What Will We Say?

"What will I tell my kids?" 

At just one day short of two weeks out from what has been called the most polarizing election in recent history, this question continues to ring in my ears and stir my heart.

I purposely, for my own sanity, let go of my ties to Facebook during the last weeks leading up to the election.  Since then, I’ve visited only a handful of times, and much like many of you, am saddened to see the arguments continuing. 

And again…that question…what do I tell my kids?  I’ve decided accepting the risk that my opinion on this topic may be less than palpable to all is worth saying what God has recently and gently reminded me. 

First, this question – ‘what do I tell my kids?’ is not a new one for parents.  In my life as a mom, I’ve had to explain 9/11, the death of two grandparents- one of which we’re unsure knew the Lord, human cloning, the decision of a father who left, and why Pluto is no longer a planet (not sure I get that one myself!).  

My parents had to explain things like Vietnam, Watergate, Patty Hearst, the Iranian Hostage Crisis, why there was no gas, and why Luke Skywalker mattered.

My parents’ parents had to explain World War, television, and why rock-n-roll was evil.

The point is, our need to explain a polarizing election and its outcome is no harder than anything our parents explained to us, or our grandparents explained to them.  Some discussions are harder than others but at least we’re having them.  Having them means we’re giving our kids tools to look at and respond to the world they live in. 

The hope is we’re giving them the right glasses to see that world. Will those glasses be ones of self? In other words, will we allow our kids to perceive the world in such a way that it’s all about how the events of this life affect them and them alone?  OR…will we give them glasses that are focused on a bigger picture…on a bigger purpose? 

As Christians we know God is in control.  This doesn’t mean we have no responsibility. In actuality, He gives us a great deal of responsibility. Responsibilities like loving others the way He loves us- even if we disagree with them. Responsibilities like respecting authority- even if we don’t always want to.  Responsibilities like putting Him and His Kingdom first- above any and ALL other agendas.

I’m not immune to explaining things to my kids- even though they are men at this point.  We agree and we disagree on many things, but there is one thing that unifies us…we recognize that God knows WAY more than we do. We may not always understand everything else, but that, we can be sure of.

So, what will we tell our kids? How about this…

God is the beginning. God is the end. God is in the messiness of this world. He is at work.  We can trust Him.  The rest is just stuff.  God wins.  Every.Single.Time.

Isaiah 46:8-11- Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.

When Your Fists are Clenched

When we think of our fists being clinched we naturally think of anger.  We imagine ourselves boiling over about something or someone and the clinching of fists being a natural result of that anger.  We may want to use those fists or the clenching may have more to do with trying to restrain ourselves. Either way, the emotion we imagine feeling in the moments our fists are clenched is anger.
What if our clenched fists have nothing to do with anger at all? What if we clench our fists- literally or figuratively- out of other emotions?  Like…love for example. 

When we love something or someone with everything in us, don’t we naturally want to hang on tight?  Our fists clench to cling to the object of our love out of a sense of protection or responsibility.  Think about a 2 year old not wanting to share his toy with a friend.  He will hang on for dear life to this thing he (at least for the next 2 minutes) loves with all of his heart.  It takes willpower to let go of something we love…it’s a sacrifice.

Yesterday I talked to the kids about sacrifice.  What a hard thing sacrifice is for kids…for all of us.  Sacrifice is hard.  It wouldn’t be sacrifice if it wasn’t.  In light of the fact that we are (almost) at the halfway mark of Lent, the idea of just how hard sacrifice can be was a relevant topic.  Sacrifice at its core meaning is releasing our clinched fists in order to open our hands to the Lord. 

Jesus teaches us to store up our treasures in heaven, not on earth.  He told a young rich ruler to sell all of his possessions in order to give money to the poor.  Jesus didn’t mean we couldn’t enjoy the good things of this life; after all, every good gift we have is from Him.  What He did say is that no treasure, nothing we love on this earth will last.  Only the things of God are eternal, so we should be willing to give up any and everything in order to find the things of God.  We should be willing to open our clenched fists that hold what we love; those things we – even on occasion- may make more important than Him. 

Sacrifice is not easy to grasp (no pun intended) in one Sunday, but we’ve made a start.  As we ended yesterday we prayed that our hands would be open to Him.  Specifically, we clenched our fists tightly, thinking of things we love so much we may- even accidently- put above God at times.  As we prayed, we slowly opened our hands, acknowledging that we’re willing to sacrifice those things in order to receive what really matters- Him. 

