Mark is almost 7 months old and is getting so big! He is developing his own little personality and crawling everywhere. We did a special little baby dedication for Alle when she we a few months old and wanted to do something similar for Mark. We invited everyone from both sides of the family and our friends from our life group (church small group), and had it at the Prayer Chapel at Heritage church that overlooks a pond.
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| Granddaddy and Granny Fleetwood |
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| Granddad and Nana Fountain |
It is almost the same as what we did for Alle, but here is a transcript of what was said during the dedication:
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Thank you all for joining us today at the dedication of our son, Mark Edward Fleetwood.
What the bible says about Children:
Psalm 127:3-5:
Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.
This passage shows us that Children are a gift and blessing from the Lord. As with all the gifts from God, some people are given more, some are given less. Some appreciate and adore the gift and some reject or abuse the gift. Our response as christian parents should be thankful for these gifts, love and adore them. Cherish and take care of them and give them the training and teaching that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Proverbs 22:6 says:
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Anna and I are making a public declaration today, in front of our friends and family, that we will do what the Proverb 22 passage speaks of:
-We commit to loving, protecting, and when necessary disciplining Mark as he grows up.
-We commit to teaching Mark the value and importance of Family by loving being actively involved in our extended families.
-We commit to to teaching Mark the value of having Christian friends by having and sharing our lives with our Christian friends.
-We commit to teaching Mark the importance of being a part of the body of Christ by actively loving and serving in and among our church family.
-We commit to teaching Mark the value and importance of the marriage relationship by, as his parents, loving and serving each other as long as we both live.
-Most importantly We commit to teaching Mark the scripture and training him up in the ways of the Lord, and understanding that while we are given stewardship over him for a season she ultimately belongs to the Lord.
Now we ask you as our family and friends to help us maintain these commitments. If you agree with the previously spoken statements and you agree to holding Anna and Myself accountable, but also assisting us whenever it is within your power, to help us follow through with these things would you signify by say “We Will”:
Now the older Mark is going to read the Priestly blessing over the younger Mark:
Numbers 6:24-26
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
Now we are going to have the other grandfather, James, say a blessing or a prayer for Mark.
Clint reads a prayer from the common book of prayers
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Afterwards we had some fruit and cookies for everyone and the kids played outside. It was a very sweet and special that our family and close friends came together for our little buddy mark.
