Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Dec 7

Dear Beloved,

Grace and peace to you in this first week of the Advent season when we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus anew!  This past Sunday we lit the candle of hope.  In another recent note to you, I was reflecting upon hope.  I am continuing to ponder hope as Pastor Marc shared with us visions from the prophets.  

How do you understand hope?  Where does it come from?  What do you do with it?  Please feel free to share any of your reflections on hope, your favorite verses or stories, or your favorite songs of hope.

For me, hope is first a gift from God!  I am deeply thankful for the gift of hope - hope helps me and guides me through each day - through my little daily tasks and the deep concerns that I have close in my heart that stretch way beyond.  I can imagine that hope might be something that I meditate on with the Spirit through 2026 and maybe also with you.  In addition to a gift from God, the words and feelings that come to me in the present moment are - Hope is praise, petition, art, advocacy, vision, and mission.  As I praise God for the gift of hope, I pray that we may grow in hope and share hope with all this season.  May you know you are a loved child of God. 

With gratitude and hope, 

Sarah

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  (Psalm 25:5)

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Nov 30

Some Thoughts on the Bible…

I claim for the Bible what the Bible claims for itself. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we find this wisdom: All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

The Bible does not claim to be written by God but is inspired by God. That is, people of faith, like you and me, had encounters with God that changed their lives. These experiences were so profound that they told their stories to others to help them grow in faith. Over time these inspirational stories were written, edited, and collected into the Bible as a resource of faith for all people, times, and places.

We study the Bible to learn God’s will and way, to get back on track when we are headed in the wrong direction, and to know and do what is right in God’s eyes. The result of studying the Bible is good work—we become people who are faithful to God, kind and just with others, and humble in our words and actions. In sum, the Bible helps us to be more like Jesus. Let us renew our study of the Bible so that we might know this promised outcome.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Nov 23

Dear Beloved,

How is it with your being (mind-body, heart, and spirit) as we enter the last part of the 2025 calendar year and as we near the end of the church/liturgical calendar? I have always enjoyed having a church/liturgical year as well as a calendar year because in it I find an extra built-in offering for pause and reflection. If the idea of a church/liturgical year is new to you and you’d like to chat more about it, I’d be glad to. The church year ends right before the beginning of Advent which starts the new church/liturgical year. For me Advent is a season of reflection and repentance set aside to help us prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world as a newborn and his coming anew into our lives and world again and again. Here are some questions that I have been reflecting on. Maybe one would be helpful to you. As we come to the end of 2025 in both calendars, what are our hopes and hurts? Are there helpful changes that we can make? What are our dreams and uncertainties? How is God calling to us and reaching out to us? Are there spiritual practices that might support us in journeying with Jesus? What are we experiencing when you are still with ourselves and God? How are the communities around us inviting our talents and gifts to be used for good? Where are we finding rest and renewal? I hope one or more of these questions allows you space for pondering. If Pastor Marc and I can ever be a helpful conversation partner as you live as a loved and loving child of God, please feel free to reach out. If you would like to chat with a small group on the first Sunday of Advent, you are welcome to meet in the Kendall Children and Family Center on the first Sunday of Advent, November 30th for snacks between 9:45 and 10:15 or between 11:45 and 12:15. We appreciate you!

With gratitude and hope,   

 Sarah

Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. (Psalm 111:1-3)

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Nov 16

The sanctuary at Friedens Church is a special place, filled with symbols that open our hearts to the Divine Presence. God is present everywhere, but we tend to be more mindful of that presence in the sanctuary.

So, what is the right attitude and posture for worship in the sanctuary? The most important thing we bring into the sanctuary is our authentic selves. Sincere people of any age, ability, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, background, or any other difference are welcome and enriching to our community. There is no reason to put on airs or pretend we are something we are not. God knows our hearts and loves us completely. None of us are worthy of God’s grace, it is a free gift. So, when you enter the sanctuary be yourself because that is how God knows and loves you. As a result, be humble and grateful for God’s graceful presence. Also be respectful. God is far beyond our human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God is greater and more powerful than we can imagine, closer than the air we breathe, and more loving than we deserve.

