Liturgy for an interfaith service for the thanksgiving of a birth of a child

 Liturgy written and used by Revd Ray Anglesea at St Andrew's Dawson Street, Crook

Introduction

Welcome to.......................... We are here today to give thanks for Name and to support name of parents in their responsibilities of parenthood with prayer and love. It is the role of the great faiths of the world, Judaism and Christianity, that God's purpose for children is that they should know love within the stability of their home and grow in faith.

Prayer

Blessed are You, our God, creator of time and space, who has supported us, protected us, and brought us to this moment. Amen (Shehecheyanu Blessing) Poem or suitable reading
Parents - Do you receive Name as a gift from God?
We do.
Parents - Do you wish to give thanks to God and seek his blessing?
We do.
The minister says
God our creator, we thank you for the wonder of new life and for the mystery of human love. We thank you for all whose support and skill surround and sustain the beginning of life. We thank you that we are known to you by name and loved by you from all eternity. Blessed be Yahweh forever.
1.    Reading: The Shema (part) You shall love Adonai your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.  And these words which I command you this today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them when you are sitting at home, and when you go on a journey, when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hands and they shall be jewels in your eye. 2.    Mark 10:13-16 13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Address:
Parents: What name have you given this child?
As Jesus took children in his arms and blessed them,
so now we ask God's blessing on Name of child
Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for Name birth;
surround him with your blessing that he may know your love, be protected from evil and know goodness all his days
A prayer for Parents
May God the Father of all bless Parents
and give them grace to love and care for Names.
May God give them wisdom, patience and faith,
help them to provide for Names needs
and, by their example, reveal the love and truth that are
in Jesus Christ.
To Godparents: Will you do all that you can to help and support Parents in the bringing up of Name?
With the help of God, we will. To Family and Friends
Will you do all that you can to help and support this family?
With the help of God, we will
Prayers: (Source: Celtic Daily Prayer) The blessing of Christ come to you in this child. His blessing is mercy and kindness and joy. Blessings comes to home and family. Welcome Name, child of love. God is here to bless you beyond telling, to be born to parents who love you and love each other. Grow gently Name, in love of God. We bless you and pray Christ be near you now and each hour of your life.
Ending God be with you in this your day, every day and every way, with you and for you in this your day and the love and affection of heaven be toward you all. Amen