The word dedication means to consecrate or the act of setting apart people or things for the purposes of serving God.

In the Old Testament we see how Hannah prayed for a child and promised God that the child, Samuel, would be given to the Lord all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:11, 28). In the New Testament we see how Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to present Him to the Lord (Luke 2:22).

These parents took this act very seriously and were making a commitment in presenting their children to the Lord. Bringing a child before the Lord is not a secret formula for keeping them from ever experiencing harm or pain.

It is a commitment of the parents to do their part in raising the child before the Lord.

Just as the Nazarite children in the Bible has set boundaries and lived their lives set apart to God from birth (Judges 13:5), so parents today - through baby dedication - commit to a lifestyle of raising their children separated from the world and its values.

What kind of commitment am I making?

As parents you begin by publicly acknowledging your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As you present your child to God in the presence of the pastor and congregation, you are recognizing that they belong to Him and have been born to experience His love and to serve Him.

You are committing, as Christian parents, to teach the truths of God's Word in your home and participate in regular worship with you children. You are also committing to be a Christ-like example and seek to lead your children to a personal faith in Christ as soon as they are ready

If you would like to find out more about our baby dedication ceremony, please contact our church office at (617) 661-3660.