Family Worship Day

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Good morning, Garden family.

Before we dive in, I just wanted to mention for everyone that does not have a church home and is looking…and for everyone that would just like some more information about the church utilize the tap tags that are on the back of all of the gold seats.

You don’t need to take a picture of the tag, all you need to do is hold the top of your phone against the tag and a microsite will pop up with the website, the church app, info on connecting, prayer, giving and the weekly email. It is a super easy and convenient way to get more info about us. If you need help, ask your neighbor.

PREPARE FOR WORSHIP:

Well, today marks the beginning of Advent — a season that reminds us that hope has a name: And it’s Jesus.

And this morning, that hope is going to be on full display as we dedicate children and their families, celebrate baptisms and the stories behind them, and remind one another that what the world often sees as small or overlooked, God calls precious and powerful in His hands.

And today is also our Family Worship Sunday. Which means we’ve got kids in the room, babies everywhere, energy, noise, movement — and I love it. Because this is the sound of a church filled with life.

Before we move into the singing portion of worship, I want to invite the kiddos to come sit on the carpet, if that’s ok with mom and dad. This will give everyone some more room to sit.

And now I want to pray. But not just a standard opening prayer — I want to pray for what God is about to do in this room, through His Holy Spirit.

Opening Prayer:

“Lord, thank You for today. Thank You for the many who will be dedicated and for the many who will share their testimonies in these coming moments. We want to celebrate them, and reaffirm our own decisions to trust you, by boldly declaring alongside of them:

‘I have decided to follow Jesus.’

Spirit, speak today. Move among Your people. Help us experience the beauty of King Jesus through these professions of faith. Thank You that You see us — bruised, flickering, imperfect — and yet You promise us hope. Make this service a living picture of Your gentle, redeeming love. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

HAND OVER TO TOBY

2 SONGS: (MOVE TO SIDE STAGE WITH FAMILIES TO GO UP FOR DEDICATION)

FAMILY DEDICATIONS —

Transition from Worship

Church, as we move into this moment of family dedications,

I want you to hear my heart: We are not performing an empty ritual.

We are proclaiming hope.

When we dedicate children and their families, we are declaring that Jesus is our foundation — and we are promising as a church to lock arms with these parents, to disciple these babies in community, and to point them toward Jesus all the days of their lives.

But parents — hear this — the most consistent discipleship your children will ever witness is not here on Sundays… It’s in your home.

And that’s exactly what God tells us in Deuteronomy 6.

Read Deuteronomy 6:5–9

Deuteronomy 6:5–9 ESV

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

(ADDRESS PARENTS ON STAGE)

Parents, God’s Word says discipleship begins with your proximity to God.

You shall love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and might. His Word shall be on your heart. Then you shall teach your children.

When you sit in your house. When you walk by the way. When you lie down. When you rise.

This is discipleship in the natural rhythms of life.

And His Word doesn’t stop there. It says as the Word moves from our hearts, to our households, it will overflow on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates. It will move into your communities…your workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, etc.

So this dedication moment is not just about these children — it’s a promise you as their parents are making. Now I am going to say a phrase and then ask the question, “Do you promise to do so?” And if you agree say, “Only by the grace of God.” Cool?

So parents, today you are making a promise:

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Do you promise to do so? Only by the grace of God.

Today you are making a promise:

To teach His Word to your children with intentionality and consistency. Do you promise to do so? Only by the grace of God.

Today you are making a promise:

To live out these truths in your workplace, your neighborhood, and wherever the Lord leads. Do you promise to do so? Only by the grace of God.

Church, these little ones remind us: God’s promises don’t stop with us.

So Father give these parents the grace to love your Word, know your Word, teach your Word and live your Word in a way that blesses their own hearts, and overflows into their households and communities.

DEDICATIONS FOR EACH FAMILY

Nick & Christian Eyster — Eden (5) & Ezra (3)

Eden’s verse: 2 Timothy 1:7

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Ezra’s verse: Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

“Nick and Christian, as you dedicate Eden and Ezra, you are proclaiming that the most important thing you can give them is not comfort, success, or safety — it’s Jesus.” Hand them their letter and book.

Matt & Jess Cook — Alice (1)

Verse: Numbers 6:25–26

Numbers 6:25–26 ESV

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.

“Matt and Jess, as you dedicate Alice, you are declaring that her greatest blessing is not a perfect life, but a God who keeps her, shines upon her, and gives her peace.” Hand letter and book.

Sonny & Kailey Fernandez — Rocky (6 months)

Verse: Proverbs 23:26

Proverbs 23:26 ESV

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

“Sonny and Kailey, as you dedicate Rocky, you are praying what Solomon prayed — ‘My son, give me your heart.’ That he would one day look to Jesus with a heart fully His.” Letter and book.

