It is my privilege today to dedicate a beautiful little girl, Gabriella Marie Hollis. Following the example of devout parents of the Bible, Walter and Joni have expressed their desire to present Gabriella to the Lord. This dedication is a sober commitment to responsibly care for that which God has given, and to be prepared to release Gabriella to Christ's work when that time comes.
Jesus demonstrated His acceptance and love for the little children when He said, "'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.' And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them."
Walter and Joni, the primary responsibility for the care of Gabriella, of course, rests with you. The Scriptures say,
~ "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
~ "Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
~ "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Walter and Joni, as you engage in this task with joy and peace, may you earnestly seek the Lord daily for His wisdom - for all the events that will occur in her life, all the decisions to be made, and all the needs to be met. For as James says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that gives to all men liberally..."
May you also, daily give thanks to God for Gabriella and for the joy and love she brings to your home. And as she grows, may you earnestly strive to spend adequate time with her, developing in her a strong moral foundation for life, and an awareness of the Lordship of Christ and His abiding presence.
Gabriella also has the benefit of the influence provided by her extended family. You are being asked to provide backup support for her spiritual training. It is your responsibility to provide a caring, supportive group for this family. I ask you to be faithful in prayer for them, and support their efforts to establish a strong Christian home built on Christian principles. And I urge you to demonstrate a real interest in and concern for Gabreilla as she grows physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
There is another agent of influence represented here today -- the church. And at this time I ask the members of this congregation to stand as evidence of your acceptance of your responsibility. I charge you to do all that you can to provide and support a place of worship in this community where Gabriella may hear the full counsel of God's Word. I urge you to be faithful in providing programs for instruction in discipleship, and to demonstrate affectionate kindness towards all of our children. And I charge you to make a covenant before God, to set an example by your lives, and to maintain an atmosphere in our church which shall inspire Gabriella to desire the Christian way of life.
And now, Walter and Joni, in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses,
~ Do you solemnly undertake to bring Gabriella up in the fear and admonition of the Lord?
~ Do you promise early to seek to lead her to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and serve Him as her Lord?
~ Do you pledge to make your home a "school" for Christian instruction?
~ Do you promise, as far as in you lies, to set before her an example of consistent Godly living? If so answer "I do".
And now, on the authority of God's Holy Word, and as a minister in Christ's church, I dedicate you, Gabriella in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
In that you have dedicated Gabriella to the Lord, He now lends her back to you, that by the grace of God and the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit, you will bring her up in the ways of the Lord. Amem.