Last Saturday, Alisha went out for a movie (Prince Caspian) with her best friends Vanessa and Agnes. They were accompanied by Lauretta (spelling?) one of their teachers from Children's Church. After the movies they went to church for rehearsals as they were taking part in the family service on Sunday. After their rehearsals, Vanessa and Agnes came for a sleep over.
We had a simple meal of spaghetti bolognese and salad for dinner. I went to bed at 10, woke up at 12, went back to bed and woke up at 2 and then finally had a good 4 hours sleep til 6am. I woke up refreshed and drove all the girls to church for the Family Service rehearsal before returning home for the rest.
Our church has family service once every 2 months. This is when ALL the children join us in the main service and the format of the service is tailored to cater to all age groups. Usually families (dad, mum & kids) in the church will take turns to lead the service. This last service was led by the Children's Church leaders and children. We had special items from the children and the teachers.
Instead of a sermon, the teaching time was a skit styled after "Are you smarter than a P6er?" presented by the P6 children and teachers. It was a hilarious time, but it creatively reminded us that the proper response to God and His Word is not pride or apathy but humility, repentance and child-like faith.
Alisha was involved in the skit and Janice was doing back-up singing for both services. They enjoyed themselves. The family service is a visual (and aural) reminder that God's family is diverse in its make up. We need to embrace the diversity, welcome, come alongside, bear and forbear, encourage one another. The service also helps me appreciate the creativity and passion of the teachers and children who dare think outside the box. It also helps us get out of our comfort zone and humbles us to know there are many ways to do things, my way is not the only way nor the best.
Luke 18:15-17 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
