See
what love the Father has given us that we should be called children
of God; and that is what we are.
I
John 3:1
Baptizing Ricky
On a recent Sunday at FPCB, we
held a worship service in the style of our Sunday afternoon
bi-monthly Rejoicing Spirits services. This service was especially
meaningful because we were celebrating the baptism of an adult who is
active in our congregation and in our Rejoicing Spirits Community.
Richard Perkins Lee, Jr. (Ricky) was born with Down syndrome nearly
50 years ago in South Georgia. His parents divorced in 1970, and his
mother placed him in a state institution where he lived from the age
of 7 to 25 followed by several group homes and a nursing home for ten
years. Fast forward to 2014 when Ricky’s half-sister, Amy Montri
found the brother she had never met and for whom she’d been
searching since the 1990s. Just weeks later she took her husband,
Michael back to meet Ricky, and a few months later they brought Ricky
to Michigan where he has become a vibrant part of the Montri
household and our FPCB congregation and Rejoicing Spirits Community.
There are many gaps in what is
known about Ricky’s upbringing, but we do know that he likes music
and knows many church songs. The first time Ricky attended our
Rejoicing Spirits service he sang “Jesus Loves Me” into the
microphone during the prayer time. We did not know at the time that
it his signature song. He sings it every night at bedtime.
Pastor Amy: Ricky, do you love
Jesus and want to follow Jesus?
Ricky: Love Jesus Yes!
Pastor Amy: Will you be a part
of this church?
Ricky: (Signing) Church, yes!
Pastor Amy: (Interpreting)
Ricky loves church!
Ricky leaned with eager
anticipation over the font waiting for the baptismal waters to flow
over him. He was clearly excited for this moment and wanted to share
the joy of it with his nephew Carter. When he was presented with a
cross as a reminder that Jesus loves him as we do too he took the
cross off and placed it around Carter’s neck. Ricky knows Jesus’
love for him and shares it with all of us by his very presence among
us. Thanks be to God!
Loving
God, thank you for the gift of Ricky and his love for you. May the
eyes of our hearts be opened as we witness resurrection moments of
your love at work in the world and in us. We pray in the name of the
One who loves us so much that we all are called Children of God.
Amen.
Cindy Merten
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