As the psalmist sings, the sacrifice acceptable to God is a humble and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).

Bring your authentic self and let us worship.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Nov 9

Dear Beloved,

Last night I was in a meeting where a question came up - “Is hope a strategy?” That question caused me to pause, and I was pondering it during my prayer time this morning and still am. It made me wonder if other things that are essential to my being are strategies? Are compassion, gratitude, grace, and creativity strategies? I should probably stop to look up the definition of strategies, but at the moment I really only want to give thanks to God for these gifts that come from God the Maker of the heavens and the earth, that are embodied by Jesus our Leader, and that radiate from the Spirit. 

I rejoice in these gifts of God and so many more that flow from God, and to me, are parts of God and also ways of living and being in the world. Yes, for me, they are also probably survival strategies. I imagine that I’ll be pondering this for a while because as I reflect I feel overwhelmed (in the good kind of way), by God’s kindness, generosity, wisdom, power, faithfulness, and love. I pray that as the daylight and time spent outside decreases (which is challenging for some of us) we can find encouragement in these gifts of God and so many, many innumerable blessings from God. And if you rejoice that the weather here (if you are here in the midwest) is getting colder and this season excites you, I pray you can also find encouragement in the extravagant ways in which God shows us care. 

May we all take time to be still with God that we may continue to reflect the hope of made known in Jesus our Deliverer and our Shalom. May you always know you are cherished by the Creator of the most distant star and as near as your unique soul.  

With gratitude and hope,

   Sarah 

But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.  Psalm 71:14

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Nov 2

The area in the Friedens’ sanctuary where the worship leaders serve is called the chancel. It is considered a holy place separated from the nave by a modesty rail, and it is also elevated to suggest the Presence of the Most High God. Our focus in worship is on the chancel because it contains three important symbols of our faith.

The first and most important symbol is the cross. It is elevated above everything else in the sanctuary. The cross is the preeminent symbol of Christ, with a special emphasis on the way Jesus demonstrated the depth and breadth of Divine grace through self-giving love. The cross in our sanctuary is empty, that is, it does not show the dying form of Christ. Our tradition emphasizes both the death and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

The next prominent symbol in the chancel is the communion table, also called the Lord’s table or the altar table. It is a reminder of the sacrament of Holy Communion where Christ is the host, welcoming everyone who wishes to know Christ and receive Divine grace with an open and humble heart. The table also receives our offerings, given with glad and generous hearts for the saving love of Jesus our Savior. Worship leaders serve from the altar table as earthen vessels who carry a precious treasure ( 2 Corinthians 4:7). The baptismal font at the base of the chancel steps represents the Sacrament of Baptism, the symbol of new life and inclusion by grace into the community of disciples.

The third important symbol in our chancel is the pulpit. This is the place for proclamation of the gospel, the good news of God’s saving love in the faith of Christ. Our sacred texts inform, instruct, inspire, and prepare us to be ambassadors for Christ in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). In the United Church of Christ pastors are to have a call from God for service to Christ’s church, and they are expected to have seminary training, bringing commitment and education to the pastoral and preaching role.

Christ, Sacrament, and Word are central to worship and beautifully symbolized in our chancel.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Oct 26

Dear Beloved,

How are you as autumn feels more fully underway? What are your favorite autumn celebrations or activities? World Communion Sunday and All Saints’ Day are my favorites. I enjoy how these celebrations remind me of the ways God’s Spirit connects us with people and creatures all around the world and with and through the earth herself and all the ways God’s Spirit connects us with ancestors - the great cloud of witnesses - saints past and present and yet to come. 