Clinched fists just may indicate love.  Open hands always will. 

This Week’s Announcements:
Help Needed: 
One of our very dedicated and wonderful small group leaders had to step down from his post on Sunday mornings because of a new work schedule.  If you’re the DAD of a 3rd-5th grade boy, we need YOU!  Please contact me to find out how you can help disciple this special group of boys. penny@stonebridgemarietta.org

Palm Sunday Singers:
As is tradition, some of our children will wave palms in the sanctuary on Palm Sunday.  Adding to that tradition this year, those children will also be helping lead one of the worship songs on this special day.    The qualifications to be a part of this group: regular attendee to PathFinders, 4k-5th grade, comfortable singing in front of a large group, able to attend two practices (date and time of practices TBD).  If you have a child who meets the requirements and would like to wave palms and sing one song on Sunday, March 20th, please sign up using one of the links below.  *Note the links are specific to one of the morning services.  (There will not be an official group singing at the 5pm service) The number of children doing this will be limited because of space. 
For the 9am service: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-palm
For the 11am service: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-palm2

Mom/Son Game Night:
Moms with boys, this is the night you’ve been waiting for!  It’s Mom/Son Game Night 2016!  Let your hair down and that hidden tom-boy come out - or at least show your competitive edge- as you enjoy a night of fun with your son.   Dress in your “play clothes” and come enjoy a crazy, slightly competitive, and full of surprises night with your little guy.  It’s all happening on Friday, March 18; 6:30-8:30pm in our 164 space. Moms of all ages, and boys aged 4 years old-5th grade may attend. Registration is required, and the cost is only $5 per family.  Follow the link below to register:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-momson
*Registration closes at NOON on Tuesday, March 15th*

What God is Teaching Us:
For 4k-5th Grade: Click the link below to see ROOTED lessons:
This link is no longer available
This week’s memory verse: Matthew 6:21 ~ “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What's Love Got to Do with It...?

Everything. 

Valentine’s Day has come and gone although the candy -or the effects of that candy- has not.  If you’re like me you still have piles of candy sitting around…staring at you to either eat it or throw it out. I personally will adhere to the latter of those choices.  (Not because, like many, I gave up sweets for Lent…I’d just rather spend my calories on other things)

Since candy…I mean, LOVE was naturally going to be on the minds of the kids, I decided it best to ride that wave.  That’s why yesterday’s focus was on being rooted in God’s love for us; specifically, His patient love for us.

There are so many verses in the Bible about the subject of love (more than a great deal of other topics) that narrowing down how to “tackle” love could have been a challenge; however, when we start with the basic Truth- “God is love”- it becomes a great deal easier.  God showed His love to us by sending His Son to die for our sins.  Take that in…SHOWED His love…not felt love…showed it.

God obviously feels love for us, but it’s His actionable love that makes it possible for us to know and accept the reality of that love.  This is why the parable of the prodigal son is used so often as a picture of God’s patient and forgiving love for us.  The father in the story sees the son and runs to meet him.  He doesn’t condemn him, he doesn’t make him beg for reconciliation, nor does he even speak of his son’s transgressions.  It is without many words a true picture of patient love; a love that is slow to anger and keeps no record of wrongs.  If we gain nothing else from this parable but the fact that once we move toward the Lord, He moves toward us, we’ve gained a great deal…a great, great deal.

This Week’s Announcements:
Help Needed: 
One of our very dedicated and wonderful small group leaders had to step down from his post on Sunday mornings because of a new work schedule.  If you’re the DAD of a 3rd-5th grade boy, we need YOU!  Please contact me to find out how you can help disciple this special group of boys. penny@stonebridgemarietta.org

Palm Sunday Singers:
As is tradition, some of our children will wave palms in the sanctuary on Palm Sunday.  Adding to that tradition this year, those children will also be helping lead one of the worship songs on this special day.    The qualifications to be a part of this group: regular attendee to PathFinders, 4k-5th grade, comfortable singing in front of a large group, able to attend two practices (date and time of practices TBD).  If you have a child who meets the requirements and would like to wave palms and sing one song on Sunday, March 20th, please sign up using one of the links below.  The number of children doing this will be limited because of space.  *Note the links are specific to one of the morning services.  (There will not be an official group singing at the 5pm service)

For the 9am service: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-palm
For the 11am service: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-palm2

Baptism Service:
On Sunday, March 13th we will offer believers Baptism during all of our Sunday services.  If your child has expressed interest in being baptized, please contact me. I will discuss this important decision with your child to determine if he/she is ready to participate in believer's Baptism. 

