Information Concerning Baby/Child Dedications at First Evangelical Free Church

Congratulations on your desire to dedicate your child to the Lord!  Our church is excited to assist you in this important matter.

Baby/Child Dedication ceremonies are conducted by request.  For new babies, this is usually done within 6-8 weeks of the child being born.  Please contact Pastor Brian to discuss possible dates for a Baby/Child Dedication.  His cell phone number is 930-4000.  Private appointments with the pastor are NOT necessary prior to a baby/child dedication ceremony.  But IF you feel you have lots of questions concerning the significance of this event, OR you feel you cannot honestly answer "yes" to ALL the questions you will be asked OR if you have questions about how a baby dedication is different than an infant baptism, please feel free to call the church office (634-3144) and talk with Annie to schedule an appointment to talk with the pastor.

A Child Dedication Form is to be filled out and turned into the church office on or before the 2 weeks prior to the scheduled Child Dedication service.  Invitation cards (with maps to the church) are available upon request to invite family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives, etc. to this special ceremony that will be held during our regular Sunday morning church services.

During the worship service, the Pastor will invite all parents/guardians and the children they are dedicating to come to the front of the sanctuary.

The Pastor will take the microphone and ask one of the parents/guardians to introduce the child they are dedicating and tell the congregation their name, age and then read the verse they have chosen for the child (see attached list).

The pastor will ask all the parents/guardians present the following questions as a group:

In presenting your children for dedication to the Lord, do you confess your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?  Response: I do.

Do you understand…

1.                  …Your child is a gift from God?   Response: I do.

2.                  …Your child must see God’s love and truth lived out in your life day by day?  Response: I do.

3.                  …You must consistently pray for your child’s spiritual growth and protection for the rest of for the rest of your life?  Response: I do.

4.                  …A healthy marriage relationship with each other is vital to the emotional and spiritual well being of your child?  Response: I do.

5.                  Do you promise to affirm this child in their obedience and show your love for them by disciplining them when they are disobedient?  Response: I do.

6.                  Do you promise to do your best to faithfully* attend church with your child and will you seek to lead your child to a personal faith* in Jesus Christ?     Response: I do.   (*Please note: If you cannot honestly make this promise at this time, we would request that you call and schedule a meeting with the pastor prior to scheduling your child for dedication).

The Pastor will then pray the following prayer of dedication (or something similar) "On the basis of the word of God and the holy resolve of these parents and guardians, we joyfully commend them and their children and the entire church to Christ for his enabling as we attempt to raise his children to know him and love him.  Amen."

The parents/guardians and children will then be dismissed from the platform to return to their seats (and/or to take their children to nursery or Sunday school).

Child Dedication Request Form

IMPORTANT: Turn into the Senior Pastor or church office two weeks prior to Child Dedication Service.  (Fax: 634-7933 or bk@kluth.org or office@1freechurch.org)

Name of mother or guardian (full name):________________________________

Does mother attend 1^st Evangelical Free Church:  ( ) Regularly  ( ) Occasionally  ( ) Never

What was mother’s/guardian’s primary religious background/affiliation while growing up: (e.g. – Evangelical Free, Catholic, Lutheran, unchurched, or ??) ____________________________________________________________________

Is the mother/guardian a born again Christian?  ( ) Yes   ( ) No   ( ) Still considering   ( )Unsure what this means

Name of father or guardian (full name):_____________________________________

Does father attend 1^st Evangelical Free Church:  ( ) Regularly  ( ) Occasionally  ( ) Never

What was father’s/guardian’s primary religious background/affiliation while growing up:(e.g. – Evangelical Free, Catholic, Lutheran, unchurched, or ??)    ____________________________________________________________________

Is the father/guardian a born again Christian?  ( ) Yes   ( ) No   ( ) Still considering    ( )Unsure what this means

Who will participate in the Child Dedication Ceremony?

( ) Both parents/guardians      ( ) Mother/guardian only      ( ) Father/guardian only

Because of the spiritual nature of the questions asked during the Child Dedication Ceremony, it is helpful for the pastor to understand the marital and living situation of both parents/guardians.  Which of the following best describes the parent’s/guardian’s marital and living situation?

( ) Married and living together   ( ) Never married and living together

( ) Never married and not living together  ( ) Divorced  ( ) Separated

( ) Other (please explain:_____________________________________)

Name of child to be dedicated (full name):_______________________  Birthdate:______________

Child’s Dedication Verse (choose from attached list or choose a verse on your own):__________________________

If 2 children are to be dedicated:

Name of 2^nd child to be dedicated (full name):___________________ Birthdate:_____________

Child’s Dedication Verse (choose from attached list or choose a verse on your own):____________  

If 3 children are to be dedicated:

Name of 3^rd child to be dedicated (full name):______________________  Birthdate:_____________

Child’s Dedication Verse (choose from attached list or choose a verse on your own):______________

How many Child Dedication invitation cards/maps would you like so that you can invite family, friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors, etc. to this special service?  #_________

Home/Phone Info for: ( )Both Parents/Guardians   ( )Mother/Guardian Only     ( )Father/Guardian Only

Address:___________________________________________  Home phone #:_________________  

If applicable: His Work Phone:___________________  Her Work Phone:________________  

Fax #:_______________________

Email:_____________________________