A Natural Family

The Dedication of Emmett Adugna Firew Burton

September 21, 2008

Stamford Church of Christ

DALE:

We turn our spiritual focus now to the presentation of Emmett Adugna Firew Burton to this church family and to the commitment of his parents Justin and Kathryn Burton to guiding him in his spiritual journey. We start with the acknowledgement of his first family, who first adored him and who, by their gift of sacrifice, modeled for him and for us that most enduring of principles—Love, and who also set an example in the difficult task of placing their trust in the unknown and the unknowable. For these gifts we are grateful. We light two votives today in honor of his first parents, Ayelech Boleka and Firew Dubale.

In the years ahead, Emmett Adu will himself have the opportunity to act on his own faith and dedicate himself to God and his life to the service of others. And in that sacred moment he will find new birth, his own life’s turning point, spiritual resurrection, the forgiveness of God and the presence of the Spirit of God.

But it also seems good and right and holy that the very young be consecrated and dedicated to God, in the spirit of Hanna dedicating her young son, Samuel, and in the spirit of Joseph and Mary consecrating Jesus to the LORD. It is good and right and holy to acknowledge, praise and celebrate God in all of life’s great passages.

DEBBIE:

Parent Dedication: Will you be responsible for teaching him these lessons that we see reflected in Christ Jesus… (‘We will, with God’s help’ after each line)

-To speak in defense of the oppressed, to recognize, call out, and try to correct injustice

-To live as a peacemaker

-To love his enemies [Answer]

-To applaud faith wherever he finds it

-To listen and discern the wisdom offered from traditions and cultures that are different from his own

-To shelter the homeless [Answer]

-To absorb the anger of others and turn evil back on itself

-To comprehend the power of one man’s voice and the need to use it effectively and humbly

-To live selflessly, focused on the needs of others, knowing that one’s own fulfillment comes in ministry to another

-To live simply, so he can give generously [Answer]

-To trust God in all circumstances

-To put his life on the line for others

-To love first, second, and last and to know that when all else fails, love abides [Answer]

And recognizing your own shortcomings and fallibilities, do you pledge to strive to live your own lives by these principles, sure in the grace that catches you when you fall, so that the teaching you provide Emmett Adu may be modeled and not just spoken? [Answer]

DALE:

God Village:

Kathryn and Justin understand the necessity in having a large support group in raising a child. It is with this spirit that they are not naming godparents, but a ‘God-village.’ Village members present today include Cara and Lucas Pauls, Laura and Matt Benton, Mandy, Josh, and Micah Orozco, and Jennie and Steven Baird, along with all members of this church and some who were unable to be present today.

To all who are committed members of Emmett Adu’s God-village:

Because of your concern for Emmett Adu’s spiritual welfare and development, will you in good faith and from you heart support and encourage him in his Christian life?

Answer: We will, with God’s help.

Now to the whole church assembled and risen,

Please rise and note that the answer to the question I am about to ask is, “We will, with God’s help.”

Will you who witness these vows help Emmett Adu – by your prayers, witness and life – to grow into the full stature of Christ?

Answer: We will with God’s help.

Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support Kathryn and Justin by your prayers, witness, and life – to grow into the full stature of Christ?

Answer: We will, with God’s help.

Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support Justin and Kathryn in their lives in Christ as Emmett Adu’s father and mother?

Answer: We will, with God’s help.

Please be seated.

LOT

Langston Hughes ‘I Dream a World’

I dream a world where man

No other man will scorn,

Where love will bless the earth

And peace its paths adorn.

I dream a world where all

Will know sweet freedom's way,

Where greed no longer saps the soul

Nor avarice blights our day.

A world I dream where black or white,

Whatever race you be,

Will share the bounties of the earth

And every man is free,

Where wretchedness will hang its head

And joy, like a pearl,

Attends the needs of all mankind--

Of such I dream, my world!

*****

DEBBIE

Let us pray:

Father, we come before you with praise and gratitude, thanking you for the miracle of birth and the miracle of adoption, for the precious sweetness and innocence of Emmett Adu.

We thank you for the faith of his parents, his first parents, the men and women who cared for him when he was away from his parents, and for all the generations of faith that have gone before.

We know that our lives do not stand alone, that they reach back and draw strength from across continents, from the past and the present, and that they live on into the future, through the families you have given us.

Father, help us to honor always those who have gone before and keep us profoundly aware of our responsibility to those who follow after us.

Now, Father, we ask that you bless Emmett Adu.

Grant him full measures of your health and happiness.

May he grow in understanding you.

May he learn to trust you completely.

Protect him from evil.

Lead him one day to a life fully committed to you and to your ways.

May he serve you loyally in your kingdom on earth and then welcome him to everlasting life with you.

To you we commit Emmett Adu, and to you we commit ourselves.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen