November 9, 2008
Today we stop for a moment in our very busy lives to remember whose we are. Welcoming a little baby into your home dramatically rearranges everything and your lives are forever changed. The baby’s needs and wants fill every waking and many times sleeping hours and soon we forget whose we are. We end up being introduced as Jacob’s parents or Parker’s parents!
Today, we stop to present these little ones to be dedicated to the Lord so that whenever we find ourselves so overwhelmingly busy, we might remember that we belong to God, our Creator. In doing so we follow the way of Jesus who said, “Let the little children come to me; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.” Jonathan and Joyce Ng present Jacob Andrew Ng, born on May 19, 2008 to be dedicated to the Lord. Josh and Jackie Chou present Parker Joshua Chou, born on June 11, 2008 to be dedicated to the Lord. Jacob and Parker are only 23 days apart. In the household of Nelson and Lea Wong, they were blessed with the births of two grandsons only 23 days apart. We can say that they are doubly blessed.
Today, we also have Kenley and Peggy Mew who are godparents to Jacob and Maddie Dong, godmother to Parker present. We also have Grandparents Nathan and Dee Dee Ng and Jane Chou.
Jon and Joyce named their son Jacob because one time while eating desserts at Heidi’s Pies in San Mateo, they thought of “Jacob” and it made it to the top of the list of boy’s names. I wonder if Jacob likes desserts because Grandfather Nelson bakes great cakes and makes delicious desserts! I heard that Jacob is “a delightful, active, alert little boy who is tenacious and strong.” It will take such a boy to keep up with Grandparents Nathan and Dee Dee’s outdoor adventures. Jacob “observes everything” like how his Grandmother Lea sees where things need dusting.
One of the hopes that Jon and Joyce have for Jacob is that he “has a heart that desires after God and that he will become a servant who seeks to share Christ’s light with all.” They have endowed Jacob with a Chinese name that means, “Bright Star” and if Jacob were to fulfill his biblical heritage, he may have a dream of “a ladder set up on earth, the top reaching to heaven; and the angels of God ascending and descending on it.” We pray that little Jacob will know the Lord like the biblical Jacob did.
Josh and Jackie named their son Parker after Park Avenue in New York City, one of the most expensive real estate places on the Monopoly board. Since they already have a “Madison Avenue,” they wanted to name all their children after all the streets in New York City. Have you counted the number of streets in New York recently? Being a Yankee fan, I think this is one way Josh wants to remind me that New York still reigns!
The meaning of “Parker” is a park keeper—one who takes care of parks. Perhaps Parker would become an environmentalist or a conservationist who cares for God’s wonderful and diverse creation. He might be another John McLaren of Golden Gate Park or another John Muir of Yosemite. The name, Parker Chou, is a play on words with the SF restaurant, Park Chow, a favorite eating place that the family enjoys. I am sure that when Grandma Jane comes up to visit, Parker will want to take her to his restaurant, Park Chow to eat.
Both Jacob and Parker smile a lot. Jacob has an “infectious smile.” Parker “smiles all the time and his face lights up anytime you talk to him.” Someone once said that children smile a lot because they can still remember what God is like. When the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus called a child to him and said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” We can learn a lot from these little children. They teach us to be humble, to have a heart for the Lord, to care for God’s creation, and to smile a lot.
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 (and grandparents) show pictures of their newborn right after delivery. We have a red egg and ginger party. We have a baby dedication worship service like today. In each of these occasions, the baby is unaware of what’s going on. For pastors, we just hope that the baby doesn’t cry.
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 this child 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.
In the life of the church and especially here at FCBC, we have a responsibility too. No longer is this child just a new baby for these parents but today we know him by his given name, Jacob Andrew Ng and Jacob Joshua Chou. 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’s plan for these children’s life and purpose in the world.
Ritual
To the Parents:
In presenting Jacob and Parker to God, do you promise that through the grace given you and in partnership with this church, you will teach him the truths and responsibilities of the Christian faith, and seek to lead him into a living relationship with Jesus Christ?
Parents: We will.
To the Congregation:
Do you, the loving church family of these children and members and friends of this church, accept the responsibility, together with the parents, grandparents, godparents, 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, “We will.”
Congregation: We will.
Chris holds Jacob.
Don holds Parker, “God bless you and keep you. God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.”
Presentation of Certificates and Roses
Closing Prayer
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 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, Jacob and Parker 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 these children, 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, their parents, and ourselves, to the end that their lives may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. Amen.