Northwood Parents

Here’s what we’re talking about with your kids on Sunday…

Preschoolers are in John 14:1 - 4.  Jesus told His disciples He was going away to make a special place for everyone who loves Him.  Jesus loves everyone and wants everyone to be with Him in Heaven.  Take some time this week to make a special hide-out, using blankets, sheets, or towels for your preschooler.  As you make his hide-out, talk about the special place Jesus has prepared for those who love Him!  This is a great opportunity to give you some special time with your preschooler and utilize teachable moments at the same time!

Elementary kids are looking into the Bible and exploring it for all the wild and interesting stories in it!  We really want kids to understand that the Bible is not some boring, irrelevant book!  It is an incredible book full of incredible stories!  On the ride home Sunday, ask your child to share with you some stories she heard Sunday morning!  Talk about the stories and what they mean for us today!

Here at Northwood, we believe that the only way we can teach your child biblical truths is by utilizing parents!  We can have an incredible ministry to children but, without your help, it will be useless!  Take some time to discuss what we talk about each time your kids are here!  It will make a difference!  Try it and see!

Don’t forget … Sunday is the last day to buy tickets for Kidz Blitz Live! in advance!  Pick them up at the Welcome Center Sunday morning!  Adults ~ $4       Children ~ $2!  Here is a link to their website to tell you more!  See you Sunday!

Here’s what’s happening at UpStuf tonight … Sam comes down with a serious disease — orangodefessuvomicatitis!  She reads all about it on the Internet, so it must be true!  What’s she going to do?  Is she going to die?  Her skin is turning orange!  Find out what happens to Sam tonight!  Will she be OK?  We’ll see you tonight for UpStuf!

We are focusing on the truth that we don’t have to be afraid because Jesus is alive.  There are a lot of things that kids are afraid of!  Talk with your child about her fears!  Was Jesus ever afraid?  Tonight, your child will hear about a time when Jesus was afraid!  We don’t have to be afraid though!  Jesus will always help us!  Jesus said that if we believe in Him, we can live forever with Him!  Explain to your child that, because Jesus defeated death, we can do the same!

Can’t wait to see you tonight!

Hey everybody!  I’ve had several e-mails today from people wanting to know about numbers from the Easter Egg Hunt Saturday.  Here’s the info.

Based on registration information, it looks like we had about 1028 people out for the egg hunt.  Of course, that is based on registration and doesn’t include workers or people who didn’t register!  I love the thought of over one thousand people being impacted by the love of our people!  I hope everyone who attended was able to get a glimpse into the love of our Savior as they watched our love on display!

Our next big event is Sunday, April 20 at 6:00!  Spring Fling 2008!  It’s going to be our biggest ever!  We’ll have more rides and amusements for the kids than ever before and of course, free hot dogs and drinks, music, and a lot of fun!  If you or someone you know is interested in sponsoring an amusement at Spring Fling, feel free to click here!  The deadline for sponsorships is this Sunday, March 30!

I ran across an article last week about the ways parents express their love to their children.  It got me thinking about the ways parents spend their time feeding, clothing, and caring for their children, while their children often don’t realize that parents do these things because they love their children.  Why don’t parents do little things to intentionally let their children know how much they love them?  Maybe because they’re so busy trying to be good parents, that little things become not so important.  Let’s talk about some ways that you, as a parent, can do some little things to make your child feel special.

~ Set aside some time for just you and your child.

Take some time to spend with your child one on one.  Take some time to stop and play a game with them.  Play hide and seek.  The activity doesn’t matter!  The time does!

~ Remember the little things.

It can be as simple as giving him a sticker or taking him to Chuck E. Cheese or putting notes in his lunchbox!  Do small things!  I guarantee he will not forget!

~Tell your child how you feel.

This one sounds like a “no-brainer” but it is SO IMPORTANT!  Don’t let a day go by when you don’t tell your child you love her!  It may seem obvious!  You take care of her every need, but saying it means a lot!  Tell your child how you feel on a consistent basis!

