Children's Choir

Yesterday our Sunday School children sang in our Divine Service. They have been learning the hymn The Gifts Christ Freely Gives (LSB #602). It's a great hymn for kids to learn and to teach them our theology. They have the first three verses learned so far, so yesterday, as we sang it for the office hymn, they sang verse 2 alone. They did great! And no, we did not line them up in the front of the church for show - they sang from the back. Hopefully we can continue to teach them hymns to keep singing in church. And learning them as children, they learn to love and cherish them, and they stay a part of them. So good job kids!

The Commodification of Children

I heard it again on the radio the other day - that it costs so much to raise children these days that therefore many people are not having children. I've heard that before, lots of times, but this time it struck me: that's how we talk about TVs, and cars, and computers, and things like that. They cost too much so I'm not getting one. And so (in a way) children have become just another thing to "have." That saddens me. How far we have fallen from the Biblical thought of children being a gift from God when we simply think about whether we can afford them or not. Financial considerations are important, but it seems they have become the tail that wags the dog. I wonder if this is the result of abortion or a contributor to it. The thing is, most folks always find the money for the stuff they want and the vacations they want, but children . . . hmmm.

When It's Hard To Be a Dad

So my teenage daughter wants to go to a concert. OK. Haven't had to face this one before. What is the concert? OK, that doesn't mean too much to me. Where is the concert? New Jersey (we live near DC). That's a four hour drive. It's an all day concert, with lots of bands there. Hmmm. Her friend's Dad is going to drive them. Hmmm. Please? Please?

My heart is telling me to let her go, for she really wants to go and I want her to be happy. But my father's gut is telling me no - it's too far away, I don't know her friend or her friend's father, and while I trust my daughter, I do not trust whoever else may be at that concert. So I tell her no (of course, my wife was in on the decision too, not just me). She is disappointed, but I am sad too. I don't like saying no, but I love her too much to say yes. Seems to me this falls into the category (of the olden days!) when you father would get ready to spank you and say, "This is going to hurt me more than it's going to hurt you." You never really believe that until your on the other end, then you realize how hard it is to discipline, to say no, to be a father.

To her credit, my daughter is taking it well. No tantrums, no yelling. I am proud of her for that. How often am I that mature when my heavenly Father says no to something I want? I hope someday she'll realize that saying no is a way of saying I love you, whether that's from me, from her heavenly Father, or from her to her boyfriend who wants to go too far. Of course, I'm still learning that, too. It's a hard lesson to learn.

Welcome Lucy!

Welcome to the family of God, Lucy Hensley!

P.S. Like the banner in the background? It is a copy of the images embossed on the back cover of the Lutheran Service Book. We have one on the other side of the chancel too, with the images from the front cover of the hymnal. One of our ladies did this. Isn't it great!

Children in the Divine Service

One of the things I love is to hear our congregation's children in the liturgy. They don't always say it exactly right, or at exactly the right times, but to hear them learning and taking part is, well, awe-inspiring. This is truly the faith being passed down to the next generation.

And so I love it when I hear them say "Lord, have mercy" after everyone else has said it! I love hearing a loud "Amen!" I love hearing them say the Lord's Prayer, AND having the rest of the congregation slow down for them! I love hearing the "Alleluias" and to hear them singing the Words of Institution with me. Those words were some of the first of the liturgy that my children learned. And what a great memory! All parents remember their children's first words - mama, or papa, or whatever. What were your children's first liturgical words? Could there be any better ones than "This is my body?" I also love it when they respond to questions in the sermon.

So parents, don't worry when your child speaks out in church! Of course, if they're being disruptive, that must be dealt with, that they learn how we act in God's house, the same as they learn how to act at home, in school, and in all sorts of places. But if they're just trying to take part, let them speak! Loudly! Is it in not quite the right place? That's alright; they'll learn soon enough. Enjoy them and their faith speaking to their Father who gave it.