQJEXWRQHZKR LV UHIXVLQJFKDQJH 7KHDGGLFWLYHFKRLFHVZLOOFORJWKHRZRI*RGVJUDFHIRU\RXUIDPLO\

Filled with bitterness, hatred, or rage and yet is unrepentant and proud.7KHVHDWWLWXGHVZLOODOVREHDZDOODJDLQVWWKHRZof Gods best.

Understand you dont have to be perfect to be eligible for Gods blessing. You just have to be humble enough to admit you need help and willing enoughWREHJLQWKHVWHSVWRJHW\RXUOLIHLQOLQHZLWKobedience.

WE WILL DEDICATE YOUR CHILD TO GOD REGARDLESS OF YOUR LIFESTYLE CHOICES.1RRQHLVGLVTXDOLHGEHFDXVHRIKRZWKH\DUHOLYLQJWRGD\:HZDQWWRSUD\IRU\RXUFKLOGDQGDVN*RGWRprotect and bless their life.

But realize this: No ceremony can guarantee Gods blessing. No SDVWRUFDQFRQIHUZKDW*RGLVQRWSURYLGLQJ,I\RXDUHOLYLQJDOLIHRIZLOOIXOGLVREHGLHQFH\RXUFKRLFHVDUHSUHYHQWLQJ*RGIURPUHOHDVLQJ+LVEHVWLQ\RXUOLIH1RUHOLJLRXVFHUHPRQ\LQDQGRILWVHOIFDQUHPRYHWKHFORJWKDW\RXKDYHFUHDWHGE\\RXURZQOLIHVW\OHFKRLFHV

2XU KRSH LV WKDW WKLV VWHS RI GHGLFDWLRQ ZLOO EH D VWHS LQ WKH ULJKWGLUHFWLRQRIKHOSLQJ\RXJHW\RXUOLIHDOLJQHGZLWK*RGVEHVWWe are committed to helping youJHWWKHUH6RLIWKHUHLVDQLVVXHWKDW\RXQHHGWRWDONWKURXJKZHZDQWWRKHOS\RXGHDOZLWKLW

The goal LV WKDWZKHQ \RX VWDQG EHIRUH*RG GXULQJ WKH GHGLFDWLRQPRPHQW\RXDUHFRQGHQWWKDW\RXDUHOLYLQJDOLIHVW\OHWKDW*RGcan completely and totally bless.

7 +RZEDE\GHGLFDWLRQFDQEHDUVWVWHSLQEHFRPLQJ a better parent?3DUHQWLQJ LV REYLRXVO\ RQH RI WKHPRVW LQWLPLGDWLQJ UROHV DQ\ RIXVFDQHYHUOO1RQHRIXVIHHOHTXLSSHGWRGRLWZHOO$OORIXVDUHLQQHHGRIKHOSIURPDQ\VRXUFHWKDWZHFDQJHWLW+HUHVDrecommended approach to JURZLQ\RXUVNLOOVDQGFRQGHQFH

1. Recognize my need for Gods grace dedication is an open declaration before God and a request for His help.

2. Get aligned with His WordWDNHVWHSVWRJHW\RXUOLIHULJKWZLWK*RG7KDWPLJKWPHDQJHWWLQJPDUULHGRUJHWWLQJKHOSIRUsome issue that you need to address.

3. Continue to bless your child every day take time to speak in faith over your child. Claim Gods promises. Pray for them in your personal devotional times. Pray over them before bed RUSULRUWRWKHPOHDYLQJIRUVFKRRO

4. Study VRPH RI WKH JLIWV ZH JLYH WR SDUHQWV GXULQJ WKHGHGLFDWLRQSURFHVVDUH WRROV IRU IXUWKHUKHOS 3DUHQWLQJ LVDVNLOOWKDW\RXFDQJURZLQWR

5. Find a model and seek a coach some of us may have had DJUHDWPRGHORI HIIHFWLYHSDUHQWLQJ LQRXURZQPRPRUGDG6RPHPD\EHODFNLQJWKDW%XWWKHUHDUHPRGHOVRXWWKHUHWKDWyou can observe and learn from. Maybe you could even seek them out and ask them to coach you when you have a need.

6. Join a small group QGLQJ IULHQGVZKR DUH RQ WKH VDPHMRXUQH\LVDOVRKHOSIXO7KHUHLVDJURXSGHVLJQHGVSHFLFDOO\IRUPRPVFDOOHG0236PRWKHUVRISUHVFKRROHUV*URXSVOLNHWKLVFDQDGGDGLPHQVLRQRIVWUHQJWKDQGVDQLW\ WR WKHHDUO\years.

