Out of the Mouths of Babes

Post date: Feb 12, 2021 3:44:29 PM

Dear Middletown Reformed Church Family and Friends,

Blessings of Epiphany light and joy to you!

As some of you know, Monday Night Zoom Kids is often the highlight of my week. Being with our children as they learn Bible lessons, having community with our teachers and parents, and the holy chaos that is singing together is one of the best ways I could end my day. Simply put, it gives me joy and this past Monday was no different; in fact, it was extra special.

Ms. Bev was teaching the children about the importance of prayer and for this lesson she told them the story of Hannah, who prayed faithfully for many years to have a child. Indeed, she eventually did have a son and named him Samuel. Samuel was dedicated to God and once he was weaned, was placed under the tutelage of Eli the priest. One day Samuel heard a voice calling his name in the night. After this happened three times, Eli discerned that Samuel was being called by God. And so he was. Ms. Bev then asked the children if they had ever heard God calling them. After a bit of silence, I raised my hand and related a story from my own life.

And then, the extra special happened. One of our children said, “Sometimes you can't hear God’s voice, but you can hear him in your heart.” His cousin chimed in, “Or you can hear him in your mind.” I felt my eyes swell with tears, and I was left speechless. 

Their answers were so pure and unfiltered. No hesitation as if they would answer incorrectly, or a lifetime of constraints concerning what is appropriate God-talk. As I continued to blink back tears, I thought, they get it. These little ones get that God is with them. And not only that, but the kids have learned to recognize God’s “voice,” whether it is audible, a certain feeling, or a thought they have. Put simply, the kids have learned to listen for God.

Let us listen for God as we gather online at 10:15 AM to chat with one another, and then worship at 10:30 AM via Zoom. The meteorologists are predicting a snow and ice storm Saturday night into Sunday, so for the safety of our staff and volunteers, Ms. Judy and I are going to pre-record the worship and then we will watch it together on Zoom. We will have the Prayers of the People on Zoom after the recording. Izaak Thorpe is our featured soloist and he will be singing “Jesus on the Mountain Peak” and “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery.” Judith Daugherty will play “Holy Ground” on piano for the Sermon Prayer Reflection. I will be preaching from 2 Corinthians 3.12-13, 17-4.2  and Mark 9.2-9 — the Transfiguration of Jesus —  and my sermon title is God-Sighting. 

Oh, out of the mouths of babes, what they can teach us, and what joy they give us (Matthew 21.16)!

 In gratitude for the privilege of being your pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish