Presentation Sunday, XVIII
Pastor Joe Fuiten,
January 29, 2006
Scott & Kathleen wrote: We wanted to let you all know that we came to Presentation
Sunday last year. Our baby boy is due in March! After three and a
half years of frustration, tears, fertility treatments and a failed adoption we
rejoice in what Jesus has done for us. We've chosen to name the baby
Simeon after the prophet. One of the meanings of the name Simeon is
'God's promise fulfilled.' The Lord fulfilled His promise to us that we'd
have a child someday. We stood in faith through all of our trials and
soon this baby will be here. AMEN!
Scripture Reading Luke 2:22-33 (page
725 in the Pew Bible)
22 When the time of their purification according to
the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord,
"Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), 24 and to
offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a
pair of doves or two young pigeons." 25 Now there was a man in
First, we
have learned that holding a service like this meets a tremendous need in the
community. One in four couples has
some difficulty having children. One in
six is technically infertile. That is,
they have tried to have children for one year without success. There are a lot of people who need help in
this area.
Second, we
have learned that holding a service like this meets a tremendous need in the
church. I don’t think there are
more couples in church than in the general population dealing with this
issue. What couples seem to appreciate
about this service is that it brings the topic out into the open for
consideration in the church. So much of church life is built around
children and families. Couples without
children feel validated by this service.
This is a movement that has spread around the world and across the
country because it meets a need in people’s lives. Not just a need for babies but a need for
validation of the struggle.
Third, we
have learned that this service is often the end of the road for couples. That is, they have tried about everything
possible. Some run out of money. Others run out of time. Almost everybody has run out of patience. Sometimes people say, well, we’ve tried
everything else, it really can’t hurt.
However, coming to the end of the road can be a good thing. At least then you know that you have tried it
all.
Fourth, we
have learned not to emphasize miracles exclusively. That is why we always tell a medical
intervention success story. Medicine is
one of the ways God answers our prayers.
Many tell us of repeated medical failures prior to this service,
followed by medical successes after this prayer service. In its own way, medical intervention is a
success which comes from the Lord.
Fifth,
everyone who attends can find emotional peace by giving this burden to Jesus. People have come from out of state to be
here. Many have gone to great
effort. What everyone is going to do
today is give this to Jesus. If
it was in your power to solve this, you would already have solved it. The point is you can’t solve this problem. This moment is an acknowledgement of
that. When you kneel at this altar
today, leave the burden here. Just give
it to the Lord. In turn, God will give
you his peace.
Sixth,
this is a special kind of faith journey. Some of
you know Jesus well. Others not so much
and still others don’t even believe. I
have discovered that God is good.
Answers come to Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, lapsed Christians,
and faithful Christians. Answers even
come to people who didn’t really want to come but were dragged here by their
spouses. I have learned, as the
Scripture says, that it is the goodness of God that leads us to
repentance.
James 5:13-16
teaches us about prayer. “Is any one of you in trouble? He should
pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick?
He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with
oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the
sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be
forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other
so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and
effective.”
The point is that all of us are on a
journey. We are like ripening fruit. God is working with us all because of his
love and mercy. He never stops loving
us.
Read the
Prayer cards:
Heavenly Father,
Mary and Joseph had the
joy of presenting Jesus in the temple. Thank you for the blessing of our
children. Bless every married couple with the joy of raising children.
Especially touch those who, so far, have not been able to have children.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Prayer for infertile couples
Heavenly Father,
You are a great and
mighty God, creator of heaven and earth.
We ask for your comfort
and peace in these lives. We pray for comfort for their souls. Let them know
that you love them. Let them know that you care. Let them know that in their
time of suffering, you have not left them to face the pain alone. God be with them.
We pray for peace
between husband and wife, that the struggles of life will draw them closer to
each other. Bless them with a strong relationship and a strong marriage.
We pray for peace in
their souls and hearts, having done all they can, to put their confidence in
you. Take away all anxiety and fear. Give them the joy of knowing that their
lives and their future are in your hands.
We ask for healing for
their bodies. If there is some disorder, disease, or dysfunction that prevents
conception, we ask for your healing. If some can conceive, but are unable to
carry the baby to term, we ask for healing.
We pray for the blessing
of their home with children.