March 29, 2009
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 Grant’s parents or Miles’ 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.” Guy and Kimmie Takahashi present Grant Josiah Takahashi born on March 28, 2008 to be dedicated to the Lord. Dan and Kris Smith present Miles Daniel Smith, born on July 28, 2008 to be dedicated to the Lord. Grant and Miles are first cousins. In the household of George and Nancy Chen, they are blessed with the births of two more grandsons. We can say that they are very blessed.
Today, we also have other important people in the lives of Grant and Miles…
Yesterday was Grant’s first birthday! Grant’s name originally came from his grandmother Nancy and Kimmie and Guy loved it right away. There are many meanings and ways to use the word, grant. But the one I believe is appropriate to this Grant is that he represents the value of giving. Whenever Kimmie calls Grant, he is giving her his attention. Whenever Guy calls Grant to play ball, he is granting his Dad the opportunity to become another great basketball player. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we can also say, “Grant us this day our daily bread.”
The quality of agreeing to fulfill a promise or to give permission to things is important to building a life on Christ. We pray that Grant will fulfill the promise of accepting Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We pray that he will give himself the permission to know God as a powerful part of his life. When Grant does, we are confident that he will understand Jesus Christ in his heart. He will make the right decisions and do well in life. The Apostle Paul said to his young disciple, Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:7, “The Lord will grant you understanding in all things.”
As Grant joins his older brother, Drew, Miles joins two older brothers, Bryce and Troy. With these five boys, they have a starting lineup to compete with the Warriors. The name, Miles, means “merciful soldier.” As the youngest of all the Chen grandchildren, he may very well be the littlest soldier who needs a lot of mercy from his older brothers and cousins.
When Jesus was teaching his disciples and all those who were following him, they asked him about retaliation or getting even. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also two miles. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:38-42). We can imagine that this Miles will become that friend who would not get even but be willing to go that extra mile to help someone in need. Our world badly needs more people who are committed to go that extra mile, to take those 5,280 more steps to care for others especially those who need of a helping hand. We pray that Miles will grow up to know Jesus Christ in his life.
Just like the Apostle Paul told the Philippians, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ” (3:13-14). We pray that Miles will never stop running those miles in life until he gets to that goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ.
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, Grant Josiah Takahashi and Miles Daniel Smith. 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 Grant and Miles 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 Grant.
Don holds Miles, “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
This certificate will remind you of the commitments you made here today. This rose, a universal symbol of beauty and God’s wondrous creation represents your child made in the image of God himself.
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, Grant and Miles 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.