This past World Communion Sunday was special to me for two new reasons. First, we had the opportunity to join in community with the congregations that share the building- St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church and the Sudanese Church. Second, the evening before, a long-time friend and Global Ministries staff member who has visited and spoken with Friedens before came for dinner - Elena Huegel. Elena shared ways God’s Spirit is at work through our partners in Mexico. I am grateful that Friedens is a Global Ministries congregation, and we covenant to be in prayer with and for our Global Ministries staff and partners. You can read more about our work with Global Ministries at www.globalministries.org. You can read more about Elena’s work at https://www.globalministries.org/people/elena-huegel/.

Thank you for your prayers for the world God so dearly loves. I appreciate you and give thanks for you. May you always remember that you are a cherished child of God.

With gratitude and hope,

    Sarah 

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Oct. 19

Our worship at Friedens Church is sometimes described as “traditional”. I prefer to think of it as ancient and tried and true. Our order of worship finds its origin several hundred years before the time of Jesus. In the sixth chapter of Isaiah, the prophet recalls a vision while worshiping in the Temple in Jerusalem. Isaiah suggests the greatness and majesty of the Divine by imagining that just the hem of God’s robe fills the Temple. Angelic creatures called seraphs serve God in heaven, ever singing Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of God’s glory. And so, we too begin our worship with humble praise for a majestic and awesome God.

The Divine presence is further revealed in the shaking of the foundation of the Temple and the mingling of light and smoke. The prophet cries out in fear before God, saying: Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a mortal of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips. This confession is met with purification, symbolized by a seraph touching the mouth of the prophet with a live coal and the announcement that your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out. So too our worship includes confession, an assurance of pardon, a song and prayer of thanksgiving, an announcement of the peace that emanates from the gift of forgiveness, and a grateful and generous offering to God and for God’s work in the world.

Isaiah’s vision concludes with a message from God and an invitation to go and live the message. Isaiah responds, saying, Here I am, send me! Our order of worship follows this same pattern. We conclude our time together in the sanctuary by receiving a reading from Scripture and a sermonic reflection on the passage, before a final song of praise and a commissioning and benediction that moves us into the world as Christ’s disciples.

Yes, our way of worship is an ancient as well as tried and true means of encountering the Divine presence. Make it part of your sabbath rest and renewal and invite others to join you.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Oct 12

Dear Beloved,

I write to you with joy in my heart because tomorrow is World Communion Sunday, and I find hope and healing in knowing that people all around the globe share together in remembering Jesus’ love as we break bread together in worship and each and every day for sustenance.  Today my heart and soul also continue to think about and pray about how we respond to the crisis of daily hunger or food insecurity for many.  I am grateful that we are able to work together with others near and far to advocate for food for everyone through Bread for the World.  I’m grateful we can offer peanut butter to Hunger Inc (a local food pantry), weekenders to two local schools, and some shelf stable for those who may need something from the little blue community food box outside of Hayden Hall at the northwest end/side of the building.  Thank you for your generosity and commitment to following the ways of Jesus who feeds and nourishes, welcomes and encourages.      

As I prepare for World Communion Sunday, which will have passed by the time you read this, I think about other upcoming autumn celebrations and special seasons  - All Saints Day and Advent are coming to my mind today.  As the Treasure Seeker team prepares for Advent, we would love to hear about crafts and games you might remember from earlier times in your life or favorite activities related to the season of preparation before we celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas.  The activities that were positive in your formative years would be fun to pass along and share with the kids and teens now.  Thank you for sending any memories or ideas our way.  

Through all the days and seasons may you know that you are a loved child of God.

With gratitude for you and  the opportunity to journey together in the ways of Jesus,

Sarah

 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, October 5

In worship at Friedens Church we join disciples all around the world in reciting the Lord’s Prayer. One thing that is special about the way we practice this ritual is the bell that tolls while we pray.

Friedens was founded by German immigrants from the villages of Wehdem and Westrup. Most of the people in these villages made their living by farming. They also gathered for worship in their village church. Sometimes urgent chores demanded the farmers miss worship. However, in the village church the bells were rung during the Lord’s Prayer. This allowed folks wherever they were and whatever they were doing to stop, and to join the gathered community in the unity of prayer.

