What is a Baby Dedication?
Many Christian churches practice Baby Dedications instead of infant Baptism. A Baby Dedication is a ceremony for babies younger than 2, in which a Christian father and mother make a commitment before the Lord to submit a child to God’s will and to raise that child according to God’s Word and God’s ways. A child blessing is for children older than 2. As a parent, you have the greatest influence in your child’s spiritual upbringing, teaching your child what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus. We are so excited to come alongside you as you begin this parenting adventure.
Responsibilities Involved in a Baby Dedication
Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully until he or she can make a decision on his or her own to follow God. Parents who make this vow of commitment are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God and His Word, and not according to their own ways. Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God’s Word, demonstrating an example of godliness, disciplining according to God’s ways, praying earnestly for the child, and faithfully bringing them to Church.
An Example of a Baby Dedication in Scripture
Hannah dedicated Samuel to God. “And she Hannah made a vow, saying, “O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11 When God answered Hannah’s prayer by giving her a son, she remembered her vow: “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 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 1:26-28 Jesus was dedicated in the Temple. Luke 2:22, “When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.”
FAQs
At TC we ask that your child be under the age of 2. If you have any questions please call the church office at 845-692-2848.
Yes! A Baby Dedication signifies the commitment of parents (including single parents) to do their best to raise their child to be a follower of Christ. Additionally, we highly encourage single parents to dedicate their child as they commit themselves to raise him or her without the presence or partnership of a spouse.
Yes. At TC we allow one set of Godparents participate in the service. We also encourage each family to invite friends and family members committed to supporting the parents to sit in the reserved seating with the family.
On the day of the dedication parents will be asked to arrive 30 minutes prior to the service to be checked in at the Kids Registration Desk where you will meet with a Staff person to go over the service. During the service parents will sit in reserved seating with their family. Parents will then be called to the front of the stage to be prayed over by our Pastor for the baby dedication portion of the service.
Sign up for our next Baby Dedication & Child Blessing service on November 17th.
(Kindly sign up by 11/13/2024)