What God is Teaching Us:
For 4k-5th Grade: Click the link below to see ROOTED lessons.
This link is no longer available

This week’s memory verse: 1John 4:9 ~ “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

Funny Things Kids Say and Do…
To get the discussion about love going, the kids were asked to name one thing they love. I heard some great ones…everything from candy to the Clemson Tigers. The one that made me scratch my head… “I love licking my toes.” 

One child in 1st grade has questions about God. As she describes it, “LOTS of questions!”  After asking her small group leader a pretty deep theological question, to which the leader gave a great answer, the child was not fully satisfied.  So very seriously she asked, “Do you think Pastor David would have a better answer?” 

Leaving Your Fingerprints

Kids leave their fingerprints everywhere, don’t they?  The mirror in the hall, the glass sliding door, and the refrigerator front are all places little hands leave their mark.  And this is when their hands are clean.   Just think of all the places you find their evidence after they’ve eaten something sticky or cheesy!  The point is we all leave our fingerprints behind.  (My computer is picking up my prints with every key stroke I make)

When our prints- unique only to us- are left behind, it’s as if we’ve left a part of ourselves. As one of the outreach leaders pointed out on Sunday we leave a ‘mark’ like our fingerprints wherever we go.  Sometimes that mark is good and sometimes not so good.  Obviously, the goal for us is to leave a good “mark” where we’ve been; to leave fingerprints that bless and encourage others.

This past Sunday’s outreach project was about blessing the lives of our neighbors.  In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus is asked “who is my neighbor?”  Just as that expert in the law learned, we learned God wants us to love people- all people.  The children did projects for a nursing home, for their families, for their (literal) neighbors, and for the men and women who are assisted by our Acts 6 Ministry.  They left some fingerprints on everything they did- both literally and spiritually.  Outside of their families, the children may never see or know the people they blessed.  Our prayer is the fingerprints they left behind will give God an opportunity to minister to our “neighbors.”
 
This Week’s Announcements:
Daddy/Daughter Dance: 
Attention Dads with Daughters…This is your chance to take your little princess on a special date!  Come join us for this year’s Daddy-Daughter Dance.  Dress in your best duds, and enjoy a magical night with your princess – complete with dinner, dancing, and other special surprises.  This special event takes place on Friday, February 12th, 6:30-9pm.  Registration is required for planning, and the cost is only $20 per family.  Dads of all ages, and princesses aged 4years old-5th grade may attend.  Click the link to register.  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-daddydaughter   *Space is limited so sign up quickly.  Registration is open until noon on Tuesday, February 9th- or until spaces are full*

ROOTED

Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

When the Lord spoke the word “Rooted” to me right after Christmas, I knew it had to be the next series in our PathFinders curriculum.  Even after receiving the word and the verse in Colossians, I was perplexed as to how to proceed.  What does it mean to be rooted?  And…if I could figure that out, how was I to begin explaining it to children?  Searching a concordance and the pages of Scripture did not yield much guidance since the word itself – “rooted” is used only twice in the entire Bible.  Not sure I was correct in this assessment, I counseled with our in-house theologian (David) who confirmed my findings.  Now what? 

The Lord brought to mind a picture I’d taken in California this past fall.  I took a lot of pictures on my trip but the one He reminded me about was one of a downed tree in the Redwood Forest.  The picture which you can see below is of the root system of one of these massive trees.  What was so fascinating to me about the roots of a Redwood was not just the size but how they grow.  The roots of all Redwoods spread out wide and connect themselves (actually intertwining) with the roots of their neighboring trees. This connection makes each tree stronger than it could ever be alone. 

Lightbulb moment!  This was a picture (no pun intended) of where God wanted to take the kids next.   Being rooted meant a couple of significant things.  One, our faith is only strong when our lives are rooted or connected to Jesus.  Two, just as roots of a tree “take in” what is needed for the tree to sustain life, we are to ‘take in’ the things of God to sustain ours.  If we’re ROOTED in Him we have access to all that He is and all that He has to offer.  Our ‘root system’ receives the living water and the fresh bread He offers us. 

