The other day something novel happened. My wife, three daughters and I sat down together for dinner. It had been a long time since it was just the five of us. As I looked around the table, I saw a 10-year-old, 7-year-old, and 4-year-old. I recalled how I was always reminding them to chew with mouths closed, sit up to the table, and eat with their fork and not their hands. I heard the giggles of three little girls and the stories of a day at school. My wife would quiet a petty fight while she encouraged the youngest to eat her vegetables. It was a long time ago, but as I sat at that table with four beautiful women, for a moment I was back in time.
 
I have never been considered to be an overly emotional guy, but as I write this there is a lump in my throat. I ponder those memories I cherish and opportunities I missed. My dad told me the time would fly by, but when they failed to clean their room or kept making noise when I was studying, I wondered if they would ever grow up; if they would ever move out. They did both.  
 
Following our Easter celebrations, I am going to be speaking on the family. Family is more than a legal or blood connection. It's about a place where we are embraced and accepted--even when we mess up. It's about moms and wives who are cherished and esteemed. It's about dads and husbands who are spiritual examples and, so, find respect. It's about grandparents who are honored and listened to. It's about children who feel safe and loved.
 
In Psalm 127:3, David writes, "Children are a blessing and a gift from the LORD." Along the way, sometimes I forgot that. But as I sat around that table, I said a prayer of thanks for the food, for my family and for a moment, all was right in the world. 
 

 

Three years ago, at the wedding of our granddaughter, my wife Lee and I were privileged to have all our children and their children together. That in itself is a miracle since our three sons live in three different states.
 
Lee and I called a family meeting with our sons, their wives and their children. The purpose of the meeting was to assure them of our continued love for them and our prayerful support for them to experience God's great will for their lives.
 
While my wife and I never tried to tell our married sons or our beautiful daughters-in-law how to live, how to raise their children, or how to succeed in life.  We did tell them at this meeting that as long as we were alive and well that I would always be the Patriarch, and my wife the Matriarch of the Grecco family; that we only had the right to pray God's will for their lives, and that we took that duty and privilege very seriously.
 
After a long discussion on the biblical practice of parents passing blessings on down to their children, we bowed our heads and I prayed for them the blessing that is most important to me!!  That is God's Great will for their lives.
 
Since our eyes were closed, I did not see our oldest son, Dave, get up and step behind me. When I finished praying, he put his arms around me from behind and began to pray and thank God for what he saw growing up from a child to manhood.
 
His prayer was a prayer of thanks for what he felt were two parents who were faithful to God first and their family second. His prayer broke all of us, especially me.
           
Family is everything. Don 't ever give up your rights as the Patriarch or Matriarch to pray for your children, no matter where they are or what spiritual condition they may be in, because God always sees and answers the prayers of those who love Him.
 
Family is everything. Just ask God. He'll tell you.

 

 

It opens the door for you to share your faith with your kids. Most Christian kids hear more about Christ from their pastors and youth group leaders than they do from their parents. But, they trust you the most. That is why, when you sit down and share your heart with your kids, it really brings God's Word home (pun intended).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Do your kids have a favorite meal or restaurant? Do they like ice cream or fruit smoothies? Reserve these special treats for Family Bible night, and make it a tradition to go there afterwards and discuss what you've learned.

* Turn your Bible time into a pajama party. Have everyone run and change into their PJs before you get started. Then, pop popcorn and enjoy your time together.

* If you have older kids, have them lead the lessons. Let them pick Scriptures they want to talk about, and come up with fun ways to share it with the family.

The possibilities are as endless as your imagination. Sit down with your family and ask your kids what kinds of things they would like to do.

 

The Financial and Elder Board of Zion set a weekly budget for this fiscal year 2009-2010 of $10,600.  During the month of February, we averaged $8,692 per week.  $8,692 is an average of $28.55 per adult that is here on Sunday morning.  With God's continued enablement and your faithfulness, we pray God's blessing on you so that we will reach our weekly need of $10,600.

 

 

Connect Groups benefit families in more ways than you might realize. Typically, we think of groups that benefit families as those which welcome children. Flash Group and some of our Home Groups fit this category. Flash Group is comprised of families, large and small, who meet monthly for fun and adventure. Events have included a treasure hunt, camping trip, brown-bag lunches in the park, and dinner-and-movie nights at Zion. Another outlet for the entire family are select Home Groups, where adults can enjoy Bible study, prayer and relaxation while the kids enjoy playtime in an adjacent room.
 
But there are other, less obvious ways that Connect Groups can promote your family. In our fast-paced world, it is often difficult as adults to get away and nurture ourselves. However, when we do carve out time, we are refreshed and often do a better job at home. Interest Groups can help! Whether it's a round of golf (Fairways & Greens), a night out with the ladies for scrap-booking and card-making (Cut Ups), or a weekly workout session on Saturday mornings (Be Alive), you are sure to benefit by having some grown-up time and your family will, too!
 
Life Support Groups help families by offering support through life's challenges. An emotionally and spiritually healthy spouse or parent is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our family. All Connect Groups that meet on Tuesday nights, including Life Support Groups, have childcare available.
 
Growth Groups strengthen families by deepening our knowledge of scripture and its application to our lives. Not only do we get precious nuggets of truth that we can incorporate in our own lives, but we are able to share these treasures with our loved ones. These groups are currently offered on Sunday mornings with Children's church and nursery available during this time. Growth groups also offer a Spanish Bible Study on Tuesday mornings, and a traditional church service on Thursday mornings with Pastor Rudy.
 
Consider any of these as ways to positively impact your family.   Connect Groups are here for you and for your family, too!
 
For more information on all Connect Groups, check out our website at www.ziononline.com, or pick up a Connect Group Brochure 'in the lobby today'.

We will not be meeting for Bible studies for the month of April.

 

Our next luncheon will be April 29th.

 

Annual Business Meeting