7. Stay focused on the goal ZKHQ OLIH JHWV WRXJK DQG RXUFKLOGUHQDUHH[KDXVWLQJXVZHWHQGWRORVHIRFXVRXWRIIDWLJXH'XULQJ WKRVH PRPHQWV ZH QHHG WRSRLQW RXU SDUHQWLQJ FRPSDVV DW WUXHnorth What is that? The goal is to raise GREAT CHILDREN. We are ZRUNLQJ WRVHH WKHPEHFRPHJUHDW LQHYHU\ZD\FKDUDFWHUVNLOOVSXUSRVH

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and result. 8 What if I am a single parent, can I dedicate my child?ABSOLUTELY!!!,QIDFWEHLQJDEOHWREHVXUURXQGHGE\\RXUFKXUFKIDPLO\DV\RXEHJLQWKHMRXUQH\RISDUHQWLQJLVDYHU\LPSRUWDQWWKLQJWRGR,WLVDIDQWDVWLFV\PERORIWKHUHDOLW\WKDW\RXDUHQRWGRLQJWKLValone.

0DQ\VLQJOHSDUHQWVZLOOKDYHVRPHRQHFRPHDQGVWDQGZLWKWKHPRQWKHSODWIRUP,WPLJKWEHRQHRUERWKRI\RXUSDUHQWVRUDVLEOLQJRUDVPDOOJURXSOHDGHURUDIULHQGFeel free to make this moment one WKDW\RXIHHO\RXFDQFHOHEUDWHZLWKFRQGHQFH

9 How can I make the most of this baby dedication weekend?1. Prepare SpirituallyDIWHUUHDGLQJRYHUWKLVERRNOHWDQGOOLQJ

out the interest form discuss the spiritual implications of this GHGLFDWLRQPRPHQWZLWK WKRVHFORVHVW WR\RX %HJLQ WR WDNHVWHSVWRJHW\RXUOLIHLQOLQHZLWK*RGV:RUGVRWKDWZKHQZHpray over your child the faucets of heaven can be turned on full blast.

2. Consider a day of fasting and prayer maybe on the Friday SUHFHGLQJ WKH GHGLFDWLRQ VHUYLFH WDNH DPHDO DQG IDVW DQGSUD\IRUWKHUHOHDVHRI*RGVSRZHUDWWKLVVLJQLFDQWPRPHQWwhen hundreds of believers will pray over your child.

3. Plan the celebration moments like this are a fantastic time to have a party and mark this moment with family. So plan DSRVWVHUYLFH JDWKHULQJ RI VRPH W\SH WR FRPPHPRUDWH WKLVtime.

4. Invite your friends and family to church we would love to SURYLGH\RXLQYLWDWLRQVWRVHQG,I\RXZDQW MXVW OHWXVWNQRZKRZPDQ\ :HSURPLVH WKDWZHZLOOGHVLJQ WKHVHUYLFHZLWK\RXUJXHVWVLQPLQGDQGWKDWWKHWRSLFVWDXJKWZLOOEHUHOHYDQWto their lives. This may be the one moment where your family is most likely to attend church with you. We want to make the most of this opportunity for you.

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10 What can I expect from Allison Park Church after dedication?:HZDQW WREHSDUWQHUVZLWK\RX LQ UDLVLQJDGREAT\RXQJPDQRUwoman. We want to stand with you in your journey as a parent.

1. Childrens and Youth MinistriesDYDLODEOHIURPQXUVHU\WKURXJKDJHZLWKVHYHUDOSDVWRUVRQVWDIIGHYRWHGWR LQYHVWLQJLQ\RXUchildren.

2. Tools, Teachings, and Resources we also want to be a source RIKHOSLQKRZWRGROLIHDQGUHODWLRQVKLSV2XUZHHNHQGVHUYLFHVVPDOOJURXSVDQGUHVRXUFHFHQWHUDUHDOOGHVLJQHGWREHDSODFHof practical support.

3. Pastoral Care, Prayer, and Coaching if you ever need to talk WKURXJKDQLVVXHQHHGSUD\RUZDQWVRPHFRDFKLQJRXUVWDIILValways available to you.

Allison Park Church Baby Dedication Information Form The purpose of dedicating your child to the Lord is two-fold in nature; both to present your child to God and to present yourselves to God

for the help that you will need as parents to raise this child.

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I have read the Baby Dedication Booklet and understand the purpose of the ceremony.

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,KDYHDOLIHVW\OHLVVXHWKDWLVQRWDOLJQHGZLWK*RGV:RUGDQG,would like to talk to a pastor about what steps to take next.

,KDYHDOLIHVW\OHLVVXHWKDWLVQRWDOLJQHGZLWK*RGV:RUGEXWI am QRWZLOOLQJDWWKLVWLPHWRDGGUHVVLW,ZRXOGOLNHWRJRDKHDGZLWKWKHdedication ceremony anyway.

,DPDIROORZHURI&KULVWDQGKDYHSUD\HGDSUD\HUDVNLQJ-HVXVWREHmy Savior and Lord.

,DPQRWFXUUHQWO\DIROORZHURI&KULVWEXW,ZRXOGOLNHWRWDNHWKDWVWHSto invite Him to be my Savior and the leader of my life and family.

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Please provide additional comments if necessary. Please submit a picture of your baby that we will display on the overhead VFUHHQGXULQJ\RXUEDE\VGHGLFDWLRQ

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