Its Time for Upward Basketball |
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Message from Pastor Al: Finding a Home for Faith We know from research that parents are the most influential people in children’s lives. It is absolutely essential that we equip, train, and practice with parent talking about the faith at home. Mary and Joseph at Bethlehem made us a place for a new home. Home is where God’s love becomes real for us. Jesus begins that love in a very new way for us by being born in our hearts during the Christmas season. But this loves goes on every day of our lives and we need to PARTICPATE IN it. We do that by listening to one another in our families. We do that by having conversations about God and His great love. And we make our home a place of love by unconditionally loving and accepting one another. There is no gift that is as important to us as that of unconditional love. It makes our home be a safe and life-giving place. It moves us to be in touch with something beyond us called God. It keeps our life centered. It offers us possibilities as a family that we never even dream could happen. So make your home a place of love with the presence of God at all times. Have conversations, listen to one another, and love each other unconditionally. God loves you and so do I, Pastor Al
Yes, Youth Groups Return! I know, we finally get youth MS and HS youth groups back just as you’re starting basketball and snowboarding! UGH! Well, never fear ~ we’re working around YOUR schedule for you, ‘cuzYOU matter to God and to us!
~ Beginning Sunday, January 11th come back to youth groups! ~
Middle Schoolers Sundays 4-5:30 MS Youth Group and 5:30-6 pm Dinner Socials, fellowship and after school dates to come!
High Schoolers Sundays 4-5:30 ~ Alternating weeks with Confirmation Class and Youth Advisory Team 5:30-6 pm Dinner and 6-7:30 HS Youth Group Hang time, fellowship, socials, mentoring and more to come!
PARENTS & HELPERS ~ WE NEED YOUR HANDS & HEARTS & SKILLS & PASSION & ENERGY & LEADERSHIP TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN! Step out of your comfort zone and jump in. Come make a difference in the life of a young person! PLEASE CALL LYNN TO GET THE SCOOP OF THE “WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN & HOW” YOU CAN HELP LEAD THESE KIDS TO JESUS – YUP, THAT’S THE “WHY”! |
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Children & Youth Happenings Little Lambs Christian Preschool–Resumes Jan 5
Sunday School (approx 10:30am) – beg Jan 11 · Age 3 Mrs. Katie Carr · Age 4-5 Mrs. Cindy Zabriskie · Grades 1-2 Mrs. Maggie Valiante & Mrs. Cathy Blount · Grades 3-5 Mrs. Nancy Schneider · Grades 6-8 Pastor Al Schoonover
Middle School - beginning Jan 11 · Sundays 4-5:30 MS Youth Group · Sundays 5:30-6 MS/HS Dinner · Stay tuned for after school & fellowship dates! High School - beginning Jan 11 · Alternating Sundays 4-5:30 - Youth Advisory Team / Confirmation Class · Sundays 5:30-6 MS/HS Dinner · Sundays 6-7:30 · Hang time & fellowship dates coming soon!
Wednesday Night Live - resumes Jan 7 · K-2 and 3-5 after school program (call Marie to arrange transportation directly from schools!) 3-5:30 · Family Class - learning the skills to pass on the faith — children & parents & ALL welcome 5:30-6:15 · Book of Mark adult study-Pastor Paul 5:30-6:15 · Family Dinner with caring conversations 6:15-7 |
God Sightings in Children Youth & Family ‘Gather, Grow and Go’-ings: Little Lambs Christmas Celebration~ Can you name who gazed into baby Jesus’ eyes so lovingly, who ran to mom, and who sang “There was a Little Baby, Oh my Lord”?? OH, THIS IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT!! Thank you, awesome Little Lambs Teachers, Jennifer Euart, Melissa Cramer, Paula Crisp, Colleen Shanafelt, Kim Cho & Marie Mason, our amazing volunteer helpers & Costume Makers Cathy Blount, Brandi Bybee, Ginny Smith, Katie Carr, Tina Korpi, Janie Massie, Robyn Raymond &Heidi Huseby, Courtney Poinsett the Tech Guru, and of course our 41 precious Little Lambs! The Christmas Story~ cross + generational interactive carols ~ Remember Mary coming in on the donkey, baby Jesus crying, the church family singing joyful praises together, the shepherds following the yonder star down the aisle, the wise men decked out with gifts, the angels dancing to hark the Herald Angels sing, and the invitation to come INTO the story and participate?? Our Directors Amanda Pinkerton & Grace Pike put together a superb reminder of the reason for the season in such a traditional interactive performance ~ THANK YOU! Gratitude also to Courtney Poinsett and Ned Pinkerton (Tech), Cayla & Lauren Sherwood (Set) and the 60+angels & shepherds & animals of every color, shape, size and family type! It was truly a gift to see such a collaboration working toward Passing on the Faith generation to generation! Sharing Advent Traditions ~ Did you take of few of the traditions people shared and implement them into your life? Did you learn the meaning of the candles and place the words on your lips for your home? Thank you Sandra & Jeff Zender; Mitch, Angela, Ian & Blake Lewis; Ken, Cathy, Ben & Emma Blount; Ralph & Meta Sternberg; Therese & Luke Metherell; Jim, Zoe & Gracie Curran and Ponteir Sackrey for sharing your Advent traditions for all generations! Passing on the Faith indeed!