Being ROOTED is pretty important stuff for our kids…for all of us.  I welcome your prayers as I continue to trust the Lord to give me discernment and wisdom in writing this curriculum.  And…I MORE than encourage you to pray for the Lord to speak to your children!  It’s exciting to know the Lord sees our kids as ready for such a big topic! 

My prayer is that through these teachings our kids will be solidly connected to Jesus; that their lives will be ones defined as “rooted” in Him.
root·ed (adjective) having roots; well-established; arising from firmly held beliefs; on which well-established and strong roots have developed; unable to be moved because of shock or other outside sources

This Week’s Announcements:
Daddy/Daughter Dance:  Attention Dads with Daughters…This is your chance to take your little princess on a special date!  Come join us for this year’s Daddy-Daughter Dance.  Dress in your best duds, and enjoy a magical night with your princess – complete with dinner, dancing, and other special surprises.  This special event takes place on Friday, February 12th, 6:30-9pm.  Registration is required for planning, and the cost is only $20 per family.  Dads of all ages, and princesses aged 4years old-5th grade may attend.  Click the link to register.  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-daddydaughter   *Space is limited so sign up quickly.  Registration is open until noon on Tuesday, February 9th- or until spaces are full*

What God is Teaching Us:
Click the link below to see ROOTED lessons:
This link is no longer available

We will continue to have a memory verse each week (just as we did through the fall).  These verses will be about being ROOTED in TRUTH.  This week’s verse: Psalm 121:2 – “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Prince of Peace

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

The similarities between the world Jesus entered over 2,000 years ago and the world we live in now are rarely- if ever- seen to have any similarities.  As very different as the time periods may be, one thing hasn’t changed.  That is our need for a Savior…a Savior that brings peace.  Regardless of one’s views on hot topics like gun control and refugees entering our country, we can all agree that peace is what we long for.  Our Savior is the Prince of Peace. If we can somehow- even in the midst of conflict and fear-remember that, then we will experience the peace that is promised to us always and in ALL ways. 
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

This Week’s Announcements:
1. Christmas Services and Times:Christmas Eve- We will have one service on December 24th at 5pm. We will meet in the new performing arts building at Marietta High School.  This is a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together. Christmas Day- We will celebrate the birth of our King on Christmas at 11am in our sanctuary.  This is also a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together.  *It’s okay for kids to come in their PJ’s if they are just not ready to get dressed yet!
2. Special Information for Sunday, December 27th: As we continue to celebrate the birth of Jesus- (we don’t stop celebrating on Dec. 25th), we will enjoy a fun “still celebrating” kind of day in PathFinders on Sunday, Dec. 27th.  Please read below to find out what is happening in your child’s room/area. 
For 3k and under: Children are welcome to come to church like it’s Christmas morning, complete with wearing their PJ’s to church! 
For 4k&Kindergaten: Our morning will look a little different than other Sunday mornings because our small group leaders will be enjoying a much deserved rest.  This doesn’t mean we are taking a break from reading God’s Word or worship!  Along with reading the Christmas story, we will do games, crafts, and watch a classic Christmas movie.  Also- to make it a more relaxed and fun day, 4k&K children are welcome to wear their PJ’s to church on Sunday.   (That’s right…you don’t have to get them dressed before church!  That’s our little after Christmas gift to you!)
For 1st-5th grade: Our morning will look a little different than other Sunday mornings because our small group leaders will be enjoying a much deserved rest.  This doesn’t mean we are taking a break from reading God’s Word or worship!  Our theme for the day will be “every good gift.”  Every child loves to have “show and tell” about the good gifts they received for Christmas.  So…to go along with our theme for the day, we’ll share our own good gifts.  Your 1st-5th grader is welcome to bring ONE gift they received for Christmas. Please make sure you’ve approved what they are bringing AND that it is somehow labeled with their name. 
**Two rules: 1.) Make sure it’s an appropriate toy to have in a group.  No “weapon” related toys or anything bigger than what they can easily carry themselves.  2.) They are responsible for whatever they bring.  
**Please note these two things for clarification:
- The PJ option is only open to children up through Kindergarten. (1st-5th should be dressed as normal)
- If your 4k/K child would like to bring a show-n-tell “gift” because an older sibling is doing so, please know that we trust your parental wisdom on this. Think about these things: Is your child okay with others touching their new toy? Are they responsible enough to not mix their toy up (and risk losing) with other toys in the room, etc.?
3. Attention Kindergarten – 2nd grade PathFinders: Grab your PJ's, your robe, your slippers, and your pillow....It's time for our annual PILLOW AND POP! PARTY.  Friday, January 8, 6:30pm-8:30pm, in our 164 space.  Registration is required and is only open until Monday, January 4th.  Click the link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-pillownpop

