Dedication Sunday

We are incredibly blessed by our church, Calvary Evangelical Free, here in Rochester.  The teaching is solid, the leadership is transparent, and we have enjoyed many dear relationships that have been nurtured within those walls.  A few times a year, they have Parent/Child Dedication during the service, and we were thankful to be able to participate last week and dedicate Nolan.
**Special thanks to the Piotrowskis, the Schmitts and Mr. David, who all whipped out their cameras to help us capture the event.  Such sweet friends we have!

Happy to join with the Dufendachs, who were dedicating baby Evelyn.

Also, the Gross family.  

Funny -- all of the families represented in that service were resident families!  I think that says something about how the church body receives us with open arms, knowing we will likely depart at some point.  Again -- we are blessed.

We took up a miniscule amount of the stage compared to our friends' big families -- and we weren't nearly as entertaining!

Handsome guys.  

Nolan stared at Pastor Dave a good bit of the time - like he was hanging on every word!

Pastor Dave took each babe in his arms and prayed over the child and his/her parents.  

We planned beforehand to both hold our arms like that.  Okay, no, we didn't.

I have to include this photo of Cayden D.  Between the Gross' and the Dufendachs, there were 6 "big kids" on the platform - and let's be honest, it was a long time for them to stand there.  They were all really great though - no fits, no rolling around on the ground, no noise!  Cayden was desperate to put his hands all over the speaker monitor and investigate the various cables running to and fro.  

The mixture of boredom and restraint shown on his face is priceless! 

Nolan, 

We pray that you would know a saving relationship with Jesus at a young age, and that we as your parents would be given enough wisdom for each day.

We pray that you will "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37)

and that you will "honor God with your body, for you were bought with a price" (1 Cor 6:20).

We pray that you will grow "in wisdom and stature, in favor before God and men", just as Jesus did during His time on earth.  (Luke 2:52)

We pray that you will "act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8)

and that we as your parents will do well in modeling this.

We commit to establishing a home where peace, forgiveness and Christ-centered love reverberate.  We will respect one another and you.  You are safe in this home.

We understand God's love for us better because of you, for we cannot describe or contain our love for you.  How much more God, our perfect Maker and very author of love, must love His children!

We are thankful for you.

- Mom and Dad