A CROWDED CHURCH

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 25, Issue 3766, 8 June 1936, Page 4

A CROWDED CHURCH

350 CHILDREN AS CONGREGATION. IA congregation of almost 350 people packed the historic church of St. John, Tq Awamutu, to the doors on Sunday morning, the occasion being a special service for children of the Church conducted by children themselves, and graced by the presence of Bishop Williams, of Waiapu, who delivered a delightfully interesting talk to the children, who had come from all parts of the parish, including Pirongia, Te Rore, Paterangi, Puketotara, Mangapiko, Te Kawa, Pokuru, Te Mawhai, Crossroads, Ngahape Korakonui, Kihikihi, Parawera, Pukeatua, Puahue, Hairini, Te Rahu, and of course Te Awamutu itself, and comprised for the greater part members of Sunday schools and Bible classes, with their teachers, and a special choir under the baton of Mrs H. Steer. The vicar, Rev. S. R. Wareing, with the help of a small committqe of enthusiasts, organised the function, and also the community luncheon and celebration concert which followed in the Parish Hall. Popular and appropriate hymns were sung, the opening prayer, the lessons (from 1 Samuel 3rd verse, and Mark 10: 13th verse), the creed and prayers all being taken by boys of the senior Bible class of St. John’s. A special anthem, “Hear the Lord,” was effectively rendered by the children’s choir. Bishop Williams quickly made friends with his unusual congregation, and said that he was not giving an address —but just a talk to the boys and girls—the most important and interesting things there are! He explained that the Bible has a lot to say about children, and he quoted several passages in support of his contention that Jesus Christ ever had children in mind, for instance “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” The fact that yesterday was Trinity Sunday made the special service all the more appropriate, and he stressed the importance of what you are to God, and what God is to you. It was a ten-minute talk full of interest, and delivered in a manner that was impressive and altogether inspiring.