Last weekend, I had the pleasure of travelling to Stoney Creek to witness my grandson’s First Communion. The church was packed to the gills, and the second graders were looking all polished and proud. From what I could see, their teachers and the parish priest had prepared these children extremely well. The priest gave a very short message to the children and then he redirected his comments to the parents. He admonished them to not let this be the only time they bring their child to church to receive communion. He stressed that this should be a regular weekly occurrence in order to bring up their child properly in the Catholic faith. Looking around me at the full church, I wondered how many of these children would actually come to church on a regular basis with their parents. The pessimist in me thought, “Not many.” Life has a way of getting in the way of worship. Young boys who are in a hockey or baseball league have regular practices on Sundays. (This has always bugged me.) Parents who are overworked and tired, may want to stay home and have a quiet restive Sunday to prepare for the upcoming week at work.
The Bible strongly encourages parents to bring children to church, viewing it as essential for passing on faith, training them in worship, and covenantal inclusion. Jesus welcomed children to be near him, forbidding that they be hindered, and used them to illustrate the nature of the Kingdom of God.
Key biblical principles regarding bringing children to church:
- Explicit Command: The Old Testament instructs parents to gather the community—men, women, and children—to learn, worship, and hear the Lord (Deuteronomy 31:12), a practice that continues into the New Testament church as a “covenant family”.
Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.
- Encouragement from Jesus: When disciples tried to send children away, Jesus was indignant, stating “let the little children come to me” (Mark 10:13–16), establishing a precedent that children belong in the community of believers.
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 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. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
- Training & Instruction: Parents are commanded to train children up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6) and instruct them in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), which includes participating in communal worship and hearing the Word.
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
- A Blessing. Not a Disruption: Children are described as a heritage and reward (Psalm 127:3), and their presence in worship is seen as valuable, not disruptive.
- Lifelong Foundation: Bringing children to church helps build a strong foundation for their life. Timothy, for example, knew the Scriptures from infancy (2 Timothy 3:15).
…and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Here’s hoping that a whole new generation will be active participants in the worship of our Lord and Saviour and will revere His holy words. If not now, then may they all come back to the fold as adults. They will always be welcome at the Lord’s table.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
SAVE THE DATE!!
Mission Awareness Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
Our guest speaker this year is Dwan Billings who is the Finance Administration Coordinator for Presbyterian World Service and Development at the National Church Office, as well as the Treasurer for West Toronto Presbytery, Jane Finch Reaching Up, University Presbyterian Church and five other Presbyterian Congregations and three other churches of different denominations. Dwan helps to strengthen faithful stewardship, accountability and trust. She says that she loves numbers and watching them fit together is fascinating to her.
With academic training in Finance, Accounting, Marketing and Business Management, Dwan approaches stewardship not only as a responsibility, but as an expression of faith – supporting the church’s call to serve, respond and care for others.
The subject of this year’s Mission Awareness Sunday is the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica in late October 2025. Dwan and her husband have a property in Jamaica and were there in March to assess the damage. She has many photos and stories to share with us. Donation envelopes will be in your program.
Also, there will be cake!! One of the Billings’ four children, Shayden, is turning a year older that day and we will celebrate with the family.
Please join us.
Graceview’s Mission Team
Greetings from Glen
In 30 days God is directing me to go down another path which doesn’t include Graceview. I would like to thank Pastor Eric, Choir Members and everyone else for your kindness and Christian love, while we worshiped together for the last 10 months. I have put you on my permanent Prayer List and I hope you will consider praying for me on my new journey. I will be starting a Bible Study and Prayer Meeting every Friday evening at 7pm. Several individuals are going to attend by Zoom, because they enjoy the ideas of including Archeology and History to each book of the Bible that we will be studying. You are most welcome to join.
Many Blessings and many Prayers,
Glen
(For more information, speak to Glen)
Common Scents
Please be advised that our church has a scent-free protocol. It seems that some of our dear parishioners feel unwell due to heavy floral smells. Please be considerate of those in our congregation who are affected by strong smells and odors and refrain from perfumes or colognes when coming to worship on Sunday mornings. Thank you one and all.
A Spring Devotional Update (March 22)
A new edition of These Days (April/May/June), as well as the current edition of Our Daily Bread (March/April/May) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Coffee Sign-Up
It is that time of year again when we are looking for volunteers to serve coffee and tea after worship. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Adamson Lounge.
April – Outreach Team
May 3 – Mission Team with Kathy & Susan
May 10_____________
May17 – Carol & Iris
May 24 – Margaret & Robyn
May 31_____________
Thank you to all of you who have given so willingly of your time and efforts. We appreciate you!!
UPCOMING EVENTS
* Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM – Walking Group – All are welcome to walk and enjoy Centennial Park
* Thursdays @ 2:00 PM – Worship service at Centennial Park Place
* Sunday, May 3 @ 10:30 AM – Mission Awareness Sunday (This will be led by our Mission Team)
*Tuesday, May 19 @ 6:30 PM – Session Meeting
*Friday, Sept. 11 @ 2:00 PM – Music & Worship meeting
WEEKLY SMILE
Thanks to Joan and Peter Kohar
The Best Way to Pray
A priest, a minister and a guru sat discussing the best positions for prayer, while a telephone repairman worked nearby.
“Kneeling is definitely the best way to pray,” the priest said.
“No,” said the minister. “I get the best results standing with my hands outstretched to Heaven.”
“You’re both wrong,” the guru said. “The most effective prayer position is lying down on the floor.”
The repairman could contain himself no longer. “Hey, fellas,” he interrupted.
“The best prayin’ I ever did was when I was hangin’ upside down from a telephone pole.”