June 18, 2006<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We welcome Guy and Kimmie Takahashi who have brought their son, Drew Christian Takahashi born on November 18, 2005 and Dan and Kris Smith who have brought Troy William Smith born on November 19, 2005 to be dedicated to God, the maker of all things and the giver of life. In doing so we follow the way of Jesus who said, \u201cLet the little children come to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meditation Thought<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, we are taking a moment to dedicate two cousins, Drew and Troy born on two consecutive days. The most famous set of second cousins in the Bible is John the Baptist and Jesus. We know that each of them carried out God\u2019s plan for their lives to announce the good news that God\u2019s has for the world. While John prepared the way for Jesus, Jesus recognized John\u2019s holy role to baptize him in the river Jordan. Their lives were intertwined for God\u2019s plan. As Drew and Troy are brought up together, perhaps their lives would also intertwine as favorable in God\u2019s sight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n John\u2019s mother Elizabeth and Jesus\u2019 mother Mary were relatives just as Kimmie and Kris are sisters. We read in the Bible that when Mary came to visit Elizabeth before John was born, Elizabeth experienced a blessing that was filled with the Holy Spirit. Drew and Troy are born into a great family that is comprised of faithful saints and followers of Jesus Christ. They have wonderful uncles, aunties, grandparents, and lots of other cousins to grow up with. Truly this is a blessing that can only come from our loving God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jesus was old enough, his parents brought him to the temple for purification. In our Chinese American culture and Christian community, we introduce a new baby into the world a number of times. First, the parents show pictures of their newborns right after delivery. Sometimes there\u2019s the red egg and ginger party. They come to the church nursery for the very first time. We make a big fuss on their first birthdays. We have a baby dedication worship service. In each of these occasions, the baby is unaware of what\u2019s going on. For pastors, we just hope that the babies don\u2019t cry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the real reason why we introduce children into the world is to hear the promises and commitments from the parents, the family members and all of their friends that they will bring these children up in the teachings of Christ. Just as Mary and Joseph provided the right kind of family life to prepare Jesus for his God-given work, you as parents have this sacred responsibility too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the life of the church and especially here at FCBC, we have a responsibility too. No longer are these children just new babies for Guy and Kimmie and Dan and Kris but today we know them by their given names, \u201cDrew Christian Takahashi\u201d and \u201cTroy William Smith.\u201d From this day forward, we will pray for them to grow up, mature in faith in God by providing them with nurture, instruction, and love that comes from God. When we make our commitments, we make them seriously and with the help of God, we will help fulfill God\u2019s plan for Drew\u2019s life and purpose and for Troy\u2019s life and purpose in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ritual<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To the Parents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In presenting Drew and Troy to God, do you promise that through the grace given you and in partnership with this church, you will teach them the truths and responsibilities of the Christian faith, and seek to lead them into a living relationship with Jesus Christ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guy & Kimmie\/Dan & Kris: We will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To the Congregation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you, the loving family of these children and members and friends of this church, accept the responsibility, together with the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, to teach these children, that they may be brought to full maturity in Jesus Christ? If so, will you signify your acceptance by saying, \u201cWe will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Congregation: We will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don holds Drew: Drew, God bless you and keep you. God\u2019s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don carries Troy: Troy, God bless you and keep you. God\u2019s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presentation of Certificates and Roses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dear God, even as Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to your house that he might be consecrated to your service, so these parents, Guy and Kimmie and Dan and Kris have brought these little ones to this house of worship, that among your people they might present them to you. Give to these parents your special graces of insight and love, that under their guidance, Drew and Troy may grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with you and all people. Grant that we your people may truly be a household of faith to Drew and Troy, providing them with food for the spirit to nourish them through the years of growth and maturity. With gratitude for these children we dedicate them, his parents, and ourselves, to the end that their lives may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" June 18, 2006 Welcome We welcome Guy and Kimmie Takahashi who have brought their son, Drew Christian Takahashi born on November 18, 2005 and Dan and Kris Smith who have