Dedication

A Note from the Pastor…

Whenever I have the opportunity to join a husband and wife in marriage before God and before a congregation – I almost always include one scripture, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him,” (Psalm 127:3). We live in a world, where too often, children are viewed as burdensome or even disposable. Yet, every single child is truly a blessing from the Lord. No matter the circumstances of the parents, no matter the views of society, and no matter the laws of the land.

 Yet, with such a wonderful gift from God – also comes a great responsibility from God. The Bible commands us, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6). Colossians 3:21 states, “Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged,” and Proverbs 29:15 also reminds us, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.” Clearly, being a parent is not always easy. Sometimes, mistakes are made. Sometimes, we lose our patience. Sometimes, we feel like we fail. Sometimes, we don’t measure up to God’s holy standards.

“Dedicating” a child to the Lord is not a “finish line,” – but rather serves as a starting line. It is the God-given job of every Christian parent to raise up their children in the “fear and knowledge of the Lord,” – apart from any public declaration. Yet, it is a joy to celebrate and pray for the “smallest among us” as a church! This morning, we are not gathering to do a traditional “dedication” but rather, as a church, we want to come along side each family in prayer, each person in encouragement, and help each child learn more about Jesus! May each of us follow Christ’s example as He shares in the Gospel of Matthew, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

       Pastor Chris