Children's Day 2009

We welcomed the children to the pulpit yesterday morning and they shared the message with us. I am so proud of our congregation. They came out to support the kids again this year. It means so much to them to see all the adults in the congregation as they shared their stories and acted in their skits.

Jesus said, "Let the children come unto me." He went on to point out that it is this kind of faith and trust, the kind we see in children, that will lead us to eternal life. We saw that innocent and childlike faith in action yesterday. The kids sang "We Are the Church" with gusto to start the program.

Then Rosie Main's nursery class acted out the parable of "The Lost Sheep." It was great. The kids got into it. They really had fun wandering around as the shepherd (played by Sarah Henry) tried to keep them safe. Then she reached out to the lost sheep and brought him back into the fold.

The K - 2nd grade class came on next and they recited the Lord's Prayer together. (A little later in the service they were very vocal as the whole congregation said the Lord's prayer in our prayer time. They showed that they learned well!)

The 3rd - 5th grade class then shared a recitation of the 23rd Psalm in a dramatic form. Jacob Kreger, Troy Anderson, Nicole West and Chelsey Maynard each took turns reciting the well known verse.

Our Junior/Senior High class finished things up with a dramatic reading called, "Were You There" that reminded us to think about our apathy and failure to act in the same way we look at those who failed to act in Jesus day. Then it pointed out that in Christ we have been forgiven and sent forth to share the good news.

Our Praise team gave Adele the day off and accompanied the congregation in singing the hymns. Cynthia Strouse and Lori Lord, our Sunday School pianist, provided the prelude, postlude and offertory music.


Sunday School Superintendent Pam Kane gave out excellent attendance awards to Maddy and Conner Fishkin, Jennifer, Jared and Joshua LaFlamme, Noah Lucien, Chelsea Weimer, Andrew and Jacob Kreger, Rachel Lord, Nicholas Costa, Sarah and Hannah Henry, Chelsey Calkins, Rosie Main, Sandra Lucien, Doris Calkins, Janet LaFlamme, Laura Kreger, Wendy HenryOliver Bray and Curt Brockway. The award was given to those teachers and students who had missed three Sundays or less during the year.

Pam then presented Bibles to the students who were being promoted from the second grade class to the next level. They went to Madalyn Fishkin, Noah Lucien and Nicholas Costa. Bibles were also presented to the eighth grade graduates Bethany Stone, Chelsey Calkins and Heather Adams.

We closed the service and then moved the festivities to Fort Shantock for an all church picnic. Over fifty people came out for hot dogs, salads and fun and games. Mark Kane fired up the grill and cooked the hot dogs for the group. While they were waiting, many of the children enjoyed playing on the swings, the jungle gym and the slide. I captured a few pictures and have posted them below. The kids had a good time. After lunch they took turns hitting the pinata and then went over to the field to play several games. I think everyone had a good time.

It's make me think that we should pan a couple of picnics every summer. It is a lot of fun and th kids really enjoy playing with each other.

Cal