August 20, 2006
Welcome
We welcome
Jeff & Kim Hee who have brought their son, Micah Timothy Hee born on April 15, 2006
Banny Li and Karen Tom who have brought their son Mason Chak-Kin Li born on May 7, 2006
George and Jennifer Chang who brought their son Ryland Cole Chang born on May 12, 2006
Joshua & Jackie Chou who brought their daughter Madison Elizabeth Chou born on May 18, 2006 and
Lauren Ng & Daniel Kushner who brought their daughter Sage Shih Kushner born on May 23, 2006
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 moment to dedicate five new babies who are blessing our everyday lives. As one of the grandparents in this group, I know that my life has been affected by one of these babies. Not a day goes by that we don’t think about these little ones. For the parents, they know this better than anyone else—the constant feeding, constant changing, the constant playing, and the constant and ever-streaming responsive blessings of smiles, coos, and giggles that make children a true part of life.
While we know that babies and little children are wonderful and we see that there’s now a line of adults waiting to help out in the church nursery, not every adult thinks so including the disciples. When people were bringing their infants and children to see Jesus in order that he might touch them, the disciples sternly told these parents to not bother Jesus. But when Jesus saw this, he was mad at the disciples. He said,
“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such
as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not
receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”
Then Jesus took the little children up in his arms; laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
When we see one little child or see many like we see today, we are reminded by Jesus that there’s much that we can learn from our children just as there is much that we need to teach them. Their willingness to trust you reminds us that we can trust God with our own lives. Their great need to depend on you reminds us how we can depend on God even with our deepest worries and problems. Their constant wanting to play with you reminds us that God our Father wants to be in constant communication with us in prayer. We are truly blessed to have these little ones in our midst and to see God’s love for us in them.
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’s the red egg and ginger party. They come to the church nursery for the very first time. We make a big fuss over their first birthdays. 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 babies don’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 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.
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 these parents but today we know them by their given names:
Micah Timothy Hee
Mason Chak-Kin Li
Ryland Cole Chang
Madison Elizabeth Chou
Sage Shih Kushner
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 lives and purposes in the world.
Ritual
To the Parents:
In presenting Micah, Mason, Ryland, Madison and Sage 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 Congregation:
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, “We will.”
Congregation: We will.
Don holds each baby, “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, Micah, Mason, Ryland, Madison, and Sage 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, his parents, and ourselves, to the end that their lives may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. Amen.