Grace Notes Chimers ~ Setting the tone for the Christmas Eve service with passion and grace! Heartfelt praise for Director Grace Pike and our awesome Chimers Robyn Jones, Justine Logan, Cayla Sherwood, Kelly & Rachel Tucker and Courtney Poinsett, Evelyn Hernandez, Savannah Poinsett & Hannah Walters!
The Living Nativity ~ Bringing the original story to today’s world in traditional spirit – one of the four keys to Passing on the Faith! Who were those High Schoolers under that mime make-up? Thanks, Marie Mason, for bringing to life this tradition from your youth in this place! Jane Lavino for costumes, and Dy (oooopps – I almost told you who was under a costume! Ugh! …Come be a mentor and make friends with a high schooler to find out! :^) Greening of the church ~ remember stringing popcorn & cranberry chains for the first time, hand-making log ornaments & advent wreaths, chain link ornaments strewn from one end of the fellowship hall to the other, the middle school/high school Zachariah skit, the gorgeous tree and nativity scenes ~and no Wednesday Night Live would be complete without the dedicated Kitchen Crew ~ Thank you worship team for coordinating this special night! We’ve had the pleasure also of teaching between 32 and 51 students each Sunday, 3 years old through 8th grade in Sunday School this month, as well! SO many thanks to our teachers following Christ’s example to teach in love: Katie & Rob Carr, Paula Crisp, Katie White, Cindy & Scott Zabriskie, Nancy Schneider, Todd Seeton, Sandra & Jeff Zender and Maggie Valiante, and for parents who believe in the importance of this mission and have committed to growing your children in God’s word! GOD IS IN THIS PLACE & HE IS BRINGING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO HIM! AMEN!! THANK YOU, KITCHEN CREW! With love and gratitude, The Individuals & Families you serve each week :^) |
God Sightings in Children Youth & Family ‘Gather, Grow and Go’-ings: Little Lambs Christmas Celebration~ Can you name who lifted her skirt, who picked his nose, who ran to mom, and who sang “There was a Little Baby, Oh my Lord”?? OH, TOO CUTE!!! Thank you, awesome Little Lambs Teachers, Jennifer Euart, Melissa Cramer, Paula Crisp, Colleen Shanafelt, Kim Cho & Marie Mason, our amazing volunteer helpers & Costume Makers Cathy Blount, Brandi Bybee, Ginny Smith, Katie Carr, Tina Korpi, Janie Massie, Robyn Raymond &Heidi Huseby, Courtney Poinsett the Tech Guru, and of course our 41 precious Little Lambs! The Christmas Story~ cross + generational interactive carols ~ Remember Mary coming in on the donkey, the families of all types singing joyful praises together, the shepherds following the yonder star down the isle, the wise men all decked out in glitter, the angels dancing to hark the Herald Angels sing, and the invitation to come INTO the story, to participate?? Our Directors Amanda Pinkerton & Grace Pike put together a superb reminder of the reason for the season in such a traditional interactive performance ~ THANK YOU! Gratitude also to Courtney Poinsett and Ned Pinkerton (Tech), Cayla & Lauren Sherwood (Set) and the angels & shepherds & animals of every color, shape and size! It was truly a gift to see such a collaboration toward Passing on the Faith generation to generation!
Grace Notes Chimers ~ Setting the tone for the Christmas Eve service with passion and grace! Heartfelt praise for Director Grace Pike and our awesomeChimers Robyn Jones, Justine Logan, Cayla Sherwood, Kelly & Rachel Tucker and Courtney Poinsett, Evelyn Hernandez & Hannah Walters! The Living Nativity ~ Bringing the original story to today’s world in traditional spirit – one of the four keys to Passing on the Faith! Who were those High Schoolers under that mime make-up? Thanks, Marie Mason, for bringing to life this tradition from your youth in this place! Jane Lavino for costumes, and Dy (ooopps – I almost told you who was under a costume! Ugh! …Come be a mentor and make friends with a high schooler to find out! :^) We’ve had the pleasure also of teaching between 32 and 51 students each Sunday, 3 years old through 8th grade in Sunday School this month, as well! SO many thanks to our teachers following Christ’s example to teach in love: Katie & Rob Carr, Paula Crisp, Katie White, Cindy & Scott Zabriskie, Nancy Schneider and Todd Seeton, and for parents who believe in the importance of this mission and have committed to growing your children in God’s word! GOD IS IN THIS PLACE & HE’S BRINGING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO HIM! AMEN!! |
