Lent 2. Service of Baby Blessing
Call to worship
We have come here, not because we have all the answers but because Christ Jesus has made given us enquiring minds and questioning hearts.
We have come, not because we are better than others, but because we know that God does not reject us when we fail.
We have come, not because our lives always run smoothly `but because by faith we walk together towards a promised land.
We are here to worship a God who never wearies and to praise a Saviour who is always optimistic.
Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise (omit verses 2 ,3 and 4)
Prayers
Loving God, we thank you that for all who walk by faith there is always light for those who truly want to see, and enough bread for those who want to be profoundly nourished.
In this hour of worship, please stabilise our faith, and enlarge our love.
May we who pause to worship you here, be happy in serving you as we encourage our fellow travellers on the long road ahead.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen!!
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
With quiet confidence in the grace and quiet power of God, let us confess our sins and accept renewal. Let us pray. (Silence)
God our Holy Friend, we admit to each other and to you, that we are creatures in whom good and evil are unevenly entwined.
Sometimes we set out to do what seems good, only to later discover that we have been manipulated by evil from within us.
At other times we have been afraid of our weakness, yet have achieved far better than we expected.
Sometimes we have relied on our education and worldly wisdom, only to find out how foolish we really are.
At other times we have trembled at our own ignorance, yet have acted in far wiser ways than we thought possible.
Some times we have pretended to be thoughtful and generous, yet in fact we have sought nothing but self interest.
At other times we have been appalled at our entrenched selfishness, yet have managed to treat others fairly and kindly.
God our Holy Friend, we place in your hands the tangled web that is our lives. By your relentless and patient grace in Christ, forgive and remove all that is sinful, untwist that which is tangled, free that which is knotted, mend that which is broken, and bring balance and harmony into our experience. In the name of Christ Jesus our Saviour, Amen!
FORGIVENESS
We have not been born to condemnation but to salvation.
In Christ there is forgiveness and healing for all who are ready to seek, and knock, and ask for grace. In the name of Christ who declares: Your sins are forgiven! Let us respond together with the family prayer.
Notices and Offerings
Hymn: Lead us Heavenly Father, lead us.
Bible Reading
Sermon
(Start Pic : My family Tree)
When we turn to scripture it’s a bit like doing some family research. Delving into the history of the people of God, and family of God - and we carry on this heritage today. And as we look at certain characters we find ourselves. We looked last week at Adam and his frailties, and how we saw ourselves there! And today we look at two more characters and again discover family traits in these two, that we see often in ourselves and as we look again we can learn for our own development and growth.
Abram and Nicodemus - two people who encountered God.
Two people: similar. In certain ways, different in others:
Similarities:
Both were Men,
both thought to be senior in years,
both people who we suspect had faith and some kind of relationship with God prior to their encounter.
For both were open to God
Yet different:
One who God suddenly spoke to,
The other who went seeking out the Lord
One expressed active faithfulness
The other comes curiously.
One doesn't say a word (Or should I add - no word is recorded)
The other dialogues and wants to know more
One who appears to respond quickly
The other who we don't find out more about till several chapters later
One who becomes the father of a nation
The other who become a bit player in the salvation story.
Yet both these stories are about dedication and commitment. Both these stories say something to us that getting involved with God requires commitment .
Slide Two: Abraham and Nic - small pics on one?)
In Lent we look again at Abram - who God renamed Abraham - at his devotion, determination, dedication and direction and we see in him faith in action, living faith - that enabled new things to come into play for the people of God.
We also look at Nicodemus we see curious faith, intelligent questioning, his doubts, even timidity. - yet we also know that this dialogue, this encounter resulted in a change of ways for Nicodemus, and he positively responded to the words of Christ in a way that got him involved with Jesus.
Slide Three Abarham
Abram - a man on a journey, Abraham's Father Thare had three sons, Abram, Nachor, and Aran. Abram married Sarai. Thare took Abram and his wife, Sarai, and Lot, and leaving Ur of the Chaldees, came to Haran where they lived until Thare died.
Then, at the call of God, Abram, with his wife, Sarai, and Lot, and the rest of his belongings, went into the Land of Chanaan, symbolically claiming the land for God and his people. The covenant made to Abraham was that all nations would be blessed through him.
