INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT Welcome, loved ones of Gianna Grace Okeson. It is the privilege of the church to encourage and assist parents in the proper training and development of their children. Therefore, it is appropriate for home and church to unite in this service of dedication for parents and child. The act of dedication is in keeping with the teaching of God’s Word. An example is the dedication of Jesus by his parents. In this service of dedication we are first to give thanks to God for the creation and birth of this child. In the second place, we are to make a solemn promise as parents and as a church that, relying on the grace of God and working together as a home and church, we will endeavor to provide guidance for this child in instruction, discipline, salvation experience and growth in the Lord. In the third place, we are to pray for God’s blessings upon this child, in the presence of his Spirit, remembering how the Lord Jesus Christ took little children and blessed them. And finally, this child will be received into the fellowship of Christ’s Church as she is baptized. PRAYER Let us begin with a prayer. In the name of the Father , and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit...Amen. Almighty God, we call upon You for this child coming to Your holy baptism. Receive her into the arms of Your love and keep her ever in Your watchful care. Give us grace to help her grow in grace, both by our own good example and by instruction in the teachings of the church, and may she remain a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ, to her life’s end. READING OF THE SCRIPTURES We read in Deuteronomy: The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Psalm 103 tells us: The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him, and his righteousness to their children¹s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Gospel of Mark tells us this story about Jesus: And he took a child, and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” PRESENTATION We are here today in communion with nature, in the true House of The Lord , for the purpose of this child's spiritual dedication and baptism in The Lord. We also acknowledge and honor Mr. & Mrs. Okeson, who present their daughter before God and this company. COMMITMENT In presenting your child to the Lord, do you promise in dependence upon God’s grace and upon the partnership of the church, to teach her the truths of the Christian faith, to set a Christian example before her, to bring her up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord, and to encourage her to accept Christ as her Saviour under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? Parents: "We do." PARENTAL PROMISE Andrea and Thomas, by performing this ritual, you are acknowledging that your daughter is more than merely a child of your home. You are acknowledging that she is a child of God and you are expressing your desire and purpose to raise her to the best of your abilities and to instill in her your strong sense of ethics and morals. You have realized that you are her custodians and that you have the privilege and responsibility to care for her in body, mind and spirit, as her own story develops. Through your example, will you teach her to walk in the light of truth, righteousness, and love? Parents: "We will." HONORING THE FAMILY We would like to take this time to acknowledge all family members who are unable to physically be with us on this day. We know that Gianna’s grandfathers, Charles Randazzo and Johnny Mascola are smiling down on us today, beaming with love and pride at their granddaughter’s baptism. I’ m sure also that there are also other family members and friends who because of distance or circumstances cannot be here today. For those loved ones---May their distance be only physical, and may their love for this child bridge the miles between them. There are many special people here who are and will be involved in this precious child’s life: Her parents, Andrea Katherine Okeson & Thomas Raymond Okeson, who present her here today; her brother, Justin Thomas Okeson, who I know will be a friend, a teacher, and a protector to little Gianna throughout her life; and her Godparents, Vanessa Nicole Santoya & Steven Porter, who today take on an important spiritual responsibility--- helping Gianna’s parents with her care and teaching in the ways of The Lord. PRESENTATION And so, as we are here today in communion with nature, in the true House of The Lord , for the purpose of this child's spiritual dedication and baptism in The Lord....I ask now that the Godmother, Vanessa, hold the child, and that the Godfather, Steven, place his hands on the child to present her for baptism. Holy Baptism is a Sacrament by which the recipient is solemnly admitted to membership of Christ’s holy church and grafted into His mystical body. Is it your intention to present this child for this sacred commitment of baptism today? Godparents: "Yes." SCRIPTURE READING A reading from the Gospel of Mark: They brought young children to Christ, that He should touch them; and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased and said unto them, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” And He took them up in His arms, put his hands upon them and blessed them. PRAYER O Christ, our Lord, we humbly ask you to enfold in your protection this little one. Surround her with your spiritual strength and be very near to her so that she may hear your voice and follow your call. Open her eyes to the beauty of the Spirit, and the beauty in all creation. We ask you to inspire her spirit guides and helpers so that they may hold his safety and well-being in truth and under your guidance. Be this child’s companion in play, in sleep, in wakefulness, and in all her growing days; be her friend most dear, to understand, to console, and to bless. Amen. CHARGE TO GODPARENTS You have brought this child here to be baptized and thus received into the fellowship of the Christian Faith. Do you give now your pledge to endeavor, earnestly and in truth, to teach and inspire this little one in the way of life as taught by the master Jesus Christ; to let your example and influence guide her to be upright and honorable before all men; to train her in prayer, in worship, in reverence, and in the knowledge and love of God, through Christ our Lord, and through His ministering angels? Godparents: "We do." BLESSING OF THE WATER May the waters of the Spirit mingle with this water, to consecrate this child of God and keep her pure and holy. Amen. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT O Holy Spirit, come now with your gifts to endow this child, to strengthen and prepare her for the way ahead, so that she may be strong in faith, courageous in spirit, and valiant for the right; that at the last she may hear the loving words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Amen. BAPTISM What name have you given this child? Father: "Gianna Grace." (The Minister then sprinkles water over the forehead of the child three times, saying:) Gianna Grace Okeson, I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. I receive this child into the fellowship of Christ’s holy church. The Minister gives the child back to the godmother and says: Seeing now that this child is grafted into the mystical body of Christ, let us give thanks unto Almighty God and with one accord pray that this child may continue her life according to this beginning. LORD’S PRAYER Now let us all say the Lord’s Prayer. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. BLESSING OF THE CHILD (The Minister places her hand on the head of the child saying) Gianna Grace, go in peace and may the Lord be with you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.... Amen.

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