January 31, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
Last night was a lot of fun at Space Camp! I know you already heard about it! The kids had a great time on the bungee run - wish you could have been there! We also have some great stuff planned for your child this Sunday here at Northwood! Here’s what we’re talking about….
In our preschool ministry, we are beginning a new month by talking to preschoolers about our friend Jesus. This week, we’re looking at Luke 5:1 - 11 as we talk about Jesus helping Peter fish. Peter and the other fishermen worked all night and hadn’t caught any fish until Jesus came into the picture. When He came along, they had so many fish that the boat began to sink! Sometime this week, use a bottle of bubbles and play a game of “catching bubbles.” Talk to your child about how hard it is to catch a bubble without popping it. Remind him that sometimes it’s hard for us to do things by ourselves, but nothing is too hard for Jesus. Share with your child that Jesus can do anything!
For your elementaryage children, we are beginning a new virtue of kindness -showing others they are valuable by how you treat them. Sunday we’re talking about how important it is to treat others the way you want to be treated by looking in Luke 6:17 - 20, 27-36. Here are some questions to ask your child this week: Who is one person you can show some “extra” kindness to this week? Talk to your child about how he could show kindness to this person. Encourage him to intentionally show kindness to that person all week! Talk with your child each night throughout the week about how he showed kindness. It will encourage you as you watch your child “go out of his way” to be kind to others!
So here’s what I need you to do to help your child grow spiritually this week: Take the suggestions I just talked about and really use them this week! The impact you and I can have together will be amazing! You do your part and we, as the church, will do ours - that’s a promise!
See you Sunday!
January 30, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized
I am pumped about Space Camp tonight! Tonight we’re going parachuting! No, they’re going to be safe! Before you decide not to bring your child tonight, let me explain! Tonight, your child will go into the Recreation Center for some time on the skydiving inflatable amusement and then spend a few minutes in an “umbrella flying” relay! They’ll have to be here to get it! Of course, we have bright pink slime to pour on the kids to top off the night! Oh yeah and tonight, I get to relive some of my childhood! Do you remember those little parachuting men we used to play with as kids, they’re coming back tonight - can’t wait to see what the kids think! We’re also bringing back the wax candy (the wax with the liquid stuff inside) - man, that’s good stuff! We’ll see if they think so too!
We’re focusing tonight on Revelation 1:7. I’m talking to the kids tonight about Jesus’ return. What will it be like? Is it something to look forward to or be afraid of? What do we need to do now to be ready? I’ll try to answer all of those questions tonight. On your ride home from church tonight, take some time to talk to your child about what Heaven will be like. Explain how we who know Jesus as our Savior do not have to be afraid of His return! He is coming one day to take us to an incredible, beautiful place - a place where there’s no sin, no stomach aches, no bad days, and all the candy we want (at least that’s what I think)!
Hope to see your child (4 years old - 6th grade) tonight for Space Camp!
January 29, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged after children, before children, parenting
Raising children is a tireless job that most of you know all too well! Today, I want to thank you for all you do! You do not hear it enough! The job that you have as a parent is one that is never-ending but so rewarding. Raising children to be men and women of God is an incredible blessing and incredible journey!
If today is one of those frustrating days for you as a parent, let’s take some time to laugh a little. I found this list of “Life Before Children and Life After Children.”
Enjoy the journey of parenthood! We are here to help! See you tomorrow night!
• Before children: I was thankful to have been born the USA, the most powerful free democracy in the world.
• After children: I am thankful for Velcro tennis shoes. As well as saving valuable time. Now I can hear the sound of my son taking off his shoes — which gives me three extra seconds to activate the safety locks on the back seat windows right before he hurls them out of the car and onto the freeway.
• Before children: I was thankful for the recycling program which will preserve our natural resources and prevent the overloading of landfills.
• After children: I am thankful for swim diapers because every time my son wandered into water in plain disposables, he ended up wearing a blimp the size of… say… New Jersey, on his bottom.
• Before children: I was thankful for fresh, organic vegetables.
• After children: I am thankful for micro-waveable macaroni and cheese — without which my children would be surviving on about three bites of cereal and their own spit.
• Before children: I was thankful for the opportunity to obtain a college education and have a higher quality of life than my ancestors.
• After children: I am thankful to finish a complete thought without being interrupted.
• Before children: I was thankful for holistic medicine and natural herbs.
• After children: I am thankful for pediatric cough syrup “guaranteed to cause drowsiness” in young children.
• Before children: I was thankful for the opportunity to vacation in exotic foreign countries so I could experience a different way of life in a new culture.
• After children: I am thankful to have time to make it all the way down the driveway to get the mail.
• Before children: I was thankful for the Moosewood Vegetarian cookbook.
• After children: I am thankful for the butterball turkey hotline.
• Before children: I was thankful for a warm, cozy home to share with my loved ones.
• After children: I am thankful for the lock on the bathroom door.
• Before children: I was thankful for material objects like custom furniture, a nice car and trendy clothes.
• After children: I am thankful that when the baby spits up but misses my good shoes!
January 28, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged family connection, notes
Thank you! Our Family Connection event yesterday was an incredible night for me. When I envision ministry to families, I envision parents and kids playing together and enjoying their time at church together. As I watched you slide down the slide with your child in your arms and race through the obstacle course with your preschooler, it was incredible to think about the potential impact we, as the church, along with you, as the parent, can have in a child’s life. Thank you for taking some time to use the event that we specifically planned for you by enjoying time at church with your children.
Thank you also for your comments and questions following the Parent Meeting! I hope that I was able to give you some insight into my vision for the children’s ministry and the reasons behind the programs and events that we have as a ministry to children. We exist to partner with you! Several of you asked me for a copy of my notes from last night so you can take some time to process through everything I shared. I have copies of them available for you in the children’s ministry area. Feel free to pick one up this week!
Remember…Look for teachable moments today as you interact with your child. Then, use what we talked about yesterday to help it become real for them. You can check this blog regularaly for an update of what we talk about with your children each week!
Let me know if I can do anything to make your family time more special as we as a church strive to connect with your family!
January 24, 2008
· Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged January 27
Hey Parents! All month, we’ve been talking about orderliness- arranging things to make your day easier with our first through sixth graders. This week, we’re learning that, just like God gives us changing seasons throughout the year, He also gives us different times in our lives. We need to learn to make the most of every opportunity God gives us. We are looking in the book of Ecclestiastes 3 and focusing on verses 1 - 8. It’s definitely going to be one of those weeks that I learn as much as the kids do!
Let me give you some questions to ask your childafter Sunday during meal times, while you’re riding down the road, or picking up from school this week. Talk to your child about a time in your life when you had to trust God. Is it harder for you to trust God when you’re at a high point in your life or at a low point? Ask your child what he or she enjoys about being a kid. Encourage your child to enjoy the “season of life” God has given him now!
Also, don’t forget to ask your child for his GodTime card this week. GodTime cards are great ways to get your child into the Bible each day. Encourage your child to complete one day of the card each day throughout the week. Help your child with his GodTime card this week. It will encourage you as you watch your child apply what we learned Sunday to their lives through the GodTime cards all week!
This Sunday, preschoolers are learning that Jesus taught us to love other people. Your preschooler will talk about how we can do kind things for others to show them that we love them! Think of someone this week that needs encouraging. Help your child make cookies for that person and take them to him or her. When you take what we teach your child here at church and apply it, it really begins to “take root” and make a difference.
I’m praying for you as you parent your child this week! We are here to help! Let me know if we can help you and your child grow closer to each other and closer to your Heavenly Father this week!