It is so important that you take time to make sure your child understands your love for him!  Express that love everyday — it may mean more than you ever know!

Sunday’s the big day - Easter!  We’ve got a great day of celebration planned for your kids this weekend…

First of all, don’t forget about the Easter Egg Hunt this Saturday, March 22 from 2 - 4 at the Lake Cunningham Picnic Shelter.  It looks like we’re going to have some great weather, so don’t miss it!

Preschoolers are learning about the resurrection of Jesus and focusing specifically on Matthew 26:26-30 as they discuss the Passover meal that Jesus ate with his disciples.  Just like Jesus spent time with His disciples, He wants to spend time with us.  Sometime this week, as your preschooler eats a snack, read him a story about Jesus from the Bible.  Help your child remember that Jesus spent time with the people He loved and we can do the same.  Jesus loves everyone and wants to spend time with us!

Also, don’t forget the Easter Parade Sunday morning during Morning Worship.  Please make sure your preschooler is in his classroom by 9:45 Sunday morning so we can begin lining them up for the parade!  It’s just another opportunity to celebrate Easter by showing off some of our blessings in this church!

Elementary kids are looking at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus from Luke 23:26-24:12.  We are celebrating this week!  Last week, your child came into a dark, quiet, somber atmosphere as we learned that Jesus was going to die!  This week, the atmosphere has completely changed.  Your child will come into an exciting, colorful, fun atmosphere because Jesus is no longer dead!  He is alive!  Sometime Sunday afternoon, talk to your child about the day’s events.  Talk about the excitement that she experienced at church Sunday morning!  Why was there excitement this week and not last week?  Because Jesus, the one who was dead, is alive!  For us!!  I really want kids to see the contrast between the  news that Jesus is dead and the news that we have today - He is alive!  We want to drive home the fact that we don’t have to be afraid because Jesus can do anything!  Whatever we face, Jesus can help us with!  If He defeated death, He can certainly defeat any problem we could ever have!!!

I’ll see you Saturday at the Easter Egg Hunt!  Celebrate!  Jesus is not dead!  He is alive!!

It’s Wednesday and you know what that means … UpStuf!  Tyler has a major dilemma tonight.  His church has asked him to present an Easter monologue at church on Sunday!  He is scared!  He just can’t do it.  Watch as Tyler tries to get out of being in the presentation but, with a little help from Mrs. F and Grandpa Henry, learns that He can do anything with God’s help!

On the ride home from UpStuf tonight, talk to your child about being afraid.  Talk about some common things he or she is afraid of.  Help your child understand that we don’t have to be afraid.  God will be there for us!  He is always with us!  Tonight, your child will once again hear about the crucifixion of Jesus.  Typically kids have a lot of questions when they hear about the crucifixion.  Do your best to answer their questions, helping them to understand that the whole reason for Jesus dying was to pay for the mistakes that we make, because He never made any mistakes.  This time of the year is the perfect time to help kids understand their need for the Savior.  If I can help you explain this season and the events of crucifixion or resurrection with you and your child, feel free to let me know.  You can get in touch here.

See you tonight for Week 3 of UpStuf!

Today, let’s take a look at the role of prayer in your home and how you can encourage your child to begin to develop a prayer life.

Statistics prove that 65% of parents pray with their children before bed and at mealtimes.  Here’s a  few steps, according to Dr. James Dobson, that may help your child develop prayer as a part of her lifestyle:

Explain the importance of prayer.

A good reason to give preschoolers for prayer is this:  “God loves you and wants you to pray and trust Him so that He can show you His love and help you have a great life.”  Kids also need to know that they can pray anytime, because God is always there for them.

Share family prayer requests with your kids.

Of course, you need to screen the prayer requests that you choose to share, but praying for family members who are getting new jobs or a brother or sister can train children to think of others when they pray.

