Saturday, January 31, 2009
What's Your Faith Story?
Please share how you came to know Christ and the difference He has made in your life. Click on "comments" below to share your story. Short or long - it doesn't matter!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Wow - Thank God for You!!!
Today was a CRAZY day... for me anyway! I was sure we would be low on kids because many of our grown ups were plagued with illness, but apparently it was an adult-only disease. We had PLENTY of children, and while I had a few crazy moments of running around trying to get everything squared away (I was good until Travis Bentley said "I'll teach, but you have to go make sure I'm covered for serving communion... what do I know about communion? :) ) over all it was a a great morning. I don't think the kids felt any craziness and only a few of you had to put up with mine.
Anyway, all of that to say this... we will occasionally have times like that. People are sick, kids are sick, things happen. That is life. I am SO thankful that crazy, under-staffed mornings are not the norm. I have many children's ministry friends who experience this type of morning every single Sunday.
I am very thankful for each of you who are so dependable and so dedicated to serving His kids. I am grateful for your leadership team who handles so many details that I don't have to think about. God reminded me again today how blessed I am to have them! Wow - there's a lot of you to keep up with. :) So, give your director an extra hug this week and know that I praise God for each and every one of you!!! Thank you for doing what we do.
Anyway, all of that to say this... we will occasionally have times like that. People are sick, kids are sick, things happen. That is life. I am SO thankful that crazy, under-staffed mornings are not the norm. I have many children's ministry friends who experience this type of morning every single Sunday.
I am very thankful for each of you who are so dependable and so dedicated to serving His kids. I am grateful for your leadership team who handles so many details that I don't have to think about. God reminded me again today how blessed I am to have them! Wow - there's a lot of you to keep up with. :) So, give your director an extra hug this week and know that I praise God for each and every one of you!!! Thank you for doing what we do.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Why We Do What We Do - Awesome Story
From Denise Prince...
I just wanted to take a moment to share what happened in Awana Wednesday night. I just have to share what God was doing in my life prior to the event. I have been doing a study on The Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore. I have made an effort to listen to praise music going to work and from work, instead of listening to the news in the morning. Wednesday morning, The song that just stood out to me was "Give me Jesus". In every situation and moment of our lives "Give me Jesus." I know how Jesus has drastically changed my life, and I want that for everyone. It was so impressed on my heart to lead someone to Jesus that day. I thought and wondered what opportunity God would give me. Well, it came at the end of the day. One of my dear students, who is new, came up to me to pass off the last section of the Start Zone. Praise the Lord for the last question. It was something like this: What does it mean to trust in Jesus? She proceeded to tell me to believe. At that time, I began to share the plan of salvation with her. She stated she had never come to a place in her life where she had placed her faith alone in Jesus and what He did for her on the cross. By this time there were several girls standing around. I didn't want her to feel pressured by the other girls, so we stepped next door. I asked her if she would like to invite Jesus into her life and place her faith alone in Him and what He did for her on the cross. She looked up at me and said "Oh Yes I would". What a blessing that God allows us to be a part of His Work. She sat there and invited Christ into her heart. I thought wow, God you always show up in such big ways, and thanks for using another young lady in the class to bring her to Awana so that she could hear Your word and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord.
I just wanted to take a moment to share what happened in Awana Wednesday night. I just have to share what God was doing in my life prior to the event. I have been doing a study on The Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore. I have made an effort to listen to praise music going to work and from work, instead of listening to the news in the morning. Wednesday morning, The song that just stood out to me was "Give me Jesus". In every situation and moment of our lives "Give me Jesus." I know how Jesus has drastically changed my life, and I want that for everyone. It was so impressed on my heart to lead someone to Jesus that day. I thought and wondered what opportunity God would give me. Well, it came at the end of the day. One of my dear students, who is new, came up to me to pass off the last section of the Start Zone. Praise the Lord for the last question. It was something like this: What does it mean to trust in Jesus? She proceeded to tell me to believe. At that time, I began to share the plan of salvation with her. She stated she had never come to a place in her life where she had placed her faith alone in Jesus and what He did for her on the cross. By this time there were several girls standing around. I didn't want her to feel pressured by the other girls, so we stepped next door. I asked her if she would like to invite Jesus into her life and place her faith alone in Him and what He did for her on the cross. She looked up at me and said "Oh Yes I would". What a blessing that God allows us to be a part of His Work. She sat there and invited Christ into her heart. I thought wow, God you always show up in such big ways, and thanks for using another young lady in the class to bring her to Awana so that she could hear Your word and come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord.
