It's Almost Christmas!

Family Traditions are a healthy part of a kid's development.  They bind the family members together.  They help kids feel a part of something bigger than themselves.  They teach children how to celebrate, encourage, and mark special events.  They are memories that will last a lifetime and be shared in their own families when they grow up.  Family Traditions are important.

Christmas is a wonderful and easy time to incorporate family traditions.  If you haven't started any in your family, I hope you will this year.  Here are a few that Mark and I had with our kids. 

• Reading the story of Jesus' birth - multiple times; from the Bible and from other books.  (If your child needs a Bible - we sell some in both PeeWeeVille and Creek Kids.  They make great Christmas presents!)
• Having a nativity that the children could "play with"
• Adopting a family to be generous with
• When we opened gifts on Christmas Eve, it was done from a giving perspective.  Each child took a turn giving the gifts they purchased to each member of the family - those gifts were opened one at a time; then the next child was the giver.
• We served at church on Christmas Eve - usually in the same area; and we all sat together in another service on Christmas Eve
• The kids all received new pajamas on Christmas Eve

There are many different traditions.  Please share some that your family practices each year.

New - Fresh Starts

New lunch boxes............new clothes...........new books..............new friends.............new teachers..........new schedules...........this is the season for Fresh Starts.  And PeeWee/Creek Kids Minstries are no different.  Here is what is fresh and new in PeeWeeVille and Creek Kids.

PeeWee School
We started September 4.  We have 84 students!  We are starting off with a Rodeo/Cowboy theme.  Our first event is a picnic on September 27.

PeeWeeVille
We are inviting all parents of 3 Year Olds to come and attend church with your PeeWee on September 23.  Choose a service time that day and stay and worship with your PeeWee.  You can catch the Adult Service online later.

Creek Kids
Sunday - September 9 - we began a new structure in Creek Kids.

• Kindergarten-3rd Grade - We have a special service for K-3rd that includes singing, Bible stories, games, art, activities, Bible skills, and much more
• 4th-5th Grade - We now have a special service for 4th/5th Graders - a PreTeen Service.  They have Large Group time and Small Group time to discuss the lesson for the day.

September 9th was a great success with the new structure.  We are excited about continuing it and getting better each week.  Ask your child how they enjoyed the day!

 

 

We are excited about our Fresh Start this Fall Season!

We hope you will join us!

Highlights of the Summer

We have had a wonderful summer in PeeWeeVille and Creek Kids!  We have studied the Armor of God on Sunday mornings. We are learning how to stand firm with God's help - the many pieces of armor He has provided for believers.

We went to Creek Kids Camp!  What a glorious time for our 4th and 5th Graders!  We took 109 Creek Kids................and 22 accepted Christ's Gift of Forgiveness and Grace!  We look forward to watching these kids grow in their faith and even follow Christ in baptism.  Like I said it was fabulous and fun! 

Sunday - August 12 - all parents of 4 year olds - are invited to come to PeeWeeVille for an intire service, to watch what your children experience each week and worship with us.  Just choose your normal service time and instead of dropping off your 4 year old - stay and play!  You can catch up with the Adult service online next week.

Wednesday - August 15 - Creek Kids and their families are invited to play at the Wave Pool with us!  Details will come home this Sunday.  Basically - 8:30-10:30pm - pizza - lots of water and waves!

Thank you for allowing us to spend time with your child.  We are blessed by that time each week.  Thanks for letting us be a part of your child's growth.  Thanks for sharing them!

I hope you have a great August as you finish up Summer and get ready for the Fall.  I also hope that as you begin making your Fall Schedule you will continue to make Growing in Christ and coming to church priorities for your family.

Celebrate the Hero of Easter with your family

This weekend is Easter Weekend. Have you chosen a

• Service to attend? We have 8 total at 3 different campuses.
• Outfit to wear? It is Easter you know!
• Eggs to dye?

Don't forget the most important thing to think about and decide...............who is your hero? Did you know you need one?

The Bible tells us that

• we all sin - Romans 3:23
• we all deserve punishment - Romans 6:23
• Christ died in our place - Romans 5

Jesus is the ultimate hero...........He died for us...........while we were unworthy.

Easter is a time to celebrate His rescue of us - His sacrifice - His love - God's plan. Celebrate that this week. Celebrate that with your children this week, don't just get caught up in the "Easter Stuff" ..........teach your children about Jesus and His sacrifice. Celebrate a God who has a plan for us even though we are so undeserving.

Love People and Use Things

I'm reading Managing God's Money, by Randy Alcorn. He writes a chapter about materialism. Randy says, "God created us to love people and use things, but materialists love things and use people."

Materialism is the norm in our society. When we aren't materialistic we are counter cultural if you will. But if what Randy Alcorn says is true, then what an amazing message we could send to our society. We could love them............love them more than stuff.............love them like Jesus loves them. We would be different - but we would actually attract people and draw them to God. We would also be living the way we were created to live.

Randy Alcorn has another chapter of his book where he talks about getting the materialism out of our families. He has some good ideas...........but I'm interested in yours. How do you fight materialism in your family? How do you love people and use things?