|
|
 Best Gift Ever!
So the 1st day of February is also my oldest child's birthday. And while I have never received a request for a pony or a unicorn, this year's request has been building for a number of months. A dog. Now, we have a dog. And a cat. We also have two frogs that live upstairs somewhere. But my oldest child wanted a dog of her own. Her very own pet. Now, I know that this is going to end up where I am feeding this dog and taking it outside and cleaning up after it and it will sleep on my side of the bed, but I know that this is a huge gift for her and a huge gift from me. Mainly because it is the only thing that she asked for and it is one of my few pet (no pun intended) peeves.
But it got me to thinking about gifts and the sacrifice that parents make to find THE GIFT for their child whom they love. As parents, we shop in the middle of the night, fight other parents, search multiple stores, get in bidding wars on EBay, and drive hundreds of miles to get our child the perfect gift. It made me stop and think about the sacrifice that God made for me and how I respond to his gift. I want my daughter to jump for joy and be speechless. I want to win "coolest person on the face of the earth". But it made me think of Jesus and am I speechless about him always? Do I worship him like is the most amazing gift? I know I need to. I know I want to. So this month, find joy in Jesus. Jump for joy at His name and everything that makes you think of him. Worship him like the perfect gift that He is. Oh...and dads...don't forget about Valentine's Day!
Under His mercy, Eric
|
|
PreK- Kindergarten
Lisa Keil - Director
 With Valentines Day right around the corner and Target advertising it since the day after Christmas, it's so easy to get caught up in the middle of it! But it's also a great reminder of how much we are loved by not only the people God has put in our lives but by Him.
To know that someone loves me more than I could ever imagine or understand can be kind of confusing but also really comforting at the same time. To know that no matter what you do His love will never change is a lesson that I want to learn from. I want to love like Christ loves me...with a love that is unfailing and unchanging.
Isaiah 54:10 talks about how God's love for us never changes...Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.
Psalm 36:5 -7
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
O LORD, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings." (NIV)
Know, Trust and Believe in God's love for you! Happy Valentines Day! :)
|
Planet 56 - 5th & 6th grade
Sandra Huskey - Director  As a parent I am constantly trying to determine what motivates my children. As a Sunday school teacher I try to monitor what motivates my Planet 56ers. Recently someone asked me the question, "What motivates you?" I said, "Happiness." I am constantly motivated by the pursuit of happiness. Am I always happy? Of course not! Am I happy most of the time? Absolutely. I am fortunate that part of my job requires me to read and study scripture. Many times I stumble across verses that speak directly to me. I have developed a habit of keeping lists of my favorite verses. I have several verses scattered around my desk and on my bulletin board. One verse that I have recently rediscovered is 1Thessalonians 5: 16 "Always be joyful." I was thrilled to realize that I am attempting to be exactly what God is asking of me! Recently at our True North Confirmation retreat we were discussing the question, "How do we really know what God wants from us?" Our discussion was concerning listening to the Holy Spirit. Our Confirmands are learning that the Holy Spirit is that voice that doesn't contradict Biblical teachings. It is that thought that repeats itself over and over to us. It is that feeling of inner peace that comes from doing what God wants us to do. The very next verse in 1Thessalonians is "Never stop praying." (5:17). I love how Biblically, praying and being happy, go together. Through our prayers we have access to the Holy Spirit and his divine guidance and inspiration for inner peace and happiness. I believe that God is pleased that I want to live a joyful life. I pray that the decisions I make will reflect on my desire to live the life that he wants for me. I pray that the decisions I make are in direct response to the Holy Spirit speaking to me. |
Employment Opportunities
Planet 56 Assistant Director Children's Ministry Seeking a part-time assistant who wants to teach, inspire and worship with the 5th and 6th graders of this church. Planet 56 is a busy Sunday school classroom with additional activities such as Bible studies, Friday Night Frenzies and summer Daycamp. If you are a committed Christian with Bible knowledge to teach and lead as needed for Sunday mornings and Bible studies and the ability to assist in planning and implementing special events, then please contact Sandra Huskey at 281/297-5976 or SHuskey@TWUMC.org for more information about this position. This job is part time with flexible work hours, except for required leadership during Sunday school, Bible studies and special activities
|
|
Elementary
Veronica Dillon - Director
Have you ever felt vulnerable or awkward? Maybe your first day at a new job; maybe you have relocated to a new town; or do you still remember your first week at a new school? That awkward feeling never quite goes away, it continues to creep up. This feeling is so familiar it might even be our friend - bad company. It is not welcomed, but yet always seems to show up unexpected. DOUBT is so powerful it consumes our thoughts. It can confuse us out of focus and influence our other friend the "quitter". But like other things we are try to change, the first step is to admit to it. Admitting our doubts often helps resolve them. Especially because our doubts remind us that our faith must grow and that we are relying too much on ourselves and not enough on God.
