October 12, 2008
Call to Dedication
Lauren Ng and Daniel Kushner along with Story’s Grandmother, Grandfather and Godfather, Franklin Onwubuariri are presenting Story Ng Kushner, born on May 23, 2008 to be dedicated to the Lord, 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.”
Message
Being a Yeh Yeh for the fifth time has trained me to be able to tell a story without actually reading the words. A grandchild selects a book and from having told it many times before, you simply begin by saying, “Once upon a time…” and you end it with “they lived happily ever after.” If the child is still too young to know, every episode is right and if the child were old enough to know the real series of events, she would correct you. In the end, it’s not how you tell the story that’s important but it’s the fact that you told the story at all.
Lauren and Daniel have once again named their child with a name that is endowed with promise and possibilities. While Sage already possesses the gift of wise sayings, Story suggests to us that life is not just a one-act play. Born on May 23rd, Story has almost 4 months of eating, burping, sleeping, pooping, and giggling to connect together for a tale. Every day of her life, every week, month, and year, every grade she completes in school, every milestone she comes across, every time you reprimand your daughter, every boyfriend she meets, every achievement and even some failures along the way will be strung together to compose this life story of Story Ng Kushner. And today we are happy to have all of you play the roles of the supporting characters in this true story of Story.
Story is named after a slight play on the sound of the name of one of her Great Grandfather Torrey Shih. Here is a servant of God with a great life story. We hope that Lauren and Daniel will take time to tell this story to Story when she’s old enough to listen to it. This true story is about trusting God during difficult times and following Christ’s ways to the very end. It’s a very good read.
One of the greatest stories ever told is like one of those “fast-breaking stories” that’s newsworthy to be reported. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ is such a front-page story that 4 writers wrote about it and to this day, the Bible is still the most popular and read book in history. When we see our life stories along side with the life story of Jesus Christ, our stories become full of adventure, drama, glory, and love. And like every good story at the end, we can say, “they lived happily ever after.”
Today, we officially welcome Story Ng Kushner into this community of family to begin her life story. It’s already 4 months long but we pray and hope in the love and providence of God our Creator that Story will live a long life and people near and far might one day say, “Here’s Story, she is living a life that is worth telling.”
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 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 her by her given name, Story Ng Kushner. From this day forward, we will pray for her to grow up, mature in faith in God by providing her 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 this child’s life and purpose in the world.
Ritual
To the Parents:
In presenting Story to God, do you promise that through the grace given you and in partnership with this church, you will teach her the truths and responsibilities of the Christian faith, and seek to lead her into a living relationship with Jesus Christ?
Parents: We will.
To the Congregation:
Do you, the loving family of this child and members and friends of this church, accept the responsibility, together with the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, to teach this child that she 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 the 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 this little one to this house of worship, that among your people they might present her to you. Give to these parents your special graces of insight and love that under their guidance, Story 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 this child, providing her with food for the spirit to nourish her through the years of growth and maturity. With gratitude for this child we dedicate her, her parents, and ourselves, to the end that her life may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. Amen.