When you hear the bells in worship you can remember this lovely tradition and feel united in the faith and love of Christ. If you are not able to be present in worship on a Sunday morning, even if you cannot hear the church bells, you can still stop and pray the Lord’s Prayer and experience oneness in Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Sep 28, 2025

Dear Beloved,

The note I wrote to you for this week is going to be saved for another week because I am super excited to share some wonderful news with you!

We received a grant from the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ to make a sensory garden and outside mindfulness stations. We hope this new addition outside will be a blessing to everyone who would enjoy experiencing space and time to connect with creation, our sensory systems, the Creator, and anyone who may also be spending time there individually or with a group.

If you are interested in helping with the building of the garden or stations or the maintenance of them, please let me know. Huge thank yous to the team who helped write the grant and the community partners who helped inspire the ideas. Thank you to all of you who have been and continue to pray for ways to connect with the community. Thank you for praying for God to continue to guide us and for everyone who comes to feel the unbounded and eternal love of Jesus. 

With gratitude, hope, and joy,

Sarah 

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

(Psalm 34:8)

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, September 21, 2025

Maybe you have wondered why we have so many candles in the sanctuary at Friedens. We have a table of candles as you enter the sanctuary. These are lit to remember someone in your life who needs God’s grace. There are candles on the pillars that support the ceiling. There are candles under the cross and candles on the communion table. And, on Christmas Eve the congregants are all holding lit candles while singing “Silent Night, Holy Night”.

Candles are a symbol of Jesus who is the light of the world. Jesus reveals the graceful love of God. Jesus illumines the path of life worth living—the way of justice, kindness, humility, generosity and goodness. Jesus warms our hearts with his abiding and helpful presence.

 When you see the candlelight in the sanctuary remember Jesus, the light of the world, and then reflect that light in every interaction and relationship of your lives. The light we receive is the light we share.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, August 24, 2025

Have you looked up at the ceiling of the Friedens’  sanctuary lately? Does it look a little like the structure of a wooden ship turned upside down? That is what it is supposed to look like. One of the early symbols of the church was a ship sailing off on the mission of love and good news to new lands and peoples. In fact, the area where the congregation worships is called the “nave”, a Latin root word used for the English word “navy”.

There are clues in our sanctuary that point us to our mission. Like the ship-like ceiling, plus the windows along the east and west walls. Those windows allow us to see our surrounding neighborhood and God’s creation. They remind us that the gospel is for the world. We receive the good news each Sunday in worship and have the responsibility to take it with us in word and deed into the world God loves.

Let’s pay attention to the signs and clues God gives us to know and embrace our purpose.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Aug 17, 2025

Dear Beloved,

When you hear the word breath, or you take a breath in a conscious way, what comes to your mind, heart, soul, body? The last few weeks I shared a breath prayer with you.

 Another way that I pray is through simple songs. At the mini retreat on the theme of hope, I was blessed by Heather and David who led us in singing “Give Thanks” (page 528 in the hymnal) or here’s a version - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N96xxwudfg 

or

“Give thanks with a grateful, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ our Son.”

Those words have been staying with me and carrying me in this new school year. Thank you, David and Heather. - Thank you, God, for giving us songs, music, composers, musicians, birds, and a reason to sing. Thank you for helping us lift our hearts, bodies, mind, and spirits to you as we pray through music. We are grateful for you, God. Amen. 

And I’m grateful for you, my friends and beloved community of Jesus followers called Friedens (peace). May you find peace this week in a song or prayer that carries you and reminds you that the Creator of the heavens and earth cares for you and everyone more than any of us can ever imagine.  

Blessings of hope and shalom~ 

With gratitude,

Sarah 

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, August 10, 2025

What might Jesus think about homelessness and poverty?

