“Let the little children come to me.” Matthew 19:14
Jesus knew what an important gift children are, and how valuable they are to our church family. Child dedications are a way for us to lift up families and their children in prayer, honoring the parents’ commitment to raise their children to know and love Jesus. As a church, we want to encourage and partner with families in this meaningful moment for them and their children.
On November 19, five families dedicated their children. Read their prayers for their children below and join us in supporting and praying for these parents!
The Medas Family
“God is love, truth, guidance, wisdom, honor and respect for me. I want this for Novaleigh. I want her foundation in knowing and loving God to be stronger than anything else. This child dedication means that I will raise her up in the way she should go, and when she is older she will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). I want her to know that she’s never alone in this world and that she will always have God to turn to when she needs Him. In Jesus’s name, amen.
The Resendes Family
"The night that Cassidy was born was a very scary and emotional moment in my life. I was only 28 weeks along and due to what was happening, I knew she was coming. It is also the first time in a long time that I genuinely reached out for God and prayed. I prayed for our safety and at the very least hers. If I had to go in exchange for her life, I was prepared to do that. God answered my prayers that fateful night. When I came to, there she was safe in an incubator ready to go to Boston. Praise God and His love for those who seek Him.
The same can be said for our little Neriah too, we were scared. Even though she was healthy all through pregnancy, our past experiences brought on new and old fears. We prayed and prayed for a healthy baby and for us both to come out on the other side of childbirth. Anxieties were high for me because of my past experience with Cassidy and for my new experience with high blood pressure during Neriah’s pregnancy. So as a family we prayed and held onto our faith in Jesus, that He may see us through and just that He did.
For Jonathan, bringing a new child into the world meant everything to him, this was his first child of his own blood and he wanted to do right by his new baby girl and by God. As a child he always felt forced to go to church but in the end he was glad that his mom loved him so much that she wanted him to have a relationship with Jesus. For him that set the foundation on which his own faith grew as an adult. Now as a father he has that same responsibility that his mother did and he wants to make that promise to God today to raise his child in the faith, to have a relationship with Jesus so that she may take that firm foundation along with her into adulthood as well, that no matter what, even if she falls away, she can find her way back to God, always.
We want to show our gratitude and love to God for always answering our prayers by dedicating our children to Him. So that they may know His everlasting love too and spread the knowledge of Christ. We will raise our children to become adults that know and exhibit the love and generosity of our savior, Jesus Christ.
I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. - 1 Samuel 1:27
The Roman Family
Lord Jesus , Good Father in Heaven
"Children are a gift from the Lord…(Psalm 127:3)”
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father (James 1:17).”
I thank you God for William. Before I was ever a father You were Williams' Heavenly Father. Before he was conceived You formed him. Before he was born You held him. When I see William I see my baby , when you see William You see Your Son; an image bearer who's perfectly loved and adored in a way I could never imagine. I'm hopeful because of the dreams I have for who he will become in this life but You Lord are faithful to secure Williams' place with you in the next. While I would give my life to save his , You love him so much more Jesus that You paid in blood the ransom for his sin and in Heaven You wrote his name in the book of life before You created the world.
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13)"
William, this is what I pray for you —
“My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right (Proverbs 23:15-16) ; Listen to your father and mother who gave you life. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice; My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways (Proverbs 23: 22-26); Be an imitator of me, as I am of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1)."
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:5-7). My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:11-12)."
So William "do not neglect the gift you have, which was given to you( 1 Timothy 4:14)."
"The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)”
“Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15) "
The Runyan Family
“Lily, you are the long-awaited answer to the prayers of our family. God has already used your life to teach us patience, trust, and hope. It is our great joy and honor to be parents to you and your brother. We pray that you would walk with Jesus all your life.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope. … when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
– Jeremiah 29:11-13
In Jesus beautiful, glorious and all mighty name Amen.”
The Whiffen Family
“Heavenly Father, Thank you for blessing us with these three amazing children. Please provide them with the foundation of faith that will serve them throughout their lives. Show us as parents how we can best foster their relationship with you. Provide this church with the tools, resources, and people that can support our family along the way. Amen.”
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” – Numbers 6: 24-26