Wade & Sarah Cosgrove — Ada, Alice, Lewis (6 months)

Verse: Proverbs 3:5–6 (for all three)

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

“Wade and Sarah, you are dedicating your little ones with the prayer that they would learn to trust in the Lord with all their hearts, and let Him make straight their paths.” Letters and books.

Garrison & Brendi Sanchez — Faye (1) & Eleora “Birdie” (9)

Verses: Deut. 4:6–9 & Isaiah 40:28–31

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Isaiah 40:31 ESV

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

“Garrison and Brendi, as you dedicate Faye and Birdie, you are pointing them toward the God who never grows faint or weary — the God who renews strength and carries His people.” Letters and books.

Michael & Misi — Alisha Diane (1)

Verse: 1 Samuel 1:27–28 (“So now I give her…”)

1 Samuel 1:27–28 NIV

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give her to the Lord. For her whole life she will be given over to the Lord.”

“Michael and Misi, as you dedicate Alisha, like Hannah, you are saying, ‘For her whole life she will be given over to the Lord.’ What a beautiful prayer.” Letter and book.

Curtis & Brooke Nelson — Calen (19) & Landon (25)

Verses: 1 Timothy 4:12 & Acts 2:17

1 Timothy 4:12 NIV

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Acts 2:17 NIV

“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

“Curtis and Brooke, as you dedicate Calen and Landon, you are praying that even as young adults, God would use them — that they would be examples in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” Letters and books.

Jamey & Shelley King — Ellis (1)

Verse: 1 Timothy 4:12

1 Timothy 4:12 NIV

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

“Jamey and Shelley, as you dedicate Ellis, you are speaking identity over him — that even in his youth God can use him to be an example to others.” Letter and book.

CHURCH RESPONSE (RESPONSIVE READING)

Leader: Church, will you commit to walk alongside these families — praying for them, encouraging them, and modeling the gospel? People: We will, by the grace of God.

Prayer of Dedication

Father, thank You for these families and these precious children. Thank you for the hope these dedications point towards.

Church, will you extend a hand and pray over these families with me?

Father, We ask for Your blessing, Your protection, and Your presence over these families and their homes. Strengthen these parents. Fill their hearts and their homes with Your Word and Your Spirit, and may that Word go with them all of their days. And may these young people grow into mighty men and women of God. For our good and your glory. In Jesus’ name — amen.

Church, let’s celebrate these families with joy by hooting and hollering!

SINGLE SONG, MOVE FAMILIES OFF STAGE AND SET UP FOR BAPTISMS

BAPTISMS —

Transition

Church — if dedication points toward hope… Baptism is hope fulfilled.

Baptism is the outward sign of an inward reality: We belong to Jesus.

Before we baptize anyone, I want you to hear this: Every story you will hear today, no matter how small it may seem, is a miracle of grace.

God uses stories to set captives free.

So when we hear someone share, and when we see them go under the water and rise again, we are witnessing the miracle that God makes all things new — even what feels small or broken. So with that, I want to invite my brother Blake Bassham to kick things off with his girls Piper and Laramie.

(Have Blake introduce them and have Piper and Laramie share their stories)

BAPTISMS

Piper Bassham — share story — baptized by her father, Blake Bassham

Laramie Bassham — share story — baptized by father Blake Bassham

(Invite David to come up with his daughter Bailey. Have him introduce her and share her story)

Bailey Hammond — father David shares her story — baptized by father David Hammond

(Invite Addilyn Gray to come up, introduce her and have her share her story)

Addilyn Gray — Addilyn shares — baptized by Pastor Kenny

(Invite Camp Luce to come up, introduce him and read his story)

Camp Luce — Pastor Kenny shares his story — baptized by Pastor Kenny

(Invite Cecilia Cusano to come up, introduce her and have her share her story)

Cecilia Cusano — shares — baptized by Pastor Kenny

(Invite Lacy Fallis to come up, introduce her and share her story)

Lacy Fallis — story shared by Pastor Kenny — baptized by Pastor Kenny

Psalm 107:2 says,

Psalm 107:2 ESV

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,

You have just heard story after story of the redeemed doing just that. Brothers and sisters, thank you for your stories. And thank you for your love for king Jesus. We celebrate your new life in Him.

SERMON

Text: Matthew 12:20 Main Idea: What the world sees as small and useless, God will use.

Introduction

Church I will certainly not spend long on a message today.

I want the focus of this day to be family. Celebrating the dedications, baptisms, and new stories the Lord is writing.

But I do want to take a moment to tie it into this season of Advent and to the Word.