Slide Four Nic
Nicodemus - A prominent Jew, a Pharisee who comes to Christ by night.
Judging from John 19:39, Nicodemus must have been a man of means, and it is probable that he wielded a certain influence in the Sanhedrin.
Jesus calls him a master in Israel.
He appears in this interview as a learned and intelligent believer, but timid and not easily initiated into the mysteries of the new faith.
Slide five - Two again: Abraham and Nic - small pics on one?
This morning I invite you to see the family resemblance, to see yourself in these characters in their strengths, in their personalities. For both these Biblical characters had living encounters with God, and both were challenged and both were changed as a result of this meeting.
They lived hundreds of years apart Abraham called in approx 2090 BC - and nearly 3000 years later comes the Nicodemus encounter. Yet both these stories contain evidence of a God in relationship with his people, and our story nearly 2000 years later contained this truth too!
Slide six: Stop
For God is still calling his people to respond to his voice. Still calling man and women, boys and girls to get involved in his work of justice, righteousness, peace and mercy. Still challenging us to make a difference, still calling us to a deeper commitment - to carry on the family business of faithfulness, obedience and dedication.
There will be times when we too have a living encounter with God, maybe at home, on our own in prayer, travelling to work, walking to the shops - suddenly we are aware of God and his plan for our lives, of Gods voice in our hearts, of his presence close at hand.
Slide seven : Go sign
There are times when we like Abraham respond quickly and eagerly, and other times like Nicodemus when we will have our questioning and our doubts - but God takes us as we are, as he took these two characters, and uses us to bring about his Kingdom and show his love.
At this table this morning we encounter God again - in broken bread and outpoured wine we readily engage with the Christ who comes to us. But beware, for when he comes he often speaks to our hearts about the things we need to do, the places we need to go, the things we need to sort out, the way we need to be. Christ has a habit of revealing to us the things we would choose to hide deep within us and challenge us to do something about it. As Abraham and Nicodemus had their lives changed by their encounter with God - may we each be challenged and changed as we respond to a living relationship with Him. Amen
Song: Give thanks (Children join us)
Service of Baby Blessing: Leah Claire John
Introduction
In the name of Jesus we welcome today Sinclair and Tricia with their daughter Leah and members of their wider family and friends.
Sinclair and Tricia are here to present their child before the Lord, as Jesus was presented in the Temple by his parents. In so doing they recognise that Leah is not their personal property but belongs also to God, and that as parents they have responsibilities before God. In their promises they will commit themselves to fulfil those responsibilities.
Chantal, Robert and Janice, are the special friends chosen by Sinclair and Tricia who will promise to nurture and encourage Leah throughout her life.
And as a church, we shall welcome Leah on behalf of the Church of Christ. as Jesus welcomed children brought to him. Also we shall promise in the presence of God to offer our support and friendship to this child and her family, and to join with Sinclair and Tricia in sharing our faith in Jesus Christ in the hope that she may one day discover such a faith for herself.
Finally, we shall ask God’s blessing on Leah.
First some verses from Matthew's Gospel 18: 3-4.
Jesus said: Truly, I tell you, unless you turn round and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself and becomes like this child will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven”.
Let us pray:
Living God, we praise you, the creator of all things,
The giver of all life, and the Father of each person.
Joyfully we thank you for the gift of new life in the birth of this child.
For all that you have given and will give to us through her.
For the potential of her new life;
For the love and hope she has awakened
And for the care which surrounds her
Accept our thanks and praise
In the name of Jesus Christ – Amen.
The Promise: The parents are asked by the minister:
Minister Sinclair and Tricia do you thank God for his gift of your child, and do you accept the joys and duties of parenthood, promising to give love and care to your child?
Parents We do.
Minister Do you promise to bring your daughter up within the Christian community and to share your own faith with her?
Parents We do.
Minister What names have you given to your daughter?
Parents Leah Clair John
Minister then takes the child from the mother and going to the centre of the church, says:
Minister Leah Clair John I welcome you in the name of the Lord.
(Show her to the congregation)
Turn to Godparents:
Minister Do you Chantel, Robert and Janice as Leah's God parents accept the privilege and responsibility of Godparent to Leah. To stand with Sinclair and Tricia and help them in every way you can and to join with them in the nurturing and encouragement of this little one.