I absolutely love the way God shows up, unexpectedly. His power, peace, and joy overcome any circumstance. I have seen this many, many times in my life and yet my bad company is always close by. I can see that ugly little unwanted friend in many of our kiddos in GroZone. They start in class shy, quiet, uninterested, with a touch of absence. But before we know it, the unexpected happens, they grow spiritually. They stop listening and start doing. I am not sure why I am surprised by their change; their eagerness to share, praise, pray, and love. I see it at Sunday school, at camp, at VBS, and even around our schools. I give God all the honor and glory in this. He has blessed GroZone with amazing teachers, Amy and Emily, some amazing volunteers, and some young sidekicks that care so much about your kiddos. They care about their hearts; praying that they are filled with overflowing joy, love, peace, and in His word. And that is what true LOVE is all about - Happy Valentine's Day.
Give doubt a bit of it's own medicine and ignore it. Doesn't matter if you fit in or like it, what matters is that you go wherever He leads you. Get past the AWKWARD!
|
The Loft - Kids Church
Jill Albert - Director
When we truly see that He loves us right where we are it sparks a desire in us to worship. God lavishes His love and grace on us amidst our failure and brokenness. He isn't surprised when we fall, stumble, or mess up. He saw it the whole time and loved us the same. GOD LOVES YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE, JUST AS YOU ARE.
 | | How He Loves-David Crowder (w/ Matt Chandler & John Piper) |
|
Special Blessings Ministry
Lena Nel - Coordinator
Happy Valentine's Day from Special Blessings! What a great start to a blessed year.
Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the love of God with a friend...to remember it was God's love for us that prompted Him to give His only Son for us. In that spirit, let's give an Act of Random Kindness to a new person each day this month and make it the month of ARK.
This month also marks the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period of preparation before Easter. To help us prepare our hearts for Easter Morning, Special Blessings will be serving a different mission work each week throughout Lent. Keep your eyes open for an email explaining each weeks contribution supporting the various children's ministry mission tasks.
Special Champions Basketball begins February 25th, so jump on line and sign up for Saturday evening fun in the gym. Volunteers also needed, so you sports lovers come on out and join us.
Have a Blessed Month,
Lena Nel |
|
|
VBS Volunteers Wanted!
We are looking for great volunteers to join our VBS Team for Summer 2012. We are planning and preparing for VBS 2012 now and need YOUR help! Sign up Today for this fabulous opportunity! Early children's registration is available for ALL registered VBS volunteers.4 year olds (by Sept. 2012) - 2nd grade (school year 2012/2013)
VBS - "AMAZING WONDERS AVIATION"
July 30 - August 3 at the Main Building
9:00 - 12:00
3rd - 4th grade (school year 2012/2013)
VBS - "ZAPPED"
July 30 - August 3 at The Loft
9:15 - 12:15
Please choose the age level that you would like to help with:
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
CHAOS/ELEMENT BIBLE STUDY - 5TH AND 6TH GRADE
Sunday, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
January 29, February 12, 19, 26, March 4
Planet56
$2 per person for pizza (and bring your Bible too!)
Chaos/Element is a great fun Sunday-night Bible study for 5th and 6th grade boys and girls! no registration needed  Sweet & Sassy Party
Friday, February 17 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. $30.00 per person PreK - Kindergarten Girls join us at Sweet and Sassy for a fun girlie afternoon! Come get your hair, make-up and nails done and walk the run way! 
Girls Craft Mania Marathon 1st and 2nd grade
Friday, February 17
6:00 - 8:00 in Children's Activity Room
Girls get to hang out letting their creative juices flow with glitter, paint, beads, and sparkles too! Pizza and snacks will be provided for the Craft Mania Marathon fun!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
