Let the Little Children Come to Me

We often get it backwards about who the most important person is in our society.  Normally it is seen from top-down approach.  A great example of this is in the army.  Often times when a general is going to be showing up everything is dress, right, dress, and we wait expectantly. Then we get notified and we are put to parade rest so we can go to attention when he enters the room.  If there is a surprise visit, the first one to see him calls the room to attention because of the importance given to him by rank.  You’d never see the room come to attention for a Specialist!

In the church, Jesus turns who is important upside down. In Mark 9:33-37 they (Jesus and the Disciples) came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”  Children of God are the most important.

Though we are all children of God, the youngest amongst us exemplify this the greatest.  Thus, the most important thing that we can give to our children is the Word of God and our Lord’s gift of the Sacraments.  We invite all to join us every Sunday and we especially want all parents and children in the Divine Service regularly. For parents are given the all important task of teaching their children and Christ has given to all their holy mother, the Church to nourish you all in the faith.

We also recognize another important thing that babies need and that is sustenance.  Until the last century, the task of caring for those in need fell exclusively to the Church as she cared for the children.  While The Church’s primary focus would be to care for the members of the church as she is able the Church also cares for those outside the Church.  A great example of this is LERT (Lutheran Early Response Teams) that respond in times of disaster and help all in the community. Like Hope Lutheran Church did in responding to the Cushman/Cave City tornadoes last spring.

In October 2025, we expanded our services of mercy with the creation of the Family Life Pantry (FLP), a source of help to families with children and toddlers, providing resources to help parents in this other task.  This has been no small task.  Starting with a matching $5000 Life Grant from the LCMS, we also found out that we could apply for a grant from our district to help with this mercy project.

Hope Lutheran Church was privileged to receive this grant and on March 15 we had a $7500 GROW grant from the Mid-South District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod presented to us for work in our newly formed FLP.  The FLP is quickly becoming a source of help to those in need, we now have 65 families being served from Batesville and the surrounding community.  Last Monday (March 9) was our biggest showing yet.  In just two hours 27 families came from 5-7pm to be helped.  This Saturday, March 21st from 9-11am we will serve breakfast hand out more baby essentials! This continues our month pattern.  We are open on the second Monday of the month from 5-7pm and the third Saturday of the month from 9-11am in the hopes of being able to connect with individuals outside of normal working hours.

Hope Lutheran Church does not do this alone.  Our sister congregation, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Horseshoe Bend regularly has members volunteer.  Members at both churches have been generous with their time and resources as we provide this service to the community.  We have now been serving the community for 6 months.  it is exciting to watch both congregations work together despite the significant distances between congregations.  Our desire, in the future, is to offer this resource at Horseshoe Bend as well.  May the Lord bless this work!

Click here to learn more information on the Hope Family Life Pantry and see what it offers and what to bring to receive these essential items for your babies and toddlers.  We hope to see you there and that you will see the most important thing that the little ones need!  If you desire to help please let us know as well.  Contact information is also in that link above.