Happy Saturday church family!

It has been a whirlwind of two weeks for me and for some of you as well I’m sure! VBS was a great success – many kids from the Free Church, our extended family, and the community as well. And it was great to see some of those same kids out at Deeper Life this week! It was an absolute joy to watch and spend time with these 5th & 6th graders – on the verge of the next stage in life from kids to young teens and figuring out who they are. There is little that is better than watching a child worship, or hearing honest prayers from 10-year olds, hearing the questions – some innocent, some deep – all with an open heart, but also seeing the raw pain as kids deal with real hurts and stresses and brokenness. Please continue to pray for these kids (and pray for the 3rd & 4th grades arriving Sunday afternoon) that the lessons learned and progress made at camp would stick with them as they head home and that the hardships of life don’t come at them too quickly as they re-enter normal life.

There are a lot of things we can learn as adults from kids this age. The honesty in feelings and questions and pain – why do we hide so much? I know it can be difficult to trust in people – because people are people at times. I love how quickly we are in the Free Church to serve and support one another. And I pray that our church family is one where we are honest when we have questions and transparent when we have needs – a family where we look to support each other in all circumstances. I’m looking forward to sharing with you on Sunday a little bit of my week at camp!

-- In faith, Pastor Eric

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:13-16 ESV