Monday, January 19, 2009
More info about switching to computerized check-in...
Steve asked some great questions in the comments in the post below. I wanted to answer it here so that no one missed it.
1. "is there going to be enough computers for everyone to check in at?"
We are kicking off with with four computers located in the same area where the nametags are now. We will have one additional computer down by the Celebration room. I feel this will be a good start, especially when you take into consideration that many families will check their preschoolers and elementary kids in at a preschool station. According to our records, only 100 families have only elementary kids, so divide that between 3 hours and 5 computers, unless they all get there at the same time, I think we will be good. As soon as we see it is not enough or we are outgrowing it we will expand.
2. "How are visitors going to check in?"
Visitors will go to the children's information desk just like they do now. That desk team will be trained to print them a special one time label. This will be separate from where everyone else checks in. The good news is that our desk team will be able to focus solely on new visitors and registrations for events. Right now alot of their time is taken up by making temporary tags for our members who have lost their tags!
3. "Also it would be helpful to have some of the children's ministry team to offer to man a particular computer"
The part that I'm most excited about in this whole process is that along with introducing the computers, we are introducing a whole new Children's Guest Services team. We have already recruited people who will serve as greeters (saying hi and escorting families to classes) and computer station attendants (who will help parents when they get confused about what to click). I'm thrilled that we have recruited a whole new batch of volunteers who are mostly new to our world!
4. "What will we do not if but when a child chews up their stick on name tag?"
We have done nutritional analysis and determined that the stick on tags have a higher amount of minerals and vitamins that are beneficial for elementary students than the old clip on tags had. We will in fact encourage hungry kids to eat their tags.
You do know I'm kidding, right? :) :) :)
Steve - thanks for helping us continue to make everything more clear. The more we as a team know ahead of time, the better we can prep and encourage parents. Anyone else... thoughts, questions, concerns?
1. "is there going to be enough computers for everyone to check in at?"
We are kicking off with with four computers located in the same area where the nametags are now. We will have one additional computer down by the Celebration room. I feel this will be a good start, especially when you take into consideration that many families will check their preschoolers and elementary kids in at a preschool station. According to our records, only 100 families have only elementary kids, so divide that between 3 hours and 5 computers, unless they all get there at the same time, I think we will be good. As soon as we see it is not enough or we are outgrowing it we will expand.
2. "How are visitors going to check in?"
Visitors will go to the children's information desk just like they do now. That desk team will be trained to print them a special one time label. This will be separate from where everyone else checks in. The good news is that our desk team will be able to focus solely on new visitors and registrations for events. Right now alot of their time is taken up by making temporary tags for our members who have lost their tags!
3. "Also it would be helpful to have some of the children's ministry team to offer to man a particular computer"
The part that I'm most excited about in this whole process is that along with introducing the computers, we are introducing a whole new Children's Guest Services team. We have already recruited people who will serve as greeters (saying hi and escorting families to classes) and computer station attendants (who will help parents when they get confused about what to click). I'm thrilled that we have recruited a whole new batch of volunteers who are mostly new to our world!
4. "What will we do not if but when a child chews up their stick on name tag?"
We have done nutritional analysis and determined that the stick on tags have a higher amount of minerals and vitamins that are beneficial for elementary students than the old clip on tags had. We will in fact encourage hungry kids to eat their tags.
You do know I'm kidding, right? :) :) :)
Steve - thanks for helping us continue to make everything more clear. The more we as a team know ahead of time, the better we can prep and encourage parents. Anyone else... thoughts, questions, concerns?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
The Safest and Happiest Place...
We want the Kid Zone to be the safest and happiest place that parents take their kids all week. What does that look like to you?
Please click on the comments below and leave your thoughts.
Please click on the comments below and leave your thoughts.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Time for verse #2!
Can you believe it is already January 15?! It is time to post our second verses. Even if you didn't do it the first time, please jump on in!
Here is mine:
"He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." John 7:18
I don't want to speak on my own! I want everything I do and everything I say to be for His honor!
What's your verse?
Here is mine:
"He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." John 7:18
I don't want to speak on my own! I want everything I do and everything I say to be for His honor!
What's your verse?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
First Steps for Kids
We had a great night with 9 kiddos and their parents hanging out with us for First Steps. It is so great to see their excitement about baptism. I had the privilege of talking with one friend tonight about baptism and setting appointments with two others. God is so good.
A big thank you to Rick, Terri (and usually John), and Suzy for being so faithful to this ministry. This is a crucial part of our commitment to making sure kids really understand the decision they make.
