A SERVICE FOR THE BLESSING OF A PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH

A SERVICE FOR THE BLESSING
OF A PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH

THE ENTRANCE

(Family and friends gather at the front of the church near the baptismal font where the child will be baptized. After a moment of silence, the service begins.)

+SCRIPTURE SENTENCES PSALM 127:1-3, 128:5-6

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.

It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,

eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved rest.

Behold, children are indeed a heritage from the LORD,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

The LORD bless you from Zion.

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.

May you see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

+HYMN

(One of the following or another appropriate hymn is sung:)

Suggested: 643 "When Love Is Found"

445 "Happy the Home When God Is There"

695 "O Lord, May Church And Home Combine"

+PRAYER

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray:

O God our Father, in the mystery of creation you shaped us in your image as male and female, pronounced us very good, and gave us a share in your own powers. What dignity you bestowed upon us when you commanded us to be fruitful and multiply. For Christian marriage, for the love of man and woman, and for the gift of a pregnancy we give you thanks. Above all, we praise you for Jesus Christ, nurtured in the watery depths of Mary's womb, loved by Joseph, one of us and our Savior, through whom we receive the new birth, who upholds creation by his word of power and watches over all his saints by the Holy Spirit with all the holy angels. Amen.

SCRIPTURE LESSONS

(Family and friends are encouraged to read Scripture.)

Old Testament I Samuel 1:9-11, 19-28, 2:26, or

Psalm 78:1-8

New Testament Luke 1:39-56, or

Matthew 18:1-4

CHARGE

(The pastor speaks briefly to the occasion and to the couple(s).)

THANKSGIVING, INTERCESSION, AND BLESSING

(The couple kneels. The husband places a hand on his wife’s abdomen as a blessing to the child. The pastor anoints both parents on the forehead with oil, making the sign of the cross. The pastor and others lay hands on the couple’s head and/or shoulders and pray:)

Blessed are you, Lord God.
You have blessed the union of (name) and (name).
May your blessing be upon this mother
and the child she carries. Amen.

Blessed are you, Lord God.
May this time of pregnancy be for (name) and (name)
months of drawing closer to you and each other. Amen.

Blessed are you, Lord God.
May this be a time of safety and may the experience of birth be full of awe and wonder at the joy of sharing in your creation. Amen.

(Those present are invited to offer their own prayers of blessing and intercession at this time.)

(The pastor concludes the prayers:)

O Lord and giver of life,
receive our prayer for (name),
and for the child she has conceived,
that she and her husband (name)
may happily come to the time of birth and, serving you in all things, may rejoice in your loving providence.
Overshadow them all with the Holy Spirit
and claim this child for yourself in the waters of baptism.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

+ASCRIPTION OF GLORY

(Spoken boldly by all present:)

Glory to God, who by the power at work among us is able to do far more than we can ask or imagine. Glory be given to this God from generation to generation in the church and in Christ Jesus forever. Amen.

(Embrace the expectant parents. Gifts for the new child may be given. A brochure in baptism is given to the couple by the pastor. Pictures may be taken and included with the service as a memento.)

Sources:

Rev. Thomas G. Simons, Blessings For All God's People (Notre Dame: Ave Maria, 1983). The Book Of Occasional Services (New York: The Church Hymnal Corp., 1979). Services For Special Days (Nashville: Abington, 1987).

Recommended Reading:

Francis and Judith McNutt, Praying For Your Unborn Child.

This occasional service is intended for use just following the Sunday Service. It's purpose is to recognize a pregnancy as a gift, as a significant turning point in a marriage, and to offer worship to God and blessing to the couple on this occasion. When the pregnancy is announced, a copy of this service is given to the couple. The service can be scheduled with a call to the church office at least a week in advance. The service will last about ten minutes, and more than one couple may participate. The couple is encouraged to invite family and friends to be present. The pastor presides and those gathered are invited to read one of the lessons, pray, and participate in the blessing. This service is in anticipation of the baptism of the child.

Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church
Phil Thrailkill: Pastor