Make it easy.

Help your children understand that prayer is simply talking to God about what’s on their minds.  They don’t have to use special words or try to sound like a grown-up.  God wants simple, honest prayers from the heart.

It is so important that you start, at an early age, teaching your kids the importance of prayer.  The earlier they begin learning about prayer and it’s importance, the easier it is to make prayer a part of their lifestyle.

The Easter Egg Hunt at the Lake Cunningham Picnic Shelter was cancelled yesterday due to the weather.  We’ve rescheduled it for this Saturday, March 22 from 2:00 - 4:00 at the Lake Cunningham Picnic Shelter.  I can’t wait to see you there.  We’re going to have inflatable amusements, free hot dogs and soda, egg hunts, candy hunts, face painting and more !  Don’t miss it!

Here are directions to the picnic shelter:

From Hwy, 29 (Wade Hampton Blvd), take Hwy. 101 to McElhaney Road.  Turn right on McElhaney Rd, just past the Lake Cunningham Fire Department.  The Picnic Shelter is on the right.

Believe it or not, it’s coming again … Sunday!

 Here’s what we’re talking about with your preschooler Sunday … This week we’re in Matthew 21:1-16.  We’re explaining to the children that everyone can praise Jesus.  As Jesus came into Jerusalem, the people sang and celebrated him.  People knew who Jesus was and knew that He was worthy of praise.  Sometime after Sunday, listen to some upbeat praise music with your preschooler.  Let her march in a parade around the house using pots and pans or musical instruments she has and sing songs about God.  Talk to your preschooler about how Jesus loves to hear us thank Him and praise Him.  It is so vitally important that preschoolers learn, at an early age, how to praise God.  Begin teaching that truth now, and it will make a difference later.

Our elementary kids are in Luke 22:39 - 23:25.  We are focusing on the arrest and trial of Jesus.  I have talked with the elementary teachers about my goal to create a dismal, dark atmosphere this week.  I really want the kids to not only hear about Jesus’ trial and arrest, I want them to experience it.  They will experience the dark reality of the day Jesus died this week during KidKraze.  Next week though, it’ll be time to celebrate!  Continue to reinforce to your child that, when we are afraid, we have to remember to STOP, DROP, and ROLL!  We STOP what we’re doing, DROP to our knees and pray, and then ROLL on!  That phrase — STOP, DROP, and ROLL could truly make a difference in your child forever — but you have to reinforce it all month long.

 That’s it for this week!  I’ll see you Saturday for our Easter Egg Hunt at Lake Cunningham from 2:00 - 4:00!

Here’s what’s happening tonight at UpStuf…

Sam is excited about the Annual School Skate Night coming up.  She really wants Todd to come along.  Todd really wants to go too.  There’s only one problem … Todd can’t skate.  Todd has to face the reality that he can’t skate.  He’s afraid though … afraid that other people will find out the truth.  They’re looking forward to him being at Skate Night.  If he goes to Skate Night and can’t skate, everyone’s going to know the truth.  Find out what happens tonight at UpStuf.

Tonight, we’re focusing on the truth that God is bigger than our biggest problem.  Kids are going to learn that, whatever their biggest problem may be right now, God is bigger!  When we face obstacles and circumstances that seem too big for us, we can know that God can solve those problems because He is so much bigger!

On the ride home tonight, talk to your child about a problem you have now or had when you were a kid.  Talk about how God brought you out of that problem.  Open up the dialogue for your child to talk about her biggest problem.  Help your child understand, on her level, how God is so much bigger than her problem!  Don’t forget to be looking for your child to show courage this month.  When he does, award him with a Badge of Courage (you can pick one up at UpStuf tonight)!  This is a great way to encourage your child to be courageous and to let him know that you see the times when he is courageous to stand up for what’s right even when he’s afraid!

I can’t wait to see you tonight for UpStuf Week Two!