A Service of Dedication for Covenant Discipleship Groups

As an act of response to the Word, the pastor invites members of Covenant Discipleship Groups
or other groups guided by the General Rule of Discipleship to gather around the font in their groups.
When all have arrived, the pastor addresses the congregation:


Sisters and brothers in Christ,
through the Sacrament of Baptism
we are initiated into Christ’s holy church.
We are incorporated into Christ’s mighty acts of salvation
and given new birth through water and the Spirit
All this is God’s gift, offered without price.

Through coming together in disciplined groups,
watching over one another in love,
we help each other live out our baptismal vows
and our General Rules
as expressed in the General Rule of Discipleship:

All: To witness to Jesus Christ in the world,
and to follow his teachings
through acts of compassion, justice,
worship, and devotion,
under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

These groups present themselves today
to share their commitments to God,
to each other
and to you
as members with you
in this congregation of Christ’s holy church.

They ask for your prayers and your blessing.

Pastor to the groups:

How do you pledge
to witness to Jesus Christ in the world
and to follow his teachings
through acts of compassion?

Each group reads aloud its covenant for acts of compassion.

How do you pledge
to witness to Jesus Christ in the world
and to follow his teachings
through acts of justice?

Each group reads aloud its covenant for acts of justice.

How do you pledge
to witness to Jesus Christ in the world
and to follow his teachings
through acts of devotion?

Each group reads aloud its covenant for acts of devotion.

How do you pledge
to witness to Jesus Christ in the world
and to follow his teachings
through acts of worship?

Each group reads aloud its covenant for acts of worship.

Pastor to congregation:
Let us extend our hands in blessing
toward these sisters and brothers,
and the commitments they make before God
and this congregation.

Let us pray:

Almighty God,
we thank you for the living witness
of sisters and brothers
who are pledging to follow Christ
and witness to his teachings in the world.

Pour out your Spirit on them.
Come, Holy Spirit.

Pour out your Spirit on us.
Come, Holy Spirit.

Give them the strength
to keep the commitments they have made to you
and to each other.

Give us the love and the wisdom
to support their growth in holiness
all the days of their lives.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom be blessing and honor,
glory and power,
wisdom and strength,
now and for ever. Amen.

Covenant Discipleship Groups may lead the exchange of peace with these or other words:
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be always with you.
And also with you.