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Sermon Details
- Pastor Name: Jonathan Cornell
- Date & Time: November 15, 2015 | 10:00am
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SERMON SERIES:
Generations: Blessing and Honoring
Dave and Mary Nida occupy the same third row pew week in and week out at Hope Presbyterian Church. Dave, a tall, slender, dark haired gentle looking fellow, and Mary, a stately, grey haired woman, dressed to the nines. The two of them are hard to miss when you’re in church, unless you’re trying to catch up with them after worship.
I asked my folks about them once when I was younger: “Mom, Dad, what’s with that couple that always sits up front but doesn’t seem to talk with anyone? Who are they?”
“???”
This couple was a mystery to me, that is until I cornered them just last year following our annual visit to my home congregation in Minneapolis. I saw them, once again sitting in their usual place, and when church was over, I made a bee-line for them, practically trapping them when church was over.
One thing that my 7 years of ministry has taught me: it’s within the four walls of buildings like this one, I am a fearless extravert—out there, it’s another story.
“Hi. I’ve seen you at this church all my life, but I don’t know anything about you. Who are you?”
They both looked at one another and slyly smiled.
“You may not know us, but we certainly know you. We were your Sunday School teachers when you were in Kindergarten, and we know that you are a pastor, and frankly, we’re not at all surprised. We knew it then.”
We went on to swap stories for a few more minutes until Dave said to me, “I’m sorry to cut this short, but we need to get to our class.”
“Oh really, what class is that?” I said.
“Kindergarten Sunday School.”
I later learned that the Nidas have taught that same class for 35 years, with no signs of slowing down.
The love for children and a willingness to pour into the next generation began with Jesus.
Download the entire transcript: Matthew 19 13-15 When Children Become People
