"AND THE CHILDREN SHALL LEAD THEM..."

As we joyously celebrated Christmas in our newly renovated sanctuary and holy space, I was particularly mindful of the leadership of our children and the difference that they make. On our reentry into the church on December 17, the children surrounded the Advent Wreath and lit the Advent Candle. At our 4 pm Christmas Eve service, which always features the children's pageant, our children and youth led us in worship. They told the unfolding Christmas Story with beauty and grace. The entrance of the young angels has to be one of my favorite moments of our worship year! You may even have noticed that one of our first-year college students—David Hall—helped with the pageant. Many thanks to Anna Thomas and her ministry team for organizing the pageant. At the 4 pm service, our newly formed Children's Choristers sang at the time of the Offertory. What a special joy to hear their young voices in our church. We're so pleased with the growth of this ministry under the leadership of Emily Carter and Tim Brumfield. 

I am reminded that our children and youth are not the future of the church, they are the church. And they are leading us. Thanks be to God!

In Christ,

Andrew+