The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1929, Page 155

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THE LUTHERAN PIONEER.

155

Children’s Mission-Service and School
Festival.

One who has not been at a children’s mission-
service, especially one inwhich 288 children delivered
a splendid mission-sermon, has still something to
learn about church festivals. Just such a service was
held in St. James’s Church at Shawano, Wis., on
July 9. Since we had the pleasure of being there,
we shall say a few words concerning the service for
the benefit of others not so fortunate as we. Due to
energetic mission-work and other circumstances the
congregation at Shawano, like many others, has be-
come bilingual. This fact need not be deplored, for
it is the will of the Lord that His saving Gospel be
preached to all nations and in many tongues. From
Scripture we also know that the Pentecostal congre-
gation consisted of people of many languages. At
the conclusion of that great service, the Parthians,
the Medes, the Elamites, and many others, being
amazed, said: “We do hear them speak in our
tongues the wonderful works of God.”

The language question, as far as services are
concerned, is solved at Shawano in the following
manner. On each Sunday morning German and
English services are conducted. During Lent the
congregation has German and English services each
week. However, since the 288 preachers at the
mission-service, mentioned above, with few excep-
tions, use English only, but one service could be
held. Still, both languages were successfully used.
Pastor N. P. Uhlig read Scripture-lessons in both
languages. The congregational singing also was in
German and English. Surely such services, too, are
well-pleasing to the Lord.

The powerful and touching sermon delivered by
the young preachers of this parochial school was
based on the Second Petition of the Lord’s Prayer:
“Thy kingdom come,” as arranged in a pamphlet

issued by Concordia Publishing House. Even in the.

“spacious church auditorium in Shawano the sermon
was well understood by all. This is as it should be,
for only then can the preaching of the Word be
effective.

With only one exception the answers of the
children were given by classes. In this manner all
the children had a part in the presentation of the
program. The one exception was when nine chil-
dren, specially chosen for this part because of their
clear voices; stepped to the altar and recited an
answer.

_ ‘The singing of the children truly was inspiring.
Whenever I read of angelic choirs in Scripture,

I think of a children’s chorus rather than a St. Olaf
or Bach chorus. Our baptized children stand closest
to the angels also as far as their pure and clear
voices are concerned. Such thoughts help me greatly
to enjoy special singing by our children, and that
not only at Christmas-time, but also in any ordinary
service.

After the singing and reciting had come to an
end, the children in an orderly manner approached
the altar and put their offering on a table placed
there for this purpose. At the beginning of the past
school-year each child received an envelope in which
its savings were to be put. During the school term,
at intervals, the children were reminded that it is
indeed a privilege to save for Christ and His cause.
The result of this endeavor was an offering of
$88.50. Surely, if we would educate our Christians
to become cheerful givers, the beginning ought to be
made with the children. Christian children are the
most willing and cheerful givers in the world. The
words of Christ: “Except ye be converted and be-
come as little children, ye shall not enter into the
kingdom of heaven,” may properly be applied to
giving also. (

In the afternoon the annual school festival was
held in the congregational park, located between the
church and school. With songs, play, and recitations
the children entertained their parents.

It seems to us that this arrangement is a very
practical one, and we hope that the congregation at
Shawano will annually celebrate this joint festival
for the good of its school and the entire congregation.

H. Dam, in WV. Wis. Messenger.

Mission-Work in a County Home.

Often the question is asked, “Does institutional
mission work pay?” In answer to this question the
following account of mission-work in a county home
as carried on by one of our pastors serves quite well.

In the fall of 1928 the opportunity presented
itself to open up a mission in one of the county ©
homes situated in the State of Ohio. By permission
of those in charge of the home a public service was

“conducted for the inmates of the home in the

living-room ofthe establishment, on a Sunday after-
noon late in the month of October. The first ser-
vice was somewhat poorly attended, as were also the
second and third. But by and by the attendance in-
creased, until it was seen that the living-room was
too small for the purpose.

’ That our services had met with favor became