October 29th, 2023

Baby Dedication

Introduction

This morning we have the wonderful privilege of recognizing the birth of two precious babies in our congregation. I would like to invite:

Jimmy and HIlda Neufeld and their baby girl Octavia Silvia; and

James and Amanda Wolfe and their baby boy Julian Frank

to come up on the stage as they would like to dedicate their children to the Lord.

Picture

Octavia Silvia Neufeld was born on October 6th, 2023, weighing 8 lbs 4 oz.

Julian Frank Wolfe was born on October 13th, 2023, weighing 6 lbs 15 oz.

Baby dedications are important for a number of reasons:

First, we recognize that God is the author of life, and has created every child in His own image.

Second, we acknowledge it is the parents responsibility to raise children to know and love God, their Creator and Saviour.

Third, we as a church commit to support them in that task through prayer and service.

Certificate

Jimmy and HIlda… James and Amanda,

today you are expressing your desire to raise these beautiful children that God has blessed you with, in the wisdom and fear of the Lord.

We would like to give each of you this certificate,

which is a reminder of your commitment,

as well as our commitment as a church to support you, any way we can.

Prayer

Lord, this morning we acknowledge Your power and greatness through the birth of these beautiful children.

Over the last year, you have been knitting them together in their mother’s womb, and we rejoice with Jimmy and Hilda, and James and Amanda, that we now get to see the work of Your hands.

Octavia and Julian have been created in Your image, and Your desire is that they come to know You through their parents, and this church, so that they will experience Your goodness and glorify You forever.

We bring these children before You this morning, knowing that Jesus welcomed children and blessed them.

We pray for You to protect and guide these children through their lives.

We pray that You will give their parents the patience and wisdom to raise them according to Your Word.

We pray that You will help us as a church to support them in their desire to raise godly children.

We have confidence to pray these things because Jesus told the disciples to let the little children come to Him…

not to hinder them from coming, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Ultimately that is our desire, that they will one day enjoy unhindered access to Your glorious presence in eternity.

To that end we pray for them to come to know their need for their Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to one day work together alongside us as a church as we seek to share the good news of the gospel with all generations, until Christ our Lord returns.

We ask all of this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction: Joel Giesbrecht

This past Summer, Pastor Jake and I had the privilege of leading a preaching class.

It was an intense seminary level course, but five young men stepped up to the challenge.

This morning we have the privilege of hearing one of them speak to us.

Joel Giesbrecht was born and raised in this church by his parents Diedrich & Anna Giesbrecht.

It’s fitting that we have a child dedication today, as we see the faithfulness of God in Joel’s life,

as his parents, with the help of this church, brought him up in the fear of the Lord.

During our preaching class over the Summer, I had these 5 young men critique one of my sermons, to help them understand the principles of preaching we were learning.

And they did critique me… I told them I would get back at them, and now is my opportunity.

Joel has always been a goody-two-shoes…

I can tell you a story to prove it!

About 20 years ago, this is about what Joel would have looked like.

At that time in our church, the adults and children would meet together here in worship center before the kids would go to their SS classes. We would sing songs, do Scripture memory…

and one time, they asked if any of the kids could name all of the books of the Bible.

I definitely did not know it, but you know who did? It was Joel! And he did it, flawlessly.

Thanks for making the rest of us look bad Joel!

I’m clearly still not over it…

Joel found and married the love of his life, Courtney, here at this church.

They have been married for over two years, and they both continue to pour into this church through their service.

We are so excited with Joel & Courtney, that they have recently found out that they are expecting a child of their own.

Joel has been serving in the Jr. Youth ministry here at LEMC for about 9 years, and has been a leader for about 3 years.

He faithfully loves and teaches God’s Word to these young teens, calling and inspiring them to live their lives for the glory of God.

We are grateful for your willingness to speakto us Joel, and are excited to hear what God has laid on your heart.

Join me in welcoming Joel Giesbrecht!