When Jamie and Ingrid brought Gorman forward it was just the beginning of a very special day of worship. We had already sung "The Old Rugged Cross" and had a chance to greet some old friends. Fred Green was back and all aglow with that smile that only new grandparents can share. Stacia and Nick had given him his first grandson, Maximus Grange and Gwyn was down in Florida taking pictures and giving hugs. Patricia and Steve Ohlund were back too. They have been attending the First Baptist Church of Lebanon this summer. It is a little closer to their home and a very welcoming congregation.
Jamie and Ingrid had family and friends present for the celebration and Gorman was awake and ready. They came forward during the singing of the hymn "This Child We Dedicate" and then I explained the rationale behind our family dedication ceremonies. It is a simple service where the parents thank God for the gift of their child and promise to raise him or her in a Christian home where the child can come to know about the love of God.
We also ask the congregation get involved by asking them if they will stand with the parents and support them by providing a church family that they can come to for encouragement and advice. On Sunday I introduced Gorman to everyone and told him that he had several big brothers and sisters that he could count on to help him and his parents going forward. He smiled and looked around at everyone. Then I prayed over him and his parents asked God to bless them with wisdom and good health.
I invited the children forward and brought out baby Jesus, the one we use at Christmas. I noted that we always bring him out and put him in the manger on Christmas eve but then we put him away until next year. I said that this made Jesus sad. He wanted to be with us all the time. Then I pointed out that Jamie, Ingrid and Jesly were going to be baptized and when they did that they were really inviting Jesus to be with them every day from now on.
After the offering and announcements we sang "Just As I Am." Our scripture was from Luke 14:1-12 and in my message I noted that Jesus was the guest of honor at a banquet and he used the occasion to talk about who God wanted to see at his table. The point was that God cares about us and wants us all to sit at table with him.
That set the stage for our baptism service out at Camp Wightman. We left church at 10:2o a.m and drove out to North Stonington to our Baptist camp. There we invited Jesly Souvenance, Ingrid and Jamie Todd to come forward to be baptized by immersion.
Jesly came out to the water first.
Ingrid came next.
Jamie was the third and final person to enter the water.
It was a beautiful ceremony and celebration of new life. It was also the end of a great morning of worship.
Cal
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