Page:Book of common prayer (TEC, 1979).pdf/440

 For the Birth of a Child

Dear Friends:  The birth of a child is a joyous and solemn occasion in the life of a family. It is also an occasion for rejoicing in the Christian community. I bid you, therefore, to join N. [and N.] in giving thanks to Almighty God our  heavenly Father, the Lord of all life, for the gift of N. to be their son (daughter) [and with N. (and NN.), for a new brother (sister)]. Let us say together:

For an Adoption

Dear Friends:  It has pleased God our heavenly Father to answer the earnest prayers of N. [and N.], member(s) of this Christian family, for the gift of a child. I bid you join with them [and with N. (and NN.), who now has a new brother (sister)] in offering heartfelt thanks for the joyful and solemn  responsibility which is theirs by the coming of N. to be a member of their family. But first, our friends wish us, here assembled, to witness the inauguration of this new  relationship.