Tonight I got a copy of the vows from the dedication service on Sunday. Here they are:
Parents
John and Lexie, will you love and cherish Madeline with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Will you season your love with charity and discipline? Will you raise your daughter to have a strong faith in Christ and teach her to love God, herself, and others?
Brother
Kevin, will you love your little sister Madeline? Will you play with her and help her learn how to be a child in your family? When she is older, will you sit on the blanket with her at church and tell her stories about Jesus?
Grandparents
Will you love Madeline with deep joy and pleasure, in the way of grandparents? Will you let your home be a refuge and yourselves a delight for her? Will you bequeath to her the history of her family and the stories of our faith?
Aunts and Cousins
Will you cherish Madeline and bind yourself to this little girl in the way of aunts and older cousins? Will you enjoy her, laugh with her, and open your hearts to her? Will you be a wise counsel and safe ear for her, a comfort and strength for her?
Friends
Will you gather Madeline into your circle of intimacy and love? Will you hold her in your midst and give her a sacred inheritance of belonging and identity? Will you be a model of God's love, acceptance, and patience?
Church
Will you love Madeline McJilton? Will you be to her like mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers? Will you commit yourselves to teaching her the stories of our faith and showing her what it means to be a disciple of Christ? Will you make church a place of good and holy memories for her?
In addition to these vows my mother gave a couple of blessings:
Our prayer for you, John and Lexie, is that you have teachable hearts and spirits as you raise Kevin and Madeline in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
Our prayer for you, Madeline, is that you never have a day without knowing God's love, that you recognize early your need for the Savior and that you call upon Jesus at a young age, and that you spend your life glorifying God and enjoying His love forever. We love you.
Posted to Church Life at February 25, 2004 9:18 PMNice! Who wrote those?
;-)
Posted by: Gordon at February 28, 2004 9:37 PM