December 16, 2007
(LAUREN)
Invite parents (Koon Pak and Pui Ha Lau, Doug Yow and Sharlene Chew), and godparents (Serena and Daniel) to come forward
Welcome
We welcome Genevieve and Jason Yow who have brought their son, Micah Morning Yow, born on September 16th 2007 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, “Let the little children come to me; for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of God belongs.”
Meditation Thought
Today we are taking a special moment to dedicate Micah Morning—a little boy who is already living up to his name. Micah was the name of the Biblical prophet who lived in the 8th century BC and who was known for his prophesies of judgment and hope. He is recognized for his commitment to moral truth and justice. He boldly criticized those who tried to take the easy road by abusing wealth and power, and explained that the path of following God is difficult but filled with rewards. Many of us can recite the well-known verse from the sixth chapter of his book: “and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This powerful verse is one of the things that attracted Genevieve and Jason to this name.
The first time I heard Micah’s middle name, I was struck by its uniqueness as well as by how it made perfect sense as a name for a brand new baby boy. Genevieve and Jason chose “Morning” because of the way it reminded them of the bright, new life found in Jesus Christ. After all, Revelation 22:16 says, “I, Jesus, … am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” The name is also fitting considering Micah was born at 7:22AM!
Micah Morning is already living up to his name. After 51 hours of labor, Micah convinced his parents that like his prophetic namesake, he was not about taking the easy road. Micah also talks a lot. Like a prophet, he always has something to say. He captivates his audience—everyone from grandparents, aunties, uncles and the little animals that hang from his mobile—with his smiles and cooing. And like the dawning of a new day, Micah Morning fills our hearts with hope and joy that our lives have been made new in Christ.
As Micah grows and matures in our midst, I predict that he will have many important
things to say. He will speak boldly, challenge us in our faith, and remind us that each new day is a gift from God. In the years to come, when Micah Morning speaks, may we have the courage to listen.
(DON)
Invite parents (Betty Jin, Johnny’s parents?), and godparents (?) to come forward. Share Welcome and Meditation Thought for Jaydon.
Meditation Thought–Jaydon Donald Chow
August 29, 2006
During this Advent season, we are reminded that the angel appeared to Joseph to tell him that he will have a son and he is to name him, “Jesus.” The name, “Jesus” was one of the fairly common names in those days but those of us who follow Jesus know that out of such a humble common birth, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, the Son of God.
I like the name “Donald” too. It means “heard by God.” In the hearts of Christi and Johnny, they prayed for a child and God heard their prayers and blessed them with a son, Jaydon Donald Chow. Jaydon will grow up carrying his family namesake—the grandson of Grandfather Donald Jin, that all male members of Jin family features “Donald” in their names, and the hope and dreams of his father because Jaydon is named with the “J” from his father’s name, Johnny. By bestowing a name to such a little one without any knowledge or guarantees that all these hopes and dreams would ever come true reveals that we as parents, grandparents, family and this church all have great plans for Jaydon and for all of the little ones. Their names suggest our deepest and richest hopes.
As a gift from God because God heard Christi and Johnny’s prayers, we pray that Jaydon will grow up knowing Jesus for himself. We pray that Jaydon will serve God as his parents and family are serving God today. We hope he will continue to be a happy and funny and loving boy making not only his parents happy but also bringing happiness and joy to the whole world.
One of the clearest tenor voices that we have heard at this church is the voice of Don Jin. I hope that you are playing some old tapes of Don’s singing or The Three Tenors Christmas with Luciano Pavarotti so that Jaydon can begin singing like his grandfather did. Po Po Betty would love that.
May God bless Jaydon Donald Chow because God heard your prayers and has given you a wonderful gift.
(LAUREN)
Introduction to Dedication—Combined
When Jesus was old enough, his parents brought him to the temple for purification. In our
Asian American culture and Christian community, we introduce new babies into the
world a number of times. First, the parents email photos of their newborns right after delivery. Then they come to the church nursery for the very first time. Sometimes there’s a red egg and ginger party. And hopefully, like today, we have a time of dedication during the worship service.
The reason we do all this—the reason 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 as well.
In the life of the church and especially here at FCBC, we also have a responsibility. No longer are these children just new babies for Christi and Johnny and Genevieve and Jason, but today we know them by their given names, “Jaydon Donald Chow” and “Micah Morning Yow.” From this day forward, we will pray for them to grow and mature in faith in God by providing them with the nurture, instruction, and love that comes from God. When we make our commitments, we make them seriously and with God’s help, so that we may help fulfill God’s plan for Jaydon and Micah’s lives and purposes in the world.
(DON)
Ritual
To the Parents:
Christi and Johnny, Genevieve and Jason, in presenting your children 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?
Parents : We will.
To the Grandparents, Godparents, and Congregation:
Do you, Jaydon and Micah’s grandparents and godparents, and you the congregation—members and friends of this church—accept the responsibility, together with their parents, 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.
(LAUREN)
Lauren holds Micah:
Micah Morning Yow, may God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
(DON)
Don holds Jaydon:
Jaydon Donald Chow, may God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.
(DON)
Presentation of Certificates and Roses
(LAUREN)
Closing Prayer
Dear God, just as Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to your house that he might be consecrated to your service, so these parents, Christi and Johnny and Genevieve and Jason, 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, Jaydon and Micah 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 Jaydon and Micah, providing them with food for the spirit to nourish them through the years of growth into 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.