I wanted to share with you this note from our Children's Ministry Director Shari. She does such a great job inspiring and also encouraging her team! Every time I read one of her emails it makes me think...so, I want you to think with me! And also pray for our children/families in the Nursery and Children's Ministry area.

I have a question for you to ponder.

What would the world lose if our particular children’s ministry ceased to exist?

Back at the beginning of September, my honest answer would have been something like “Well, the Sunday morning service would lose a bit of peace & quiet because the kids would all be out there.”

It is such a sobering question.

My answer has changed a little in two months. Now I could say that our kids would lose an opportunity to know the relevance of God and the Bible in their lives. Our kids would also lose an opportunity to worship God in a format that they can relate to. Our kids would miss an opportunity to know that the Holy Spirit speaks to them personally. But beyond us, what would the world lose if we ceased to exist?

I would like you to think about that question and consider how you would like to be able to answer it. For me, I’d like to be able to say that our community would miss an incredible move of God because our openness to His leading has brought them new life, joy beyond belief, and a hunger for more of Him. It’s not that we matter and that South Metro Vineyard be lifted up. It’s that we are here for Him. What are we doing for Him and in Him that is impacting our world? What would the world lose if our particular children’s ministry ceased to exist?

Speaking of being on the right track, have you noticed that worship in children’s church just keeps getting better and better. Paula and I were both in awe of God after first service this past Sunday. The kids had their eyes closed. Some had their hands over their hearts. Others were lifting their hands to God. Even our third and fourth graders are letting go of their “I’m too cool” attitude. Our preschoolers are looking around at the others and then following their lead. They are learning to worship Jesus.

During both services, most of the pictures that children received during worship related to the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice. God spoke to Matrim words that were a reaffirmation of this week’s lesson. He said that God told him to do more than his parents ask of him and to be more thoughtful than his brothers expect. Who but God could convince someone to give above and beyond earthly expectations? He is so good.

Shari's right! God is good...all the time!