ast Sunday was a wonderful day at Hillside. A group of our elementary students presented a medley of patriotic and spiritual songs during worship time. Their message was that the people that helped form our government and nation were led by God and that their faith played a key role in how they thought and lived. Sunnie Miller and others had worked with the children for several weeks and the program was excellent.

The opening provided the perfect format to study a teaching Jesus gave on the value of being child-like in our faith. The story is recorded in three of the gospels and helps us see how important it is to not play games with God. Jesus was indignant when the disciples sought to prevent children from coming to see Him. He ordered that they be allowed access to Him and went on to say that unless His followers came to Him like children they would have no part in the Kingdom of God. We have to understand that He is interested in the person we really are and not our grown up faced. The Lord can't minister to, or save the front we put up, it is false. He is able to, and died for the real us. He asks that we take off our masks and trust Him to receive us "just as we are". If your Christian walk seems distant and unreal it is probably because you haven't been real with the God who loves you. Give it a try; He'll surprise even the most jaded.

It has been a joy to watch construction begin on our new area for education and youth activities. The youth group has been growing and no longer is able to fit in the double classroom they now have. One of our adult Bible school classes has been meeting in the sanctuary for some time and is looking forward to their own space. We know that it is God who has caused the need for more room. We are ready for the challenge and praise Him for it.

Our response to the sanctuary being too full was to begin two Sunday morning worship times. God has blessed this effort with good and growing attendance. The extra preparation and workload it causes is more than worth the cost because more people have more room and can pick a time that best suits their needs that day. Both services present the same opportunities for worship and involvement. A few folks do double or even triple duty on Sunday but simply consider it their "reasonable service to God". We know from experience that if we provide the space with sincere hearts God will fill it. If you are best served by an 8:00 am opportunity to worship the Father in Spirit and truth you are invited to join us.