Happy Almost Friday church family!

We have a lot going on this week and I wanted to send out our weekender a little early. If you haven’t been part of the VBS decorating team, you may be surprised when you come into Sunday service. We are transforming the Free Church into Rainforest Falls, our VBS theme for the year. We will be finishing the transformation after service Sunday, so feel free to stay and help! Look below in the announcements for more details on still-needed supplies. And most importantly, please pray for our vacation bible school and that many kids would participate and meet with Jesus there.

VBS is a very special part of the church year for me, and I have to believe it’s a favorite time for Jesus as well. I love portrayals of Jesus with children – laughing and playing with them, holding them on his lap. I think we tend to view Jesus as a very somber sort of man, either looking disapprovingly down his nose at people around him or looking holier-than-thou up at the heavens – due mostly to soooo many paintings and pictures that look just like that. But Jesus was likeable. People flocked to him. Children wanted to be around him. And He has designed the Kingdom of God itself for those who receive him just like the little children. So this week, as we strive to impart the word of God to the kids and provide space for them to meet Him, let us also watch with open eyes how these little ones respond to Jesus. We may learn a thing or two…

-- 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 NIV