Call to Worship “Surely the Presence”

Would You bless our homes and fam’lies. Source of life who calls us here; In our world of stress and tension Teach us love that conquers fear. Help us learn to love each other With a love that constant stays; Teach us when we face our troubles, Love’s expressed in many ways. 507 “Would You Bless Our Homes and Families”

When our way is undemanding, Let us use the time that’s ours To delight in simple pleasures, Sharing joys in gentle hours. When our way is anxious walking And a heavy path we plod, Teach us trust in one another And in You, our gracious God. “Would You Bless Our Homes and Families”

From the homes in which we’re nurtured, With the love that shapes us there, Teach us, God, to claim as fam’ly Ev’ry one whose life we share. And thro’ all that life may offer, May we in Your love remain; May the love we share in fam’lies Be alive to praise Your name. “Would You Bless Our Homes and Families”

Let us reach beyond the bound’ries Of our daily tho’t and care ‘Till the fam’ly You have chosen Spills its love out ev’ry where. Help us learn to love each other With a love that constant stays; Teach us when we face our troubles, Love’s expressed in many ways. “Would You Bless Our Homes and Families”

Offertory Prayer Giving of Tithes and Offerings

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253 Doxology Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Service of Parent and Child Dedication

After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. They brought the boy to Eli, and she said to him, "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 1:24 and 26-28

Charge to Parents

Pastor: Parents, just as Hannah recognized that her child Samuel was a gift and that he was God’s child and not hers alone, we too gather here today to give thanks for our children and recognize their lives as a blessing from the Lord. Before God formed them in the womb, God knew your child and before they were born, he set them apart for his service.

Now let us join together in dedicating our children and ourselves to the Lord’s service just as Eli and Hannah dedicated Samuel.

Pastor: Just as Hannah raised Samuel in the ways of God, do you promise to raise your child in the kind of Christian home that overflows with love for Jesus and for family? Parents: We do

Pastor: Do you promise to steadfastly teach your child the word of God and help them to understand their need for the Savior? Parents: We do

Pastor: Do you promise to model Christian forgiveness and compassion, to one another within your family and to the community and world at large, and to teach them to have a strong understanding of justice and mercy, always seeking ways to model for them how to be a voice

for the voiceless, a hand to the helpless, and your loving arms for the hurting and hopeless? Parents: We do

Pastor: Pastor: Just as Hannah gave Samuel back to God’s service, do you promise to raise your child in such a way that they may see themselves as ministers in whatever path of life God has destined for them, using their gifts and talents for God’s glory, knowing that even though you cannot always be with them,

the Holy Spirit is there to guard and guide their lives if they put their trust in Christ above all others? Parents: We do

Pastor: And now, having presented your Child in dedication to God, do you also desire to reconsecrate yourselves to Christ, and in the spirit of commitment live your lives, relying on the Grace of God to model the example of Christ for this Child and all who enter your home? Parents: We do

Charge to the Congregation

Pastor: and now as the family of God and these children’s spiritual family, do you recognize that it takes more than parents to raise these children in the ways of the Lord? Bringing up children is a community effort And will you as their Sunday school teachers, Awana leaders, Nursery workers, GA leaders, friends and mentors,

promise to encourage and to help these parents raise their child in such a way that your life and conversations with them always point them towards Jesus Christ? If so please respond by saying “we will” Congregration: We will

Charge to the Extended Family

Pastor: As family, by blood and by marriage, you recognize a bond in Christ that is much deeper than words or actions. The simple act of “being there” and “being family” is immensely important in the raising of this child. Do you promise to determine to always have this child as a part of your life, helping to

raise them from near and afar with prayer and contact, as you are able? Extended Family: We do

Parents: And do you promise as well to let your words and conversations with our child reflect the love of Jesus Christ to them? Extended Family: We do

Blessing

Pastor Anderson: Having heard these vows and sacred assurances, as a minister of Christ, I joyously and with earnest prayer, commend your children to the gracious keeping of our Heavenly Father. Your children will not remember this day; therefore tell them early of the commitment and the prayers made this day on their behalf.

The Lord’s Prayer

In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified In my life, Lord, be glorified today 457 “Lord, Be Glorified”

In my song, Lord, be glorified, be glorified In my song, Lord, be glorified today 457 “Lord, Be Glorified”

In Your Church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified In Your Church, Lord, be glorified today 457 “Lord, Be Glorified”

Children’s Sermon

Special Music “Jesus Loves Me”

Scripture Genesis 21:14-21

“Best Supporting Role” Rev. David Anderson

294 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord ” Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Search me and try me, Master, today! Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now, As in Thy presence humbly I bow. 294 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord ”

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me, I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine. 294 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord ”

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me. 294 “Have Thine Own Way, Lord ”

Benediction

Greet the Family Of God