I've been thinking of which church should I have my son Luis's child dedication. I'm a member of Word of Hope Church in North Edsa and my hubby is a member of Bread from Heaven Ministries in Paranaque. We could have plan it in either of the two fellowship churches however, we have moved from Makati to Pasig early this year.
We started looking for a new church where we could call our new haven where we can grow spiritually as christians. We tried attending worship services at CCF Christ Commission Fellowship at the 5th Floor of St. Francis Square Bldg, Ortigas.
We were on our 5th time of attending this huge church (as in huge they like have 1,500 seats filled every sunday) I have decided to inquire about their child dedication schedule and requirements. Unfortunately, we cannot have Luis child dedication on that church we were told that we need to be a member of the church and needs to be in a discipleship group like a cell group before we can have Luis dedicated to God.
I was a bit upset when I hear that, Ms. Fifi saw a wry smile on my face as I ended my conversation with her. I keep on thinking for a contingency plan as we headed home I have already made reservations (reception, photo coverage, baby registry) I already bought sponsor tokens etc. I'm just about to distribute invitations in less than a week... =(
It was my bad for not prioritizing looking for a church first I was complacent that CCF will welcome my family and have my son dedication so easy eventhough we were just new at the church. I was expecting that fellow christians from other church organization are welcome and can have a privilage of having church services like child dedication as such.
I tried calling up friends, family members, pastors for help. We still have two chances there's VCF Victory Christian Fellowship in Robinson's Galleria (where tita Coney Reyes used to attend) and GCF in Ruby St. just at the back of Galleria near The Podium. I've asked Pastor Nanding Alconga if he could ask GCF about their child dedication and same thing with VCF. However, VCF also requires membership and discipleship before we can have a child dedication. I still have yet to receive a reply from Pastor Nanding but he already have told me to be ready for a membership in case we will be required as well.
I have nothing against signing up for another fellowship to begin with, I would love to be a part of them (VCF,CCF & GCF) but I also understand the fact that we need to attend a couple of cell group meetings/prayer meetings for tenureship and they are not sure if they can accomodate us on our set date which is July 28.
All I'm after right now is to pull this Dedication/Baptism event on the 28th... =(
I still have a month...but, no! I have to release the invites next week! geezz..
And I received a call from my Tita who happens to be a devoted Catholic (sarado barado kandado Katoliko -once a christian became backslider way back ninteen forgotten) "Hi Baby (she used to call me baby) san ang binyag?" I answered " la pang church mamagus" (I call herr Mamagus a term of endearment for Mother Goose=p) she replied "ay naku day, pabinyagan mo yan sa Catholic Church para di mahirapan makapasok sa school di mo yan ma-eenrol sa La Salle, Ateneo, Poveda, OB Montessori etc. basta run by friars. Naalala mo si Nicca pinabinyagan naten ulit kase di tinanggap sa school ang child dedication certificate nya?" (wow sosyalin na mga schools kayanin ko kayang magpa-aral jan? =p)I paused for a while and said "we'll see, I'll keep you posted."
We had that kind of experience with my niece who wasn't baptized in a catholic church she doesnt have any baptismal certificate. We all know that Child Dedication is different from Baptism. Why should we dedicate our children?
Answer: Because children belong to God, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to God and
Bible Verse: Psalm 127:3 proclaims, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.” As Christians we are called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God and are given by grace as gifts to parents. Parents not only have the awesome responsibility of caring for this gift, but also the wonderful privilege of enjoying the gift.
The dedication of children is taught in the Bible.
Bible Verse: We are told in I Samuel 1 that Hannah presented her son Samuel to the Lord. In Luke 2:22 we read that Mary and Joseph brought their baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem in order to present him before the Lord. In the same way, parents today bring their son or daughter, presenting first themselves and then their child before the Lord our God.
Is dedicating our children considered baptism or salvation?
The dedication of your children is not a baptism, nor a sacrament of the church. Rather you, as the parents entrusted by God, are demonstrating a commitment to Him. You are commiting and seeking to do everything that is in your power, as God gives you wisdom, to see that your children grow up to respect and honor God and to love and serve Jesus Christ. This “setting apart” is an act, by you the parents, a powerful declaration of your acknowledgement of your stewardship over God’s children.
The Dedication Ceremony is not the salvation of your children, but a public expression of the fact they belong to God. It is also viewed as a confirmation between you and the church to partner in raising your children in a godly way until they are old enough to make their own decision in accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
I start checking school websites looking for their admission requirements….. Viola!!!!! We need a baptismal certificate. Right! So meaning I had to do a Catholic baptism and a Child Dedication after all I just need the paper. Period.
(no offense to all the Catholic believers I also respect your faith I was exposed to a non-sectarian school from grade school to college and I perfectly understand each other's preferences on how you would want to express your faith in God)
So here I am lamenting on what to do… I could just boycott those catholic schools (again, pls excuse me)and not have my son enroll to them. On the second thought, why not do it in double ceremonies so as to avoid any future hassle in enrollment???
I have come to a rational decision with the consent of my husband to have the baptism on the 28th at
St. Francis of Assisi in Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong (church beside Shangri-la Mall and Lourdes School) and proceed with the original plan for an intrinsic baptism celebration with all those balloons, novelty cake, fancy cupcakes etc…
Come 1st Sunday of August, we’ll have the child dedication at my home church
Word of Hope Church, North Edsa, Quezon City and it will be a simple family affair with no elaborate dining.
