November 9, 2008
Welcome
We welcome Banny and Karen Li who have brought Marcus Chak-Yan Li born on May 9, 2008 and Jason and Marcia Kuo who have brought Mia Anne Kuo born on May 11, 2008 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.”
We are delighted to have Grandmother Pauline and Grandparents Paley and Laura Pang and Grandparents present with us today.
We can see that God has once again blessed Banny and Karen with a healthy baby! Marcus is already helping his parents simplify their lives by wearing the same size diapers as his older brother, Mason. With a strong Dad like Banny, I am pretty sure that both Mason and Marcus will become strong in body and mind too. Karen is already worried about keeping the fridge filled with food!
In Ephesians 6:10, it reads, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.” Paul is reminding us that we need to also be strong in spirit so that when our faith is challenged, we would be able to stand firm. As parents, you know that Marcus will be strong in the Lord when you help him put on the whole armor of God by telling him the Bible stories, help him to put on the breastplate of righteousness when you teach him right from wrong, help him put on shoes on his feet so that he may walk for peace, help him with the shield of faith to trust God in all times, help him put on the helmet of salvation to know Jesus Christ as Lord, and help him to carry the sword of the Spirit so that he will know God’s Word of truth.
We pray that with a strong name like Marcus, named after Roman emperors and Mars the god of war, this little child, Marcus will be strong in the Lord.
Jason and Marcia told me that the name, “Mia” means “wished for child” and phonetically in Hebrew, it means “from Yahweh.” Throughout the biblical tradition, we read about parents who wished for a child and through these children our wishes for good things and blessings came true. Abraham and Sarah wished for a child even in their old age and their prayer came true. Elizabeth wished that her son would become the prophet preparing a way for the Lord. And Mary wished that her child would fulfill God’s plan to bring salvation, peace and goodwill to all people. All their wishes came true and we are here because our wishes became prayers that God answered.
Jason who is preparing for professional ministry and Marcia who is also gifted for ministry hope that Mia will grow up to proclaim the Gospel, stand for truth, be generous, an encourager to others, and a faithful woman of God so that she may experience the immeasurable riches of Christ in her life. With Jason’s vocational plans, Mia will become a “PK,” a preacher’s kid! If it’s God’s plan, perhaps Mia will follow in her parents’ footsteps. She may walk by the Spirit and is sensitive and open to the Spirit’s leading and calling in her life.
Both sets of these parents pray that their children will be “kind.” Marcus’ Chinese name, “Chak-Yan” means kind. Mia’s parents want her to be “kind-hearted.” Forgive me for being still caught up with the historic election results we experienced this past week. But today, I now have more hope for our country and for the world. We will need more people who are kind-hearted.
In Ephesians 4:31-5:2, we read, Put away from all your bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” We all pray that Marcus and Mia will grow up in a kinder world and through their lives committed to kindness, they will help bring about a world committed to peace and justice.
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/her by his/her given name, Marcus Chak-Yan Li and Mia Anne Kuo. 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 Marcus and Mia to God, do you promise that through the grace given you and in partnership with this church, you will teach him/her the truths and responsibilities of the Christian faith, and seek to lead him/her 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.
Don holds Marcus, “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.”
Don holds Mia, “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, Marcus and Mia 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.