What God is Teaching Us:
For 4k-5th Grade: Click the link below to see this week’s Advent lessons.
This link is no longer available
As ARMED meets Advent, we will continue to learn a new memory verse each week.  This week’s verse:
 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

FAMILY TIME:
If your family would like a guide to reading through Scripture during the Advent Season, we would love to share some great resources with you.  Each week on the blog, I will list some suggested readings for the days between one blog and the next.  *Also- I’ve included some links to other resources if you want a more in depth way of leading your family through the season.  Enjoy this special time of year!
PATHFINDER ADVENT SCRIPTURE READINGS: (DEC. 21-25)
Dec. 21st- Matthew 2:7-8
Dec. 22nd- Matthew 2:9-12
Dec. 23rd- Matthew 2:19-23
Dec.24th- John 1:14
CHRISTMAS DAY- Luke 2: 1-20

Other resources for Advent:
Focus on the Family has LOTS of great Advent reading plans: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent
This is one of my favorite ideas- learning the names of God through Advent!  This one is also hands-on because you can make an ornament each day with the names.
http://kojo-designs.com/2011/12/advent-ornaments/
And…lastly, if you love the Jesus Storybook Bible like I do, then you’ll love this resource. This is a free printable guide to using this special Bible during Advent.
http://www.faithgateway.com/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-calendar-printable/

Everlasting Father

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

I love a translation I read recently that used “Father forever” for Everlasting Father.  What a great way to help kids understand that concept. 

Hearing the children talk about things that seem to take (or last) forever, like waiting for mom to make dinner, shopping in Costco, waiting for dad to get home from work to play, and of course- Christmas morning, I got a real sense of their understanding of forever.  Or I thought I did…

When I asked the follow up question- what REALLY lasts forever, even 4k/K kids had a great understanding that nothing does- except God.  They understood that things expire, go bad, wear out, or even die. They also understood that God is forever.  He has always been and will always be. 

Think about that in terms of a Father. We never outgrow Him, we never get too old to be taken care of by Him, we are never so grownup that He says, “You’re on your own.”  Jesus - what a great comfort to know that He is our Father forever.  
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

This Week’s Announcements:
1. Christmas Services and Times:
a. Christmas Eve- We will have one service on December 24th at 5pm. We will meet in the new performing arts building at Marietta High School.  This is a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together.
b. Christmas Day- We will celebrate the birth of our King on Christmas at 11am in our sanctuary.  This is also a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together.  *It’s okay for kids to come in their PJ’s if they are just not ready to get dressed yet!
2. Attention Kindergarten – 2nd grade PathFinders: Grab your PJ's, your robe, your slippers, and your pillow....It's time for our annual PILLOW AND POP! PARTY.  Friday, January 8, 6:30pm-8:30pm, in our 164 space.  Registration is required and is only open until Monday, January 4th.  Click the link to sign up: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E45A8AE22A75-pillownpop

What God is Teaching Us:
For 4k-5th Grade: Click the link below to see this week’s Advent lessons.
This link is no longer available
As ARMED meets Advent, we will continue to learn a new memory verse each week.  This week’s verse:“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

FAMILY TIME:
If your family would like a guide to reading through Scripture during the Advent Season, we would love to share some great resources with you.  Each week on the blog, I will list some suggested readings for the days between one blog and the next.  *Also- I’ve included some links to other resources if you want a more in depth way of leading your family through the season.  Enjoy this special time of year!
PATHFINDER ADVENT SCRIPTURE READINGS: (DEC. 14-20)
Dec. 14th- Luke 2:1-7
Dec. 15th- Luke 2:8-12
Dec. 16th- Luke 2:13-14
Dec.17th- Luke 2:15-18
Dec. 18th- Luke 2:19-20
Dec.19th- Matthew 2:1-2
Dec.20th- Matthew 2:3-6

