Baby
Dedication: Samuel John Lindbeck Pastor
Children are a gift from God. Psalm 127:3 proclaims that "Sons are
a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." As believers we are
called to recognize that children belong first and foremost to God. God in his
goodness gives children as gifts to parents. They not only have the awesome
responsibility of caring for this gift, but also the wonderful privilege of
enjoying the gift.
Because children belong to God and are given by grace as gifts to
parents, it is only proper and appropriate that children be dedicated back to
God.
We are told in 1 Samuel 1 that Hannah presented her son Samuel to the
Lord.
In Luke
In the same way, Christian
and Jennifer Lindbeck today bring their son Samuel John, presenting first themselves and then their son before
the Lord our God.
Accompanying them in making this commitment are Sam’s grandparents:
And witnessing this as well is Sam’s big brother, Josiah.
Jennifer and Christian, I call your attention to God’s commands recorded
in Holy Scripture. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 tells us:
"Hear O
Ephesians 6:4 says:
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring
them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
God's instructions are plain.
Christian and Jennifer, love God with every ounce and fiber of your
energy and teach Sam to do the same. As you love God, one another, and Josiah,
you will model before Sam a wonderful love for God that he will want for
himself.
Jennifer and Christian, by coming forward before God and his people, do
you hereby declare your desire to dedicate yourselves and your son Samuel John to
the Lord? If so, please respond by saying "we do."
Having come freely, I ask now that you enter into the following
commitment in the presence of God and his people (Wife hands child to husband
as a sign of his spiritual headship in the family).
So that Samuel may walk in the abundant life that Christ offers, do you
Christian and Jennifer Lindbeck vow by God's help and in partnership with the
church, to provide Samuel a Christian home of love and peace, to raise him in
the truth of our Lord's instruction and discipline, and to encourage him to one
day trust Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord? ("We do.")
I ask that the church make a vow as well. There's an old proverb that
says "it takes a village to raise a child." Parents have first
responsibility. But parents need the help and support of the community. Modeling
this kind of love cannot be done alone. It requires the help of others. For
this reason, parents call upon the help of family, friends and the church. So I
direct my questions now to the church. By being present in God's house today,
do you hereby declare yourselves to be the children of God because you trust in
Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life? If
this is true, please respond by saying "we do." ("We do.")
Would you please stand? Having come freely, I ask now that you make the
following commitment to those who stand before you: So that Samuel may walk in
the abundant life that Christ offers, do you vow by God's help, to be faithful
in your calling as members of the body of Christ, to help Jennifer and
Christian be faithful to God, and to help teach and train Samuel in the ways of
the Lord so that he might one day trust him as Savior and Lord? If you accept
this responsibility, please respond by saying "we do."
(Christian hands Sam to Dan for prayer of dedication)
Worship in
Song Pastor
Lord, I Lift
Your Name on High
Forever
Grateful
To God Be the
Glory (#66)
Holy is the
Lord
Take My Life
I Sing
Praises to Your Name
Shout to the
Lord
Proclamation
Old
Testament: Psalm
4:1-4
New
Testament:
Philippians 2:3-11
Creed: Apostles’ Creed
I believe in
God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived
by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
On the third
day he rose again;
he ascended
into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will
come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in
the Holy Spirit, the holy Church universal,
the communion
of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the
resurrection of the body,
and the life
everlasting. Amen.
Be Still and
Know (excerpt from #343)
Be still and
know that I am God
Be still and
know that I am God
Be still and
know that I am God
Homily Pastor
Dan Neary
Anger and
Charity
1st
Week – Pride & Faith
(Pointed to the truth of human dignity in relationship to God)
2nd
Week – Envy & Hope
(More than simply jealousy and wishing)
3rd
Week – Anger and Charity
Anger is more than Mad,
and
Charity is more than Giving
Someone
suggested that I could be the poster child for Anger and Charity.
This is
really an oversimplification… and this is true about all of the Seven Deadly
Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues… but it may be truer about this pair than any
other:
That which
stands in the middle of Anger and Charity is self.
Anger (345 occurrences in The Bible)
Anger is a
strong emotional reaction of displeasure, often leading to plans for revenge or
punishment. Anger often starts innocent enough… but when it is incubated, it
turns to destruction and sin.
Be angry
and sin not (Psalm 4:4, Ephesians
Charity is
more than “letting be.” It is not just grace to let someone by… it is a
demonstrated, real act of love and kindness. It is more than “God bless you;”
it is “I will help you.”
Charity
Both Anger and
Charity are addressed head-on by a passage of Scripture I referenced earlier. I
almost chose this as our New Testament reading. Please turn to James 1. (James
1:19-27)
James passage
paints a picture of a continuum
What can you
take with you today?