From this week’s Vacation Bible School, the Children’s Moment, led by Minister of Children and Families, Maggie Jarrell, remembers and celebrates that.  We have been working our way through the early parts of the Gospel of Mark, and today’s passage includes the very familiar parables of the seeds and the mustard seed.  We live in an age when technology gives us constant access to news, and with that, as followers of Jesus, our hearts hurt with all the conflict and suffering.  How far are we from the kin-dom of heaven on earth?  How do we navigate the gap?  Some of the parables of Jesus might help encourage us.  Those listening to Jesus in his day were living under oppression and were living with anxiety and dread, even though they knew the words of the prophets who declared the kingdom of God.  Although we might think of the kingdom of God as a great army, Jesus says, instead, it’s like the mustard seed, the tiniest of seeds.  Perhaps the kin-dom is not coming in giant moves but in the smallest ways, and those tiny ways can be multiplied by God into the largest of shrubs.  There are many examples.  The parable of the seeds tells us to sow the seeds and then trust God.    (NOTE: We are in a new summer schedule for Sundays continuing through June and July with a single worship service at 10 o’clock.  NOTE: Reflecting the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture, but once it starts you can scroll back to the beginning of the service if you want.  The entire service is videoed.)