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It's not just worship that offers an opportunity for people of all ages to participate together. Even congregational meetings, where the children technically don't count for votes or quorums, can be a place for children to participate in the work and activity of the church. 

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Sometimes it takes a young child who listens very literally to the invitation to "pray with me" to make us pause and remember what it means to pray together in worship. 

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When we read scripture in worship, we are all participating in that reading, whether we are the ones reading aloud, we are sitting in our seats listening, or we are reading along silently from the bulletin. 

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St. John has an old-fashioned church bell with a big rope attached to it for ringing the bell. This piece of tradition not only ties us to the past, but offers a place to reflect on the joy of all ages worshiping together and God's Word born among us as one of us in the person Jesus. 

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After focusing my energy on the Facets of Faith podcast (check out stjohnchurchmars.org/blog for episodes exploring scripture, recordings of sermons, and a 101 series on worship), it's time to come back and reflect on the glimpses of grace I see at St. John. For a while, at least, this podcast will focus on the gifts of all ages together ministry and the ways that this approach to church offers us glimpses of the reign of heaven, glimpses of grace. 

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Sights in the garden in the early days of spring invite reflection on our baptismal promises and the ways God is always making new life in and through us. 

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During Lent, St. John is taking a more creative approach to telling and hearing the gospel stories. In this reflection, Pastor Katie explores the way that this way of storytelling reminds us of the life in the stories of scripture that is still speaking to us today. 

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Memorization for the sake of memorization might be challenging, but prayers that are memorized and integrated into our faith can provide touchpoints and grounding in our faith in moments of crisis, failed words, and fading memory. Pastor Katie reflects on the gift of having the Lord's Prayer memorized and readily accessible for her and for those for whom she cares. 

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If everything we need for worship is in the bulletin, why do we still have the hymnals in the pews? Do people even know what hymnals are anymore? Kids' curiosity apparently can answer both of those questions! Hymnals invite us to explore and to see what there is to see in the words of our faith traditions, and kids are looking with the curiosity that they bring to much of life.

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Reels might not be where you first think to go for scriptural inspiration, but a reel shared by a confirmation student invites Pastor Katie to reflect on the imaginative conversation we can have with scripture as we engage with God's Word, God's work, and God's will in our daily lives. 

Learn more about St. John Lutheran Church at stjohnchurchmars.org or follow us on Facebook.