Children’s Church

May 30, 2025 | Weekly Word

I cannot remember a time in my life when church was not part of my life.

Some of my earliest memories are of Vine Street Christian Church in Nashville, Tennessee – the church where my parents met while singing in the choir, the church where my grandparents served in leadership, the church where I first tasted communion (when my dad snuck it to me), and the church where I first fell in love with music.

As a child in church, I never knew a time when I was not surrounded by a loving community that was larger than my own family.

Now, I consider myself very fortunate to have had this experience in multiple churches throughout my life and I know that not everyone has had this kind of experience.

But it is my hope that when children attend Bedford Presbyterian Church, they can experience some of this—a place where grownups who are not their parents know their names, a place where they can be themselves and share their gifts, a place where they come to love God and know that that God loves them.

Life in these United States is a bit different in 2025 than it was over 45 years ago when some of my first memories of church were formed and when I first came to love church. There are different demands upon children and families. I know that I could bemoan these changes and wish for a simpler time, but instead, I have come to give thanks for the moments in which children are simply present and willing to take part.

This coming Sunday, we welcome some of the children of our church as they lead us in worship. One of the purposes of this week’s service is to learn about why we do what we do in worship and to let the children of our church teach us why we do what we do. I am looking forward to hearing their voices.

It was after a Youth Sunday, when I was in High School, that my pastor first planted a seed by suggesting that maybe God was calling me into the ministry. I wonder what seeds are being planted for the children of BPC – seeds that you and I are charged with helping to grow into a faith that bears some kind of fruit for God.

There are those who say that children are the church’s “future,” but I am convinced that our children are part of the church’s present as they are part of its future. It is only in the present where the gifts of our children can be nurtured – through being welcomed, and engaged in learning, and loving hospitality. As the church, may we be present for our children whenever and wherever they are present.

This is the children’s church – as much as it is any of ours. . .

May Bedford Presbyterian Church be a place where children and their parents are continually welcomed and encouraged to grow. . .

See you in church!

Grace and Peace,

John

Prepare for Worship

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