First, thanks to those who have checked out the video interview featured in yesterday’s post. My friend Ray’s You-Tube site has registered a few extra hits as a result (if you missed it, check it out here).
I’m posting late today because Rebekah and I were en-route to Atlanta for some meetings at Columbia Seminary (more on this over the next couple of days).
AMOS & MORE: For this particular Monday Encouragement Moment I’ll share a few images from worship yesterday at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church. The focus – of course – was on Jesus, but a lot of us had the privilege of seeing Jesus through the eyes of the very young.
The message (and, no, I still can’t link you to a podcast!) addressed The Promotion of Social Righteousness; it was the fifth sermon in Rebekah’s Six Great Ends of the Church series. In short, Rebekah talked about the importance of deliberate and prayerful awareness, and the importance of living as if God was actually serious when Jesus said, “‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25).
JOY: This is certainly a season of firsts here at WFPC, and this Sunday it was Rebekah’s first baptism. Look at the smiles! There’s something about covenant baptism, about the welcoming of a child into the household of God, that without fail touches us in deep places.
As a rule, children around one-year-old don’t tend to go for things like this! But Rebekah always takes the time to get acquainted before church, and her baptisms typically tend to go smoothly. As you can see, this was no exception.
In addition to the baptism, we enjoyed a unique “call to worship” offering from the youth “Liturgical dance” team, and then special music from the always enthusiastic children’s choir.
BACK TO SOCIAL RIGHTEOUSNESS: The children’s message is always designed to tie in with the scripture, and this week’s story did all that was expected and more.
Andre shared a touching tribute to the man who invited his dad home for Christmas when his dad was a young stranger, travelling in the United States as a student from Colombia. “Thank you, God,” Andre prayed with the children, “for making us all different. And thank you for loving us the same. Amen.”
That was the crux of the message, and that is the heart of the idea of social righteousness. It’s our job as Jesus People to carry – and to live – the message that God loves every human being on this planet just the same; and to do everything that we possibly can to make sure that God’s great love is translated into our righteous action.
– DEREK
Good Morning. Our church services and message dealt with social righteousness if you can strain your imaginations. It dealt with Daniel 3 and how the 3 Hebrew boys illustrated their desire to obey the God of Israel and be right with God almighty. Perhaps someone back then changed their heart to see things another way. Social righteousness before the king.
“As a rule, children around one-year-old don’t tend to go for things like this!”…speaking of Baptism.
That is funny because as a rule children around one year of age have zero concept of what you are doing to them. The ceremony only makes the adults feel proud of themselves and that is about the extent of it all.
How presumptuous to dedicate the life of a child to God before the child has the ability to rationalize or make an informed decision for themselves:
Gee son, I know you don’t want to go to church but I dedicated your life to the church right after you were born.
Kid: Why did you do that? Its my life…how can you dedicate MY life away?
What is the Bible verse?
“Send me your young so we can brainwash them early and I will return to you a well-brainwashed adult who wont ever change”…..yeah that’s the one
Tim – Evidently you’re a little confused vis-a-vis infant baptism. I suggest doing a little research into “Covenant Baptism.” I’d recommend you begin with my blog post the day after Rebekah had the amazing privilege of baptizing our granddaughter this summer. Here’s the link http://derekmaul.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/i-have-called-you-by-name-you-are-mine-the-covenant-of-baptism/
I so appreciate you sharing your moments of worship with us. It continues to make us feel connected to your ministries. Infant baptism is an outward sign (as are all baptisms) to the intent for worship. The parents are giving public witness to their intent to raise the child up in faith. As the parents continue to remind the child as he grows that indeed the covenant of God is present and over him, the child is hearing and learning about God’s grace and love.