The truth is Jesus did not have his own home, he relied on the hospitality of others. In Matthew 8:20, Jesus confirms this reality: “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head”. Jesus knew what it was like to be poor. The Roman occupiers of his land were draining the resources, leaving the people of Israel to do without.

Jesus filled the gap in his time by feeding his people and teaching about the way trust in God empowers a spirit of generosity to meet the needs. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed the people “to consider the lilies of the field that the Creator dresses more beautifully than King Solomon, and to look at the birds of the air who neither reap, sow, nor gather into barns and yet the Creator feeds them”. Jesus brings the teaching to a close by reminding disciples to get their priorities straight: “strive first for the kingdom of God and all the things you need will be given to you”.

Greed entices us to take everything we want. Like a bottomless pit, our wants are never satisfied and many suffer in the process of trying to fill them. But God created a world where all the needs can be filled when we trust the Provider and share what we receive. This wisdom was powerfully demonstrated when a child shared his lunch with Jesus. Jesus gratefully and prayerfully received the gift and shared it with others. Thousands ate their fill, and twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered to feed even more. (John 6:1-13)

There is no doubt, Jesus would have us as his disciples to get our priorities straight, to trust God, and to be generous so that everyone has a place to call home and there is room for all at the table of blessing. Jesus viewed basic necessities as God’s gifts gratefully received, that then empower us to roll up our sleeves and get to work in order to share with others Divine abundance.

Let’s get in the flow of trust and generosity.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, Aug 3, 2025

Dear Beloved,

You are in my thoughts and prayers as we begin a new month - one with big changes for those of us who have returned to school. Thank you for your prayers for us. I know many are going through other changes related to health, home life, work, relationships…I am grateful we are not alone. I’m grateful God is ever-present. Do you have any spiritual practices, verses, or prayers that help you find your grounding in times of change? 

 When I am feeling overwhelmed by changes, I try to remember that God’s love is eternal - sometimes I call or text a prayer partner - sometimes I look outside - sometimes I try to stretch - sometimes I try to say the Lord’s Prayer or a breath prayer. Pastor Marc and I are always glad to offer suggestions or support you in trying a practice if that would be helpful to you. 

 Here is a breath prayer from Psalm 46:1 that you could try this week if you’d like.

                         Inhale - “God is”

                         Exhale - “Our refuge and strength.”

                         Inhale - “God is”

                         Exhale - “Our refuge and strength."

You are in my prayers as I write this. May you feel the forever compassionate care of God holding you.  

 With hope and gratitude,

    Sarah 

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, July 13, 2025

What might Jesus think about Christian nationalism? 

Let’s begin by acknowledging that Jesus was Jewish. He was devoted to his tradition. Jesus was committed to a life of prayer. He taught in synagogues. Jesus worshiped in the Temple. Jesus was knowledgeable about and debated with other religious teachers the various interpretations of the Hebrew Bible (what we call the Old Testament). Even Rome understood his religious identity, placing a sign on the cross that read: “The King of the Jews”.

A careful reading of the gospels makes it clear that Jesus did not intend to start a new religion. The break from Judaism came after Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection.

Jesus did want his way of Divine grace and peace to spread regardless of borders and boundaries. At the end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus is recorded commissioning his followers “to make disciples of all nations/peoples” (the Greek word can be translated either way). This effort did not start at the top and work its way down. The followers of Jesus were common people who connected with other common people. The Way of Jesus, as it is described in the Acts of the Apostles, was a grassroots movement.

Over time, a Roman general named Constantine became a convert to the Way of Jesus. When he ascended to Caesar, he brought his faith with him. Eventually, Christianity became the state religion of the empire. The trouble with this new power and authority given to the church was the way it corrupted the humble and servant attitude of Jesus’ followers. Sadly, state sponsored Christianity was prone to excess and violence, as well as systematic persecution and discrimination of others who believed differently. History is replete with similar corruption when governments give preference and official standing to a particular religion. Thank goodness, our founders knew this history and insisted on a wall of separation between church and state.

