This Sunday we will celebrate our graduating seniors at the 11:00 service in the sanctuary. Many of these young adults were baptized and raised at Vineville. You will remember that when we gather at the baptismal font the parents, the family and the church make promises. The parents promise to raise them to profess their own faith. The family commits to supporting them in their Christian life. The entire church promises to be part of their life. Every time we baptize a child, it is a significant moment in the life of the church. We promise to be examples of Christ to them. We vow to be a community of love and forgiveness. We commit to helping them grow in faith.
This Sunday we celebrate another milestone on that journey. May 7th is High School Senior Sunday. We will honor the class of 2023. We gather as a community of faith to celebrate their accomplishments and pray for their future. We will seek God’s word for them and us on this occasion. As part of the celebration, the 2023 recipients of the Vineville Scholarships will be announced. It is great that Vineville can make these awards. As we present the scholarships, we are reminded of those who thought ahead. They looked into the future and saw the opportunity to make a lasting difference by being generous. They invested in these young adults in some cases before their parents were even born! Many of these gifts are the result of bequests. Those who went before made a final tithe to the church. They designated an amount, or a percentage, of their estate be given to the church. What a great legacy! The fact is that once we die we have no further need of these resources. Having a 10% gift in our will is a great way to witness to our faith and commitment even after we are gone.
Join us Sunday at 11:00 as celebrate and pray for our high school seniors. Take the necessary steps to include Vineville in your will or to be the beneficiary of an insurance policy. See you Sunday as we celebrate the class of 2023.
Peace,
