Dedication of Timothy Milton Jang
November 7, 2004
Welcome
We welcome Jarrett and Serena Jang, who have brought their first child, Timothy Milton Jang to be dedicated to God, the maker of all things and the giver of life. In so doing, 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
Jarrett and Serena, when you got married, two church families became related—the Jangs and the Dongs! And now with the birth of Timothy, your two families are now even more joined together over a grandson. You have blessed your parents with the beauty of their very first grandchild. And being a grandfather myself, I know that they are going to want more!
Grandparents Milton and So Be and Grandparents Joel and Linda along with Godparents Chris Chin and Genevieve Yow are all here because it does take all of them and many of us to truly raise Timothy to become the person God has created him to be. He will learn from each one of us and grow to become the mature and responsible person of faith we all want him to be. Timothy will become an avid sports fan like Jarrett and he will be mesmerized by the magic of Disneyland like Serena!
I can’t resist saying that both his Grandmothers have served and one is still serving as a SS teacher, both Grandfathers have served and one is still serving as a Deacon, both Godparents have taught SS and both of you, Jarrett and Serena have and one is still serving as a Deacon. What this means, Jarrett and Serena is that you have rightfully named your son, “Timothy.” As the Apostle Paul mentored and encouraged his young disciple, Timothy to remain faithful, all of you will do the same with this child. In 2 Timothy 2:1, Paul writes, “My child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” You will raise Timothy to be strong in the Lord and a worthy follower of Jesus Christ, his Savior.
Ritual
Jarrett and Serena: You selected 1 Samuel 1:27-28, “I pray for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” In presenting Timothy Milton Jang to God, do you promise that through the grace given you and in partnership with this congregation, you will teach him the truths and responsibilities of the Christian faith, and seek to lead him into a living relationship with Jesus Christ?
Jarrett & Serena: “We will.”
Grandparents, Godparents, and Congregation: Do you accept the responsibility, together with Jarrett and Serena, to teach this child that he may be brought to full maturity in Jesus Christ? If so, please say, “We will.”
Congregation: “We will.”
Pastor Don holds Timothy: “Timothy Milton Jang, 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 the Certificate and Rose
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, Jarrett and Serena have brought this little one to this house of worship, that among your people they might present him to you. Give to these parents your special graces of insight and love, that under their guidance, Timothy 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 Timothy, providing him with food for the spirit to nourish him through the years of growth and maturity. With gratitude for this child we dedicate him, his parents, and ourselves, to the end that his life may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.