Godparents: We do!
Blessing- Placing hand on the child’s head, the leader says:
Minister over the child
Leah Claire John, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
..... you are one of God’s children, held forever in his love. The blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, rest and remain with you now and always.
Minister gives Baby back to Father:
Presentation of candle and certificate.
This light is a reminder of Jesus to you – Jesus who said: I am the light of the world.
May his light shine on Leah always, and may she know his guidance and peace.
As we pray lets Look at the candle and focus on the light.
Celtic Blessing: Christ as a light, illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield, overshadow me. Christ under me, Christ over me, Christ beside me on my left and my right, this day be within and without me. Lowly and meek, yet all powerful, be in the heart of each to whom I speak, in the mouth of each who speaks to me. This day be within and without me. Lowly and meek, yet all powerful, Christ as a light, Christ as a shield, Christ beside me on my left and my right. Amen. …
Prayer of Thanksgiving
God our Father, maker of all that is living, we praise you for the wonder and joy of creation. We thank you for the love that has summoned this child into being, for a safe delivery, and for the privilege of parenthood. Accept our thanks and praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We ask your rich blessing on Leah on her parents Sinclair and Tricia, on the Godparents, Chantal, Robert and Janice and on the family that is Leytonstone United Free Church. We pray that you will surround Leah with love and security. Give her parents grace and wisdom to teach Leah your truth and guide her in your ways; and through their love for this child may they learn to love you more.
We commend to you this home and family, and all the homes and families represented ere this day. Help us in our homes to honour you and to serve one another in your love, and help us to care in Christ’s name for all who are one with us in the family of His church, and for all our neighbours. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song: I'm special
Communion
Many grains were gathered together to make this bread.
Many grapes were mixed to make this wine.
They represent for us that we who are many are joined as one in Christ.
Come to the table of Jesus Christ and share with him and each other.
Come, not because you must, but because you may,
Come, not because you are strong, but because you are weak,
Come, not because you are righteous, but because you sincerely love Christ,
Come, not because you wish to receive the benefits that Christ may bring, but that you wish to be his disciple,
Come, not to express an opinion or to make a statement But to seek his presence and to pray for his spirit.
Gathered around this table, we tell again the story and remember that on the night when Jesus was given up, he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it, and gave it to his disciples saying:
`This is my body which is given for you.
Take and eat in remembrance of me.
'In the same way after the supper,
he took the cup and gave it to his disciples saying:
`This cup is the new covenant sealed with my blood.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
'In this time and in this place we do as our Saviour has commanded and so let us come to God with our prayers of confession and thanksgiving.
For Forgiveness - Hear us now, O Christ, and breathe your Holy Spirit upon us and on this bread and wine.
May they become for us your body, vibrant with your life,
healing, renewing and making us whole.
As the bread and wine which we now eat and drink are changed into us,
may we be changed again into you, bone of your bone,
flesh of your flesh, loving and caring in the world.
Amen.
Let us respond together with the words: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
On the plate with the bread are some grapes – these are particularly for the children who do not yet take the bread and wine, but available to whoever wishes to partake. This isn’t a second rate communion, for the grape is a vital part of the life of the vine, just as our children our a vital part of church life. The grape – not yet trodden down by the feet of those who would seek to make it into something else; not fully matured, but full of potential and possibilities. I would invite you to take two grapes – one to eat immediately, and the other to eat when we drink the wine as a park of our unity in Christ.
If there are any babies in arms, who are not yet up to eating grapes. This is the time to come forward for a prayer of blessing - and I would invite you to come just now.
Look, the body of Christ is broken for the life of the world.
Look, the blood of Christ is shed for the life of the world.
Here is Christ coming to us in bread and in wine.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Receive His with joy and gladness.
Sharing:
Please stand - and reach out to each other as we pray.
In this circle of prayer - let us remember our world, our communities, our families, and those we have promised to pray for. Open time of prayer.
(Lord in this moment of unity and prayer we bring to you: )
Hymn on sheet: I, the Lord of sea
Benediction.
Being here together has been a resting place on the long journey of faith.
Move on from here with your spirits renewed and your heads held high.
Exactly where this week will take us, each of us is uncertain.
The one thing certain that we shall never travel alone. Amen!