According to the tradition, High School Seniors at the end of May conduct worship at First Presbyterian, Richardson. While the number of Seniors participating this year is relatively small, the Spirit of celebration, thanks and praise was among all the congregation, as promised, where two or more gather in My name, I will be there among you.
In the beginning, Grant was raised up from the very start within the walls of FPC. And though it is a tenant of faith among Presbyterians that God knows and loves us before we even are aware of Him, Grant's identity before the Creator was momentarily a bit confused. As it happened, when Grant Benjamin was presented for baptism, the minister asked, "And what is the name of this child?" He apparently mistook the response given by his parents as "Grand Junction" - thinking the infant's moniker was an homage to our recent relocation from Colorado. Once that little misunderstanding of his name was cleared up between God, Jesus, the minister and everybody else (but mostly the minister), Grant's 18 years of nurture among people of the faith was off to a good start. Having been cared for from birth in the nursery, toddling in the halls while his Mother worked to make the Christian Education programs happen, enjoying story time and snacks on "story time carpet" in Mr. Jim & Mr. Bill, moving on to Junior High retreats, kicking off summers with Youth Group "Mess-Fest" on the church lawn and ended up in "God's Garage" - the 2nd floor Sunday School room for high schoolers and practise space for Impact, the youth worship band, where Grant plays bass guitar.
Grant and Impact opened worship with a song of praise, Grant led the congregation in the call to confession but deferred on the opportunity to preach a sermon, leaving that in the capable hands of Susie Fox. It has been good to have a life-long commitment of several generations who have known and cared for Grant for literally his entire life. And it is fitting and gratifying to see him go from baptism to leading the congregation in worship, as he prepares to take the next step in his Faith Journey.
This is the Good News! To know God and enjoy Him forever. May His countenance shine upon you and may His hand be always upon you and His peace always be within you.
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| Senior Sunday IMPACT Opening Hymn |
In the beginning, Grant was raised up from the very start within the walls of FPC. And though it is a tenant of faith among Presbyterians that God knows and loves us before we even are aware of Him, Grant's identity before the Creator was momentarily a bit confused. As it happened, when Grant Benjamin was presented for baptism, the minister asked, "And what is the name of this child?" He apparently mistook the response given by his parents as "Grand Junction" - thinking the infant's moniker was an homage to our recent relocation from Colorado. Once that little misunderstanding of his name was cleared up between God, Jesus, the minister and everybody else (but mostly the minister), Grant's 18 years of nurture among people of the faith was off to a good start. Having been cared for from birth in the nursery, toddling in the halls while his Mother worked to make the Christian Education programs happen, enjoying story time and snacks on "story time carpet" in Mr. Jim & Mr. Bill, moving on to Junior High retreats, kicking off summers with Youth Group "Mess-Fest" on the church lawn and ended up in "God's Garage" - the 2nd floor Sunday School room for high schoolers and practise space for Impact, the youth worship band, where Grant plays bass guitar.
Grant and Impact opened worship with a song of praise, Grant led the congregation in the call to confession but deferred on the opportunity to preach a sermon, leaving that in the capable hands of Susie Fox. It has been good to have a life-long commitment of several generations who have known and cared for Grant for literally his entire life. And it is fitting and gratifying to see him go from baptism to leading the congregation in worship, as he prepares to take the next step in his Faith Journey.
This is the Good News! To know God and enjoy Him forever. May His countenance shine upon you and may His hand be always upon you and His peace always be within you.
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| Call of Confession Grant in Pulpit Senior Sunday, First Presbyterian |
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| IMPACT Plays the Anthem Grant on Bass Guitar (Red Shirt) |
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