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Sunday, August 28 we celebrated Rally Day where we all came back from our summer vacations, moved up to the new grade levels in the Sunday School and Bible classes and got all excited about the new year of study in God’s Word. Last year’s sixth graders “jumped” from Children’s Ministry into the world of Youth Ministry. Songs, Bible story and special treats were enjoyed while registrations were filled out and pictures were taken.
Our emphasis this year is to “Fish For Christ”. We “fish” or tell others about Jesus and invite them to church and Sunday School to worship and learn more about Jesus, who loves us so much! (Jesus makes us fishers of men, as we see in Matthew 4:19.) Those on the Children’s Ministry TEAM were installed in the 10:45 am worship service as dedicated servants of the Lord. We are so very appreciative of their servant hearts and love for their Savior. We are READY, SET, GO!
Sunday, September 26, Saint John’s will honor Christian Education Sunday. We will acknowledge and give thanks to God for all the faith growth experiences He gives us through the Christian Education programs of our church. We will dive even deeper into His very Words found in scripture through the various and many Christian Education opportunities right here at Saint John’s Lutheran Church. Open Arms Preschool will sing in the 8:00 am worship service that day, and the Sunday School children will sing in the 10:45 am worship service.
During the Bible Study Hour (9:30–10:30 am) there will be a “Fun For The Whole Family Hour” in the Large Fellowship Hall. This new All-Church Event will be memorable, uplifting, and fun for preschoolers through those one hundred and two years old! You will step into a guided journey that explores themes of temptation, grace and transformation—and get a sneak peek at movie clips from the upcoming Narnia movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. This action-packed event also has fun songs to sing and you will enjoy some hilarious and engaging drama. But most important of all, you will take with you an essential message—Jesus’ Love Changes Us. Hope to see you all there!
Kid’s Night Out—Bible Blast! is BACK! This month’s event will take place Wednesday, September 22. Pizza and pop will be served at 5:30 pm, games begin at 5:45 pm and the video program begins at 6:00 pm. Parents pick up their children at 7:00 pm. The KiDMo! theme is “A.I.M.”—Agents In Motion. In the Blanket Fort, LiL’K will love this year’s theme of “BIG”—even though they are small, they can do big things with God’s help! This event is for those in preschool through sixth grade. Let me know if you are interested in volunteering for this awesome ministry!
A great big thank you to Fran Roth for helping with the painting of the Sunday School hallway. What a dedicated servant full of joy as she helped us create a welcoming and happy environment for the young ones of the church!
Here, once again, is a little excerpt from the book titled: Parenting In the Pew, by Robbie Castleman for your continued inspiration and special encouragement.
Gradually I learned important lessons about worship. When I struggled in church, it was not the place or the pew that was the source of my distress. A bulletin was not the reason for the dryness of my soul. I had been spiritually thirsty because I had not understood the purpose of worship.
Worship is for God’s glory, not my benefit! Although it was a good lesson, it was not an easy one to learn. I had to ask myself, did I truly love God just for Himself? I began to learn that I didn’t love God as He deserved. I did love what He had done for me. I loved God so I could feel better. I had loved God easily when the snow sparkled on the ski trail…I had to admit that I loved God when He satisfied my desires.
The question became, could I meet God’s desire for worship? The answer did not come quickly. It came in a Sunday-after-Sunday process. I had to practice. I had to re-think and re-train and repent. But I began to discover God’s desire for worship the very next Sunday…that Sunday I did not go to church; I went to worship. And week after week thereafter I worked to make the service a part of my heart’s offering to God.
Since then I have learned that worship begins in the heart of the believer, with or without a bulletin. With or without shoes. With or without music that suits my taste. With or without stained glass, pews or grass. And with or without children! For eventually I learned, too, that I could worship with children and teach them to worship with me.”
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