And the Children's sermon worth sharing

Since there were enough young people in Church to actually have a Children's sermon and a Sunday School Class, that's what we did.

Before the service, one of the young boys asked me where "The Christmas Play-set" was, meaning what happened to the Christmas Creche scene. Since we've been using a creche using crocheted figures, it made sense. I had taken it down during the week, since Epiphany would be passed by Sunday, so the Wise Men had returned to their country and Joseph had taken Mary and Jesus to Egypt to avoid Herod's murderous plot. Also it was time to take the Christmas decorations down.

This year's version of the Creche... including the Canadian moose, Martin Luther (on right),
Francis of Assisi (on left), and the Christmas Mouse (die Weihnachtsmaus) who takes the blame for anything that goes wrong at Christmas.

 For the Children's sermon, I asked where Jesus had gone since the Creche was removed. One little boy said he didn't know. A little girl said "Heaven." After a few more askings, the oldest young boy said "Heaven and in your heart."

At that point, I was ready to surrender the pulpit to him for the rest of the year. What more could I add?

Our church's "Mitten Tree" that collected 32 pairs of socks, 17 pairs of gloves or mittens,
8 toques, and a scarf for the Wonen's Shelter in St. Thomas.

The small Chrismon tree in the fellowship hall.

The familiar figure of St. Nicholas