Children’s Church at Edmonton Central

Veryrecently, I had the privilege to watch our children in action as they participated in various activities during one of their regularly planned Children's Church Programs. I observed these little ones in action at various age levels— singing action songs, stamping little feet, clapping hands, each in their own individual child likeness with that spark of trust in their eyes giving praise and worship to God. As I watched these children, the words of the Psalmist came to my mind. Imagination cannot contain the delight God inspires, “Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Breaks forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.” (Ps. 98:4) Nature itself joins in, “Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord (v 8.).” We have also seen throughout scripture God entrusting special trust to children and using them for His special purpose. God called Samuel as a child to deliver a difficult message to the high priest Eli. He was willing and obedient to God's calling. (1 Sam 3:10) As I divert my attention from the children to teachers and parents in the Children's Sabbath School, the task is huge! It can also be frightening and challenging, but we need to continue to reach out to our children. The relationship they have with you will dramatically colour the way they think about God. Ellen White said that in the closing scene of this earth’s history, many of those children/youth will astonish people by their witness to the truth, which will be borne in simplicity, yet with spirit and power. Our children at Edmonton Central Children's Church, they are relying on all of us to feel and experience that sense of belonging—a chance to grow in grace and the knowledge of God.