[phnom penh home church: december 2012]
We were filled with joy to dedicate our Ezra Sparrow with our home church community here in Phnom Penh. Just like with our Cedar, we felt that it was important to say out loud, in the presence of our community of believers, that are we are grateful for the gift that Ezra is to our family, and that on our own, we are completely insufficient for the task of raising her. We are now, and will continue to be, dependent on the grace & wisdom of God and the love & support of the church (in whatever form that takes for Ezra in the years ahead), in our endeavor to raise her well. We are so thankful that she was born into this beautiful community & pray that she will find shelter & encouragement in the body of Christ her whole life long.
[dedicating our sparrow, as captured by julia's iPhone: may 2013]
A Reading of Dedication
Ezra Sparrow Talstra
Leader: Daniel and Amanda, God has given you the beautiful gift of a child.
Amanda and Daniel: We joyfully accept His gift.
Group: We join you in thanksgiving
Group: We join you in thanksgiving
Leader: This gift is also a great responsibility.
Amanda and Daniel: With God's grace, we accept this responsibility. We will depend on God to love Ezra unconditionally, to have patience with ourselves and with her, to care for her well, and to accept the help of our community.
Group: As your church community in Cambodia, we will help. We will happily hold Ezra, change diapers, read stories, and most of all have grace with you as you learn about caring for your children.
Leader: Jesus said: let the little children come to me. [Luke 18:16]
Amanda and Daniel: We commit to teaching Ezra about Jesus, and living in a way that demonstrate to her God's peace, compassion, generosity and service.
Group: On behalf of your future church and communities as Ezra grows, we will also provide Christ-like examples to Ezra.
Group: Daniel and Amanda, Don't you see that children are God's best gift; the fruit of the womb, His generous legacy? O, how blessed are you, parents! [Psalm 127:3-4]
Amanda and Daniel: We prayed for this child. And now we give you, Ezra, to the Lord.
Everyone: Amen!
Amanda and Daniel: With God's grace, we accept this responsibility. We will depend on God to love Ezra unconditionally, to have patience with ourselves and with her, to care for her well, and to accept the help of our community.
Group: As your church community in Cambodia, we will help. We will happily hold Ezra, change diapers, read stories, and most of all have grace with you as you learn about caring for your children.
Leader: Jesus said: let the little children come to me. [Luke 18:16]
Amanda and Daniel: We commit to teaching Ezra about Jesus, and living in a way that demonstrate to her God's peace, compassion, generosity and service.
Group: On behalf of your future church and communities as Ezra grows, we will also provide Christ-like examples to Ezra.
Group: Daniel and Amanda, Don't you see that children are God's best gift; the fruit of the womb, His generous legacy? O, how blessed are you, parents! [Psalm 127:3-4]
Amanda and Daniel: We prayed for this child. And now we give you, Ezra, to the Lord.
Everyone: Amen!
2 comments:
Daphne and Ryan??
Aha I now see it was 2012 - hence Daphne and Ryan . . .
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