Other resources for Advent:
Focus on the Family has LOTS of great Advent reading plans: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent
This is one of my favorite ideas- learning the names of God through Advent!  This one is also hands-on because you can make an ornament each day with the names.
http://kojo-designs.com/2011/12/advent-ornaments/
And…lastly, if you love the Jesus Storybook Bible like I do, then you’ll love this resource. This is a free printable guide to using this special Bible during Advent.
http://www.faithgateway.com/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-calendar-printable/

Mighty God

“For to us a child is born,16 to us a son is given,17 and the government18 will be on his shoulders.19 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,b20 Mighty God,21 Everlasting22 Father,23 Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Isn’t it remarkable that the Mighty God we serve chose to come to live among mankind as a human? He chose to humble Himself and become like us to live with us.  Not only that, He chose to come as a baby. 

In the midst of the hustle and bustle that is the Christmas season, we sometimes forget this fact, and even more than that, we don’t take time to explore the why of His decision.  Think about the love and compassion that it takes to “walk in the shoes” of another. Think about the depth of your dedication to understanding when you choose to explore and experience how another lives or feels.  Multiply that exponentially and you have a glimpse of what Jesus did for us. 

As Gabriel told Mary when he informed her she had been chosen to carry and raise God’s Son, “nothing is impossible with God.”  This Advent season, remember that God Himself has walked in your shoes. He knows every heartache and joy you experience.  Because of that and even more because He is mighty, we can trust Him with everything.  We can trust Him with the impossible. 

This Week’s Announcements:
1. How To…Christmas- Our next “How To” session is Wednesday, December 9th.  Be sure to sign up for dinner and register your children for childcare.  Registration is REQUIRED to guarantee a spot for your children.  Visit our website www.stonebridgemarietta.org and click on event registration. 
2. Christmas Services and Times:
a. Christmas Eve- We will have one service on December 24th at 5pm. We will meet in the new performing arts building at Marietta High School.  This is a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together.
b. Christmas Day- We will celebrate the birth of our King on Christmas at 11am in our sanctuary.  This is also a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together.  *It’s okay for kids to come in their PJ’s if they are just not ready to get dressed yet!

What God is Teaching Us:
For 4k-5th Grade: Click the link below to see this week’s Advent lessons.
This link is no longer available

As ARMED meets Advent, we will continue to learn a new memory verse each week.  This week’s verse:
 “For nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37

FAMILY TIME:
If your family would like a guide to reading through Scripture during the Advent Season, we would love to share some great resources with you.  Each week on the blog, I will list some suggested readings for the days between one blog and the next.  *Also- I’ve included some links to other resources if you want a more in depth way of leading your family through the season.  Enjoy this special time of year!

PATHFINDER ADVENT SCRIPTURE READINGS: (DEC. 7-13)
Dec. 7th- Luke 1:18-25
Dec. 8th- Luke 1:26-38
Dec. 9th- Matthew 1:18-21
Dec.10th- Matthew 1:22-25
Dec. 11th- Luke 1:39-45
Dec.12th- Luke 1:46-56
Dec.13th-Micah 5:2-5

Other resources for Advent:
Focus on the Family has LOTS of great Advent reading plans: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent
This is one of my favorite ideas- learning the names of God through Advent!  This one is also hands-on because you can make an ornament each day with the names.
http://kojo-designs.com/2011/12/advent-ornaments/
And…lastly, if you love the Jesus Storybook Bible like I do, then you’ll love this resource. This is a free printable guide to using this special Bible during Advent.
http://www.faithgateway.com/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-calendar-printable/

Hope Comes While We Wait

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

If you’ve been in or around a church at all during an Advent season, you’ve most likely heard this verse from Isaiah more than once.  It is the most often referenced prophecy verse about Jesus’ birth.  Because we’ve heard it so many times, do we really stop to take in its message?

We as a church (and in PathFinders) are using this familiar Scripture as our anchor verse for Advent, but we certainly don’t want it to lose its powerful meaning because of that familiarity. If the saying “familiarity breeds contempt” is at all true, then we have to fight against even a smaller version of that- complacency. 

This is where our “ARMED” series meets the Advent season.  We will ride the wave of intentionality and excitement we saw in the kids over ARMED into our study of Advent and Jesus’ birth. 

