"A great place to raise your kids"
Several years ago, well before my arrival on the scene, this congregation made an intentional decision to invest in ministry with children and youth. The commitment was to be "a great place to raise your kids" and over the years, we have continued that commitment. From our excellent Vacation Bible School to our Parents' Day Out, from every Sunday morning's excellence in Sunday School with dedicated staff and volunteers to our booming ministry with students and youth, we want to be known as a church that cares about kids and their families. I just talked to one of our new members yesterday who said the reason they are here is because of the program for their children. We want to be known as a great place to raise kids.
One of the real strengths of our ministry with children and youth is our graded choir program. Under Chris Hall's leadership this program has grown across the years and now Casey Prouch is moving it forward, planning even more opportunities for kids in our music ministry in the fall. But no event is more transformative than our annual choir camp. I can't tell you how many parents have told me that for their kids, it is the highpoint of the summer. This week over 100 children, youth and adults will be spending the week at Camp Lael once again. I hope you will pray for them each day, believing that God will use this week to bless their lives and nurture them in the faith.
Next Sunday, our 10:00am worship service will be a full celebration of the choir camp week with camp songs, stories and leadership from our children and youth. Bring your smores and spirits for a wonderful hour celebrating our ministry with kids through music. At 8:30am we will share our regular monthly communion service and I will preach the next sermon in our series from Ephesians on "That Troublesome Threesome" from Ephesians chapter 5. A warning--if you hadn't guessed, I don't believe in the "submission" of wives or slaves, and I will try to interpret what St. Paul has to say about the relationship with children. All I know for sure is that this church is determined to be 'a great place to raise your kids".
Still a camper at heart,
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