A big thank you to Rick, Terri (and usually John), and Suzy for being so faithful to this ministry. This is a crucial part of our commitment to making sure kids really understand the decision they make.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Choosing a Verse
I know many of you are still contemplating which verse you want to memorize or you've picked one but you're being shy to put your name out there. :)
First, let me say if you are already memorizing for Top Gun, your small group, or another Bible Study, that counts! :) Just sign up with the verse you are learning for that group.
Second, anyone can do this! You can pick the verse "Jesus wept" if you want to... let's just work together on getting God's Word into our hearts and minds. It is not too late to comment on the post below to join in.
Third, here are some resources if you need some help finding verses you want to learn:
- Consider learning the same verse as the Journey kids or something your kids are working on in Awana.
- This site has a lot of familiar verses listed: www.scripturememory.org
- If there is a topic you are really struggling with or need to be grounded in truth about, go to biblegateway.com and type in a search for that word (i.e., anger, grace, forgiveness, lonely, fear) and allow God to show you a verse that speaks to you.
I really want "lots of many" (as Kaylie would say) of our team members to get on board with this. It will be an awesome way to grow together.
First, let me say if you are already memorizing for Top Gun, your small group, or another Bible Study, that counts! :) Just sign up with the verse you are learning for that group.
Second, anyone can do this! You can pick the verse "Jesus wept" if you want to... let's just work together on getting God's Word into our hearts and minds. It is not too late to comment on the post below to join in.
Third, here are some resources if you need some help finding verses you want to learn:
- Consider learning the same verse as the Journey kids or something your kids are working on in Awana.
- This site has a lot of familiar verses listed: www.scripturememory.org
- If there is a topic you are really struggling with or need to be grounded in truth about, go to biblegateway.com and type in a search for that word (i.e., anger, grace, forgiveness, lonely, fear) and allow God to show you a verse that speaks to you.
I really want "lots of many" (as Kaylie would say) of our team members to get on board with this. It will be an awesome way to grow together.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Connect With God - Make it Personal: A New Year Challenge
First, let me confess that I totally stole this from Beth Moore's blog. But, I think it is an incredible idea and fits well with the vision God has given Les for Westwood for 2009.
This year you will hear the phrase "Connect with God - Make it Personal" around WWBC. God has laid it on Les's heart that Westwood will focus this year on each of us developing a deeper, personal relationship with Christ.
So, this is something I personally am going to do to deepen my walk with Christ and I want as many of you as will to partner with me. Here is what I want you to do:
1. Commit to learn 2 Scriptures a month. Just 2! I strongly encourage you to memorize them, but at least commit to seriously meditate (read frequently, think about, pray about, reflect on) on them.
2. Get a small notebook or a spiral bound set of notecards to begin recording your verses in. Keep this with you at all times so that you can constantly study/meditate on your Scripture.
3. Choose a Scripture to learn. I will not tell you what to learn, but will share with you what I am learning. It is much more personal when we allow God to show us what we need to meditate on. You are always welcome to use mine or someone else's that you see posted... whatever God leads you to do!
4. At the bottom of the post, click on the word "comments". Add your name and the verse that you are going to learn this first time around. This does two things: 1) it is an encouragement to our entire team and 2) it keeps us accountable. I will ask you to post each month on the 1st and 15th what your new verse is.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I am looking forward to all that God is going to do through us learning His Word this year! Now, go comment below and sign up!
This year you will hear the phrase "Connect with God - Make it Personal" around WWBC. God has laid it on Les's heart that Westwood will focus this year on each of us developing a deeper, personal relationship with Christ.
So, this is something I personally am going to do to deepen my walk with Christ and I want as many of you as will to partner with me. Here is what I want you to do:
1. Commit to learn 2 Scriptures a month. Just 2! I strongly encourage you to memorize them, but at least commit to seriously meditate (read frequently, think about, pray about, reflect on) on them.
2. Get a small notebook or a spiral bound set of notecards to begin recording your verses in. Keep this with you at all times so that you can constantly study/meditate on your Scripture.
3. Choose a Scripture to learn. I will not tell you what to learn, but will share with you what I am learning. It is much more personal when we allow God to show us what we need to meditate on. You are always welcome to use mine or someone else's that you see posted... whatever God leads you to do!
4. At the bottom of the post, click on the word "comments". Add your name and the verse that you are going to learn this first time around. This does two things: 1) it is an encouragement to our entire team and 2) it keeps us accountable. I will ask you to post each month on the 1st and 15th what your new verse is.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me. I am looking forward to all that God is going to do through us learning His Word this year! Now, go comment below and sign up!
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