This week we started with how God prepared the hearts of His people for Jesus’ arrival and what it means to wait with hope.  As we heard the story of Zechariah receiving the news that he and his wife would have a son who would prepare a way for the Lord, we can somewhat understand what it means to wait with hope.  Zechariah, like all the people of God during that time, had heard the prophecies of a coming Messiah.  They had hope that He would come, but since they had no idea when, they had to wait in that hope. 

And…poor Zechariah…even after hearing the good news that it was going to happen soon, he was silenced and couldn’t tell anyone.  Why did God choose to cut off Zechariah’s voice until his son John was born?  The obvious answer is because he didn’t believe the news fully, but what if it was more?  What if God wanted his people to continue to wait and more importantly wait with hope?  If they knew the day was upon them would they continue to wait with hopeful expectancy?

Romans 8:24-25- “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Do we hope for what we already have? If we circle the date (Dec. 25th) on the calendar and wait for it to come, but forget what it means to hope in our waiting…have we lost something really significant? 

Advent is more than just a countdown to Christmas Day.  Advent is more than reciting the verses in Isaiah or Luke.  Advent is a time to wait…with hope. 

This Week’s Announcements:
1. How To…Christmas- Our next “How To” session is Wednesday, December 9th.  Be sure to sign up for dinner and register your children for childcare.  Registration is REQUIRED to guarantee a spot for your children.  Visit our website www.stonebridgemarietta.org and click on event registration. 
2. Christmas Services and Times:
a. Christmas Eve- We will have one service on December 24th at 5pm. We will meet in the new performing arts building at Marietta High School.  This is a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together.
b. Christmas Day- We will celebrate the birth of our King on Christmas at 11am in our sanctuary.  This is also a family service so parents and kids of all ages will worship together.  *It’s okay for kids to come in their PJ’s if they are just not ready to get dressed yet!

What God is Teaching Us:
For 4k-5th Grade: This week’s first Advent lesson was on (HOPE) Click the link to see lessons.
This link is no longer available

As ARMED meets Advent, we will continue to learn a new memory verse each week.  This week’s verse:
 “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:24

FAMILY TIME:
If your family would like a guide to reading through Scripture during the Advent Season, we would love to share some great resources with you.  Each week on the blog, I will list some suggested readings for the days between one blog and the next.  *Also- I’ve included some links to other resources if you want a more in depth way of leading your family through the season.  Enjoy this special time of year!

PATHFINDER ADVENT SCRIPTURE READINGS: (DEC. 1-6)
Dec. 1st- John 1:1-5
Dec. 2nd- Isaiah 9:2-7
Dec. 3rd- Isaiah 11:1-10
Dec. 4th- Jeremiah 33:14-16
Dec. 5th- Luke 1:5-10
Dec. 6th- Luke 1:11-17

Other resources for Advent:
Focus on the Family has LOTS of great Advent reading plans: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/making-meaningful-christmas-memories/celebrate-advent
This is one of my favorite ideas- learning the names of God through Advent!  This one is also hands-on because you can make an ornament each day with the names.
http://kojo-designs.com/2011/12/advent-ornaments/
And…lastly, if you love the Jesus Storybook Bible like I do, then you’ll love this resource. This is a free printable guide to using the this special Bible during Advent.
http://www.faithgateway.com/jesus-storybook-bible-advent-calendar-printable/

We're All in this Together

That statement alone elicits visions of Zach Efron and a little Disney movie called “High School Musical.”  Now that you’re humming the song…

As we spent 11 weeks this fall getting “ARMED and ready for Battle!” we’ve learned a lot about what it actually means to fight the enemy and his attacks.  We’ve learned what it means to arm ourselves with the Truth of God’s Word, as well as the many important pieces of the Spiritual armor.   As we wrapped up this series, emphasis was put on the fact that we never have to battle alone.

Our God is a God of relationship. He first wants us to have a relationship with Himself, and then He wants us to be in relationship with others. He instructs us throughout His Word to encourage and lift up other believers.  He calls us to meet together for the purpose of those things.  His desire for us to be linked together in the body of Christ extends to those times when we are in face to face combat with the enemy.

Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

God doesn’t intend for us to carry our burdens alone.  Even in the times when an attack from the enemy is very personal, we can call on our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us fight.  When we pray, we’re entering a battle on behalf of those for