Everything we’ve witnessed today… has prepared our hearts for this passage. And has prepared our hearts for this season of hope.

Because the theme running through it all, is this:

God does not throw away what the world considers small, insignificant, or broken. He uses it. He heals it. And He breathes hope into it.

That is the heartbeat of Matthew 12:20, which says

Matthew 12:20 ESV

a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory;

1. HOPE COMES TO THE BRUISED (v. 20a)

“A bruised reed He will not break…”

In Jesus’ day, reeds were everywhere. If one was bent or cracked, nobody fixed it. They threw it away. It was useless.

But Jesus doesn’t discard what is broken. He restores it.

Every one of us has been bruised:

by sin

by disappointment

by exhaustion

by insecurity

by fear

by our own failures

by the failures of others

But Jesus says: “Bring your brokenness to me and I’ll carry you.”

I want us to look at this flower. It has a cracked stem, and yet it is still drawing life from the root.

That’s us. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, He keeps nurturing us back to strength, even when we are broken. But we must trust that our strength is in Him, or else we cut ourselves off from the source of life.

2. HOPE REKINDLES THE FAINT (v. 20b)

“…a smoldering wick He will not quench…”

A smoldering wick is barely holding on. It’s not a flame — it’s a wisp of smoke.

But Jesus doesn’t snuff out weak faith. He fans it into flame.

Every child dedicated today… that’s a smoldering wick Jesus is nurturing into a fire.

Every baptism today… that’s Jesus breathing life into a flame the world was ready to snuff out.

He doesn’t discard what looks weak or spent. He draws near to it.

3. HOPE WILL TRIUMPH (v. 20c)

“…until He brings justice to victory.”

What looks small now will one day shine forever.

A baby in a manger A carpenter from Nazareth A bruised reed A smoldering wick A child being dedicated A parent quietly praying A life being baptized A flicker of hope

The world says: “That’s too small.”

God says: “That’s where I do My best work.”

Quote: “The hope of Advent is not that we can hold on to God, but that He holds on to us.”

APPLICATION

For weary parents: God sees your faithfulness.

For those who feel broken: God is not done with you.

And for all of us: Our hope isn’t in our strength, but in His mercy.

This is the gospel in motion: a Savior who doesn’t crush the fragile or extinguish the weary. A King who restores what others have written off.

Jesus thank you for being a different kind of King. Thank you for seeing us, hearing us and coming down to lift us up.

Teach us to see other people the way you do. Teach us to treat others with gentleness and hope. And help us to remember that you are making all things whole as we trust you with all of our heart, soul, and strength.

RESPONSE — WORSHIP & REFLECTION

With that, I want to pray for us to prepare our hearts to receive Communion or The Lord’s Supper, but before I do, I want to make sure I tell you what this is and who it is for.

The Lord’s Supper is where we remember the death of Jesus, and remember that He will return to feast with us in glory. The Lord’s Supper is for believers. If you are not a believer, there is no shame, but we invite you to observe, rather than partake, and we invite you to know Jesus, and to commit to Him. If you aren’t sure of what that might look like, please come talk to me after and I will tell how that looks here at the Garden. Scripture says that those who eat and drink in an unworthy manner, eat and drink judgment on themselves. So, we are doing this because we trust the Word of God, and we want you to trust it too.

So with that, would you bow your heads with me?

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to absorb the punishment our sins deserved.

And thank you for the resurrection of His body, which reminds us that our bodies will be raised to spend eternity in Heaven with you. But we have also been called to proclaim the beauty of heaven, right here and right now through your church.

We praise you for the dedications and baptisms we witnessed today. May we commit to walk out life with these brothers and sisters in Christ.

As we prepare to receive the Lord’s supper, would you bring to mind any unconfessed sins, or unresolved conflicts, and may we lay those at your feet this morning. For you tell us to examine ourselves before we eat the bread and drink the cup so that we do not eat and drink judgment on ourselves. So give us a moment to do just that (pause).

Thank you for the ordinances of baptism and communion. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for the resurrection. Let us honor you in it now. We ask this all in Christ, Amen.

Families — this is a great moment to pray together. Daddies and Mamas, pray for your babies.

Thank God for His faithfulness through the generations. Thank Him for hope. Thank Him that He sees what feels small in your life — and remember that He will use it for our good and His glory.

CLOSING & BENEDICTION — “Hope That Holds”

Church — today we’ve seen that hope is alive: in children dedicated, in hearts baptized, in stories redeemed.

What the world sees as small and useless, God will use. He used a manger. He used a cross. And church — He’s using us.

Benediction: Romans 8:24–25

Romans 8:24–25 ESV

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Church you are sent from here to celebrate the hope we have in Jesus with your voice and your life. Go in Peace!