A Christian Service for the Giving and Receiving of a Child through Adoption
By The Rev. Lee Roy Pittard
If possible, this service is held with the birth mother(parents), child, and adoptive parents present. An agency representative or social worker may assist the pastor. If any of these are not present, the service may be adapted to fit the situation.Family and friends of both sides may also be present.qThe birth mother/parents hold the child as the service begins.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The birth of a child is a testimony
of God’s continued creating and life-giving presence among us.
The days of pregnancy and the process of birth
are times of love, joy, pain, and fear.
Adoption often carries similar emotions
for both the birth and adoptive families.
So we gather today
acknowledging our joy and our pain,
our hope and our fear,
undergirded by love, human and divine,
to witness and bless the release and adoption of this (child/Name).
Let us pray.
Creator of all,
from everlasting to everlasting,
you are God.
You have knit each of us together
in our mother’s womb.
You have searched us and know us.
You know our hearts and our hopes,
our fears, and above all the love
which bring us to this moment.
As we recognize and bless the release and adoption of (this child/name)
by her/his birth parent(s) (Name(s))
to (her/his) adoptive parent(s) (Name(s)),
grant us all the courage, strength, and peace
needed for today
and for the journey that lies ahead;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Reading: Exodus 2:1-10
As the birth mother/parents continues to hold the child, the pastorplaces one hand upon the head of the birth mother and one hand upon the head of the child, and offers this blessing:
Blessing of the Birth Family:
Eternal God, parent of us all,
pour out your blessing upon (birth mother/parents)
and upon (this child/Name),
whom she/they now release(s)
to the love and care of (adoptive parents).
Fill her/them with the assurance
of your love that never ends,
and your ongoing care for thechild she/they release.
May peace abide even in sorrow,
and hope even in pain;
throughJesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Act of Release (Optional)
The birth mother/parents may offer their own blessing upon the child in these or similar words:
Precious Child (or child’s name if known/given),
I/we love you.
In love I/we release you
to the care of (adoptive parents)
and to the never-ending love of God.
Word of Thanks(Optional)
If adoptive parents are present, the birth mom/parents may offer personal words of thanksgiving for them and for their receiving of the child in these or similar words:
(Adoptive parents names), I/we thankGod for you.
I/We thank you that you have already created
a place in your home and in your hearts,
for (this child/Name).
I/We pray forGod to lead you in love
and bless your lives together as a family
from this day forward.
The birth mother/parents may present the child to the adoptive parents. Alternately, the adoption/social worker receives the child (if present) and carries him/her to the adoptive parents if present. If they are not present, the service concludes here. If they are present and receiving the child, the pastor places his/her hand upon the adoptive mother or father, and the child.
Blessing of the Adoptive Parent(s):
Loving God, by the gift of baptism
you have adoptedus as your children,
brothers and sisters to Christ
and in Christ.
As you have offered yourself in loveto us,
may (adoptive parents) offer themselves in love to (this child/name).
Bless their lives together as a family,
and fill their home with joy, hope, peace, wisdom, and love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Word of Thanks(Optional)
The adoptive parents may offer personal words of thanksgiving to the birth mom/parents in these or similar words:
(Birth mother/parents), thank you for your love for(this child/Name).
Thank you for your releasing (her/him) to our care
out of your love for her/him.
We pray for God to lead you in love
and bless you from this day forward.
Words of Reception(Optional)
At this point the adoptive parents may offer personal words of welcome to the child in these or similar words
Precious Child/Name, you are a gift from God.
We welcome you into our family
with open arms and hearts.
We love you
and we promise to encourage you, teach you, and support you,
so that you may grow into the person
God longs for you to be.
Benediction (Pastor)
Now may the God through whom we all are joined together
as one family in Christ
grant us sustaining love throughall of our days.
And the blessing of God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (or, the Triune God),
be with us and remain among us always. Amen.
“A Christian Service for the Giving and Receiving of a Child through Adoption,” by The Reev; Lee RoyPittard with Taylor Burton-Edwards, Copyright © 2016 by Lee Roy Pittard. Published by The General Board of Discipleship. Permission is given for churches and clergy to reproduce and use this resource in their ministry settings, provided the reproduction any means includes this complete copyright statement. It may not be sold or placed on any other website without the permission of the copyright holder. For permissions contact .