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“But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16).
Do you remember your first day of the school year? The building's freshly waxed floors; classroom desks scrubbed and neatly arranged; newly painted walls begging for student’s art projects and poems; bulletin boards decorated with positive messages for young minds. I remember the words of a grade school bulletin board: “You are special. You matter.” What I most especially remember was the teacher who taught us what those words meant. My grade school chorus teacher, Mrs. Cooley, brought those words to life in the way she spoke to us, and smiled at us, and even disciplined us. We loved Mrs. Cooley because we knew she cared about us, and she told us by showing us.
You are special. You matter. Isn’t that the message of Jesus Christ? Jesus went out of his way to teach us how special we are to God, and how much we matter in God’s Kingdom. I think if Jesus had a bulletin board, his message would have been very similar to Mrs. Cooley’s. But Jesus didn’t have a bulletin board because Jesus didn’t stay in one place to teach. Jesus was all about “show and tell”. Jesus went out, he left the synagogue where they had already heard the message of God, and went to the people who were hungry for loving relationships. He spoke of God’s love every day in the market place, at the sea side, on the hillsides and in the valleys. He called the children to him; spent time with them, told parables about them. He showed them and told them of God’s love. I urge you to do the same. Become involved at Suder Elementary school. Continue the good work started last year by spending 1-2 hours per week tutoring, mentoring, shelving library books, helping with bus duty; whatever is needed. And believe me, the need is great! FPCJ was recognized and awarded the distinction of “Partner in Education” with Suder Elementary, by the Clayton County Public School Administration. Let’s continue to have a positive impact in our community by showing and telling the children and staff at Suder that they are important, they do matter, and they are special. Go to them like Jesus comes to us, building relationships. Teach them like Jesus teaches us, by showing up and showing them. Go; show, and tell! For Jesus’ sake and the sake of the Kingdom of God.
Grace and Peace for the journey,
Pastor Sue
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Pastor's Corner 
