Which matters more?

During our worship service this morning, two services were taking place. As most of the 104 of us at church this morning remained in the sanctuary for the scripture readings, sermon and prayers, nine of our young children slipped out with teachers and helpers for children's church as they do each week. The kids listened as Meredith Maxwell led them through a child-friendly version of the Stations of the Cross service, telling the story of Jesus passion at their level.

Inside, we heard the readings about Ezekiel and the dry bones getting new life, the reading from Romans on new life, Psalm 130, and then the Gospel story of Jesus' raising Lazarus from the dead. The sermon from today's worship service is here online.

In each service, I pray that we encountered the Gospel in some meaningful way. At the peace, we joined back together to complete our communion in one service once again. But of those two services, did one matter more than the other? I have certainly been in churches where the concept was that you kept the kids busy, but anything you did for them was a side issue compared to the main event. I don't think that's where we are at King of Peace. It certainly is not what Jesus seems to have had in mind. Mark's Gospel says,

He took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but him who sent me." (Mark 9:36-37)

And on another occasion

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignent and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

The Kingdom of God is not complete without people of all ages. We would be no more complete as a congregation without young children than we would be without older members. We need all ages to represent in our small way God's kingdom. That's why ministry to children and ministry by children is a value of King of Peace. I feel that both of the services that took place today were essential and made for a greater whole unit than if we had been absent either one.

In other, not unrelated news, our preschool reached its current full enrollment this past week and we have begun a waiting list. We do have the physical space to add more equipment and some new staff and expand by another eight children, but our current enrollment of 51 children is something to celebrate. I am thankful for our awesome staff who work so hard to make The Preschool a safe, loving environment in which preschool-aged children can learn.

peace, Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor
King of Peace Episcopal Church