As a disciple of Jesus, I do not need or want governmental preference or standing. Christ is the sole head of the church.

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, July 6, 2025

Dear Beloved,

Thank you for the prayers you offer to God. Thank you for the ways you lift each other, people near and far, and the world up to God. Thank you for the ways you praise God. Thank you for the ways you listen to God. Thank you for the ways you thank God. Thank you for the ways you confess to God. Thank you for the prayers you have said for years and for the ones that aren’t spoken aloud at all. Thank you for praying with me at meetings and on the phone and in worship together. I love praying and deeply appreciate that we can support each other through prayer.

On Sunday mornings when I offer the start of the prayer that we end together in the Lord’s Prayer, I have never found a way to give credit to all who help me find words to pray - ancestors, teachers, preachers, children, animals, plants, authors, devotional writers, friends, people unknown to me, my family, musicians, artists, advocates, Jesus our dearest friend and Leader, storytellers, and scribes…. It is a gift to pray with you. Thank you for the opportunity to pray with you. I am forever grateful. May you know the joy, peace, hope, and love of Christ’s living Spirit in this season and always.

With gratitude,

Sarah

I thank my God every time I remember you. (Philippians 1:3)

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, June 29, 2025

What might Jesus think about diversity? 

Jesus was not limited by boundaries and borders. He called two people to be his disciples who were diametrically opposed politically, a tax collector and a revolutionary. Jesus touched lepers. Jesus allowed sinful people to touch him. He crossed borders to heal a woman’s daughter in Syro-Phoenicia and to bring wholeness to a troubled soul in the country of the Gerasenes. He was criticized for his compassion with people like Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus, a person caught in adultery, and a Centurion. Jesus was crucified for political dissent. Jesus made room in his ministry for diverse people. Jesus did not discriminate because of difference.

Jesus worked for unity in diversity, not by requiring uniformity of culture, belief, practice, or even religion. Jesus worked for unity in diversity by exemplifying respect, and teaching forgiveness, fairness, and understanding rooted in allegiance to the love of God, neighbor, and self.

Jesus would not have us fear diversity or fight against it. Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Yours in Christ,

Marc

Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, June 22, 2025

Dear Beloved,

What are your favorite parts of the summer? Summer is my favorite season, so there are many things that I appreciate and enjoy. As far back as I can remember, VBS has been a favorite part of my summer – I was a VBS participant as a child, and then a teen helper and then an adult helper. The summer of shelter-in-place was so strange - I missed Vacation Bible School. After going without, I have an even deeper appreciation for Vacation Bible School, and it has become my favorite week.  

During the school year, Medicaid says that I have fifteen minutes with a child and then must move on. During VBS, I have the opportunity to sing and praise God with David’s wonderful music ministry and leadership. It is a joy that I cannot put into words. I see the children enjoying the delicious and nutritious snacks that you donate - thank you! We enjoy stories from the Bible and chat and pray together. I hear the kids building relationships with each other and their teen helpers and adult leaders. I give thanks as they love game time with Jennifer and learn cooking with Leonardo, make crafts with Becky, participate in a service project with Jessica, learn gardening with Roberta and Brandon, and enjoy Kristen and Dave’s fabulous decorations. I’m grateful for the ways Linda, Judy, and Sue show up and support kids, teens, and all of us however we need. Each of the adults does a beautiful job of playing with the kids and listening to them. We had a great big bunch of middle school and high school helpers. The kids look up to them and adore them. I’m grateful that kids, teens, and adults all invited friends to come along with them and they did. Praises be to God!

 Thank you for your prayers for Vacation Bible School! Thank you for your prayers for kids near and far each day. Thank you for loving and caring for the kids you know and for reflecting Jesus’ kindness to them. It is a blessing to serve our children, teens, and families with you. Thank you for this very, very special opportunity.

With appreciation, joy, love, and hope,

Sarah