The Synod of the Trinity
The Lord’s Day
Many years ago, our little church in the mountains of North Carolina, First Presbyterian Church of Burnsville, was responsible for launching Reconciliation House, an ecumenical service organization. It is dedicated to aiding the poor in our county by furnishing food, used clothing, and funds to those in need.
Three years ago, a member of our church family, Glenn Davis, had an idea. Working with our children, he opened the Kids’ Store, which he stocked with canned items, pasta, rice, and beans. After church each Sunday, the kids followed Glenn into the Fellowship Hall where they opened their store to sell items to be sent to the food pantry of Reconciliation House.
Two years ago, Glenn died suddenly. He left a big hole in our hearts and our church.
At his funeral, nine-year-old Noah walked to the front of the sanctuary and thanked God for Glenn. Then he stood up straight and announced that he would take on the responsibility of continuing the Kids’ Store.
And he has. Noah’s father, Gary, helps him buy food to stock the shelves and his mother, Suzanne, keeps tab of the money for stocking the Kids’ Store in the future. When there are extra funds, the kids decide what need in the community they will help with and a check is sent.
The kids, headed by Noah, who’s now eleven, have established a Kids’ Store Committee. Children as young as four help mind the store and stack the food that’s purchased after church for its delivery to the Reconciliation House on Monday.
The Kids’ Store is truly a kids’ mission — and a blessing to us all. Thanks be to God!
—Rev. Maggie Lauterer, pastor,
First Presbyterian Church, Burnsville, North Carolina
O Lord, our loving God, we thank you for people like Glenn whose spark of creativity in serving you moves out and sparks the mission in our children’s hearts. Open our hearts to be led by the children who are ready to serve you and feed your children in need. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Gen. 1:1–5
God, You Spin the Whirling Planets
PH 285
Ps. 29
Sing Praise to God, Who Reigns Above
PH 483, HB 15
Acts 19:1–7
Baptized in Water
PH 492
Mark 1:4–11
I Love To Tell The Story
HB 383
Daily Lectionary
Ps. 104, 150 Ps. 29
Isa. 40:1–11; Heb. 1:1–12
John 1:1–7, 19–20, 29–34 |
