Schedule for DAUGHTER’s Virtuous Womanhood Ceremony

Welcome & Opening Prayer

We would like to welcome you to our home for a special celebration, yet another milestone in the life of DAUGHTER. Today we celebrate and witness a commitment to Purity and Virtuous womanhood that DAUGHTER is publicly making before each of you and with her creator God for how she will purpose to live her life going forward. Let’s open in prayer.

Father in heaven, be with us this afternoon as we come to witness DAUGHTER’s transition from a child into a young woman. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11 It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Watch over and protect her as she dedicates her life to serving you, commits to sexual, emotional and spiritual purity, and recognizes the authority you have given Cherie and I as her parents. Lord we know that as DAUGHTER makes this commitment to purity, she is setting herself apart from a world that mocks it because they don't understand it, but God use her to shine as a light into the darkness. I pray that you will bless this time to encourage those who are here and that you would give DAUGHTER boldness she needs for sharing what she has prepared. Pray that the message that I have presented for DAUGHTER would be clearly understood and taken to heart. Amen

Introduction of those in attendance:

Have them go around and share their connection to DAUGHTER.

DAUGHTER’s Life Milestones (Jon and I)

  • You were knitted together in your mother’s womb. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. All the days ordained for you were written in God’s book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139
  • January 9, 1991 DAUGHTER arrives 4 weeks early and after a very difficult pregnancy. Three weeks later we drive from VA to TX where dad took a job at IBM.
  • May 12, 1991 you were dedicated at GCC where we your parents and the body of believersat Grace committed to your Christian upbringing.
  • April 1994prayed to accept Christ as her personal Savior.
  • 1996 began home school journey with DAUGHTER
  • Began babysitting at 11 (signs of responsibility)
  • Baptized July 2003 at GCC

Share what we have done to prepare for this event (MOM)

The first step was Jon and I becoming Christians 1987 and then desiring to raise a Godly generation with many generations to follow we pray. We have sought the word of God for what this should look like for our family. We have been blessed by many inspiring examples and have heard many wise men speak on raising godly children including our very on youth pastor, Chris G. We have each speaker, seminar, conference, book, etc. to thank as they gave us much wisdom and insight into the vast information out there on parenting. We did not want to be like everyone else and our desire was to be the Werner family. WeknewGod had a special plan for our family as he does for each family here. We are not called to be cookie cutter Christians. We constructed a family mission statement to guide and direct us (see book) so we knew where we desired to go. We knew we didn’t want our family/children to conform to the world’s low standards spoken of in Romans chapter 1. Home education has provided us daily opportunities to pass on Godly charter traits and a biblical worldview. (Deuteronomy 11:19 commands us to teach God’s law to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you drive in the car, when you lie down, and when you get up.) That is what we have done. So preparation for this particular event began years ago with DAUGHTER giving us her heart and being teachable. It was hard to know how to title this event but it is an event about Virtuous or courageous Womanhood, protecting innocence and purity and the following resources have given us insight:

  • The Princess and the Kiss by Jennie Bishop
  • My Heart Belongs to Him by Nancy Butkowski and Leslie J. Barner
  • Raising Maidens Of Virtue by Stacy McDonald
  • Polished Cornerstones by Door Post
  • And The Bride Wore White Seven Secrets to Sexual Purity
  • When God Writes Your Love Story
  • Secret Keepers The Delicate Power of Modesty
  • The Three Weavers (Study for dads to do with daughters)
  • Not my Will
  • Waiting for Her Isaac
  • Stay in the Castle by Pastor Jerry Ross
  • And numerous other books along the way dealing with character, manners, etc…

We also required the DAUGHTER possess various life skills such as being able to run a home and the doing various duties along with home management. We let her serve us for a week by cooking, cleaning, doing clothes, etc… (free maid service). It is DAUGHTER’s true desire to one day be a wife and mother. As her parents we can attest to the gentle and nurturing side she has with children through her daily interaction with Cayley and many of your children. DAUGHTER has become very organized and neat of the last few years which are important skills in running a home.

MENTORS Share

FATHER Shares his message

DAUGHTER Reads her commitment she wrote

PRESENTATION (PARENTS)

PROVERBS 1:7-10Offers key insight

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline. 8 Listen, my child, to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. 9 What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor. 10 My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! In the above passage three things stand out to us:

  1. FEAR OF THE LORD (v7) DAUGHTER, ever since you were small it has been our goal to direct and teach you in the ways of the Lord through His holy word. Your life must be motivated by a sense of awe and reverence for God. Living in fear of God means living in the realization of your accountability of Him. He is God and you are His creation. Nothing in your life is arbitrary. It’s all for a purpose. God sees all; everything is open before Him. Living in godly fear means living in full light of God as a holy God who calls His people to holiness. The way you see your life shapes your life. Your perspectives will influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents, and value your relationships.
  1. ADHERENCE TO PARENTAL INSTRUCTION (v. 8 Listen, my child to what your father teaches you. Don’t neglect your mother’s teaching. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and clothe you with honor.) I am also reminded of DEUTERONOMY 5:16 & EXDOUS 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. DAUGHTER, God has placed upon our hearts that we are responsible for your instruction and training. The highest priority for us has been your spiritual teaching and training. We are your source of wisdom and instruction and your life will be greatly benefited by adherence to the values and instruction God has given to us. As parents, we won’t always have the right answers and most definitely not the popular ones. However we promise to always acknowledge when we are wrong, to ask for forgiveness, and seek God for His direction and insight as we guide you. We realize this will work only if trust is at the center of our family. We are challenging you with a very high standard. You and I know our culture is calling you into immorality. We are God-appointed guardians of your purity and pray you will trust and submit to us until it is time to release you.
  1. DISASSOCATION FROM THE WICKED (v 10) DAUGHTER, be sure to know that the call to associate with sinners will entice you. I Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” The friends you have today will make you who you are tomorrow. Choosing friends is among the most important choices you will ever make as you live and grow, because friends often become like each other, influencing one another, either in positive or negative ways. Your friendships will affect the rest of your life. Friendships are so important the next few years and you have a natural need to be loved and accepted. Peer pressure- whether positive or negative – can be a powerful influence in your life. This is a time where you will need more than ever to have the vertical focus on God verse a horizontal focus on others. Never forget your commitment to live your life for an audience of One, looking to and caring only what God thinks of you verses seeking the approval of people. We will strive to be therefor you and will always love and accept you unconditionally. Our doors will be open to you and your friends as place to hang out.

DEDICATION (DAUGHTER) I, DAUGHTER Ruth Werner, humbly dedicate my heart to my Lord Jesus Christ; I desire to pursue a relationship with Him before all other relationships. I believe He has called me to humble myself to my parents through their instruction, insight, and wisdom for my life. I recognize their authority, and know God will use them to guide my path in the upcoming years. By faith I dedicate my education, my dreams, and my desires to God, and trust Him with my life. I know He is faithful and loves me and has a special plan for my life.

SHARING TIME (mom)

It is our hope that today will give you a sense of destiny and purpose. Family and friends will share character strengths they see in you. May you learn to recognize your gifts and discern more clearly the ways in which God might use them. With this in mind we want to allow a few minutes for those who desire to share special character traits they see in DAUGHTER. I also have a memorybook on the table of a few notes sent to DAUGHTER by family and friends.

DAUGHTER, a virtuous woman thinks ahead and it is evident from your talk and time that we have spent with you that you have thought ahead and prayerfully considered the commitment you are making today. You are planning and preparing for your future.. You are not afraid, as you know God is in control and daily you are wisely doing all you can to responsibly prepare for whatever lies ahead. We know your hearts desire and the high standard you have set for yourself. As you make this commitment to purity, know that you are setting yourself apart from a world that mocks it because they don't understand it and the road ahead will not be easy. We ask those in attendance to pray for DAUGHTER and encourage her as we well.

We, therefore, present your life and future to God and would like to present you with a token to the vow of purity that you have taken today before God, your family and friends. It is a privilege to dedicate you today; we accept this responsibility carefully and prayerfully. We know we do not have wisdom on our own, but seek the Lord’s guidance together in this endeavor. We know that you are on loan to us and belong to the Father above and we respect you as a child of God! We humbly ask for the prayers of all here, and know that we need others to help us in this endeavor.

RING PRESENTATION – a precious symbol of the commitment/covenant to God and DAUGHTER’s future husband (Jon)

This ring is very special as it was once yourgrandmother’s wedding ring for 20 years and then it was your mom’s engagement ring. Just as a ring must under go intense heat to remove all impurities to make it bright and beautiful the same holds true in your life that as you under go trials so long as your eyes are upon God your heart will remain pure. As you look at the ring you will notice two hearts. Allow these hearts to remind you that for now your heart belongs to God (HIM) and God willing you will have your whole heart to present to your husband. Also if Christ is at the center of your heart, you will have a sincere desire to be pure for Him. Your mom looked up the real significance of a weddingring and found it symbolizes transfer of authority, strength and protection which for now will be my responsibility. And when you get married you will replace this ring with one given to you by your husband at which time I transfer this responsibility to him. DAUGHTER will you vow to live a virtuous and pure life until God brings you a husband?

We also have a covenant for you to sign along with a place for witnesses here tosign as well. Read aloud. Place this covenant in a prominent place to remind yourself often of your commitment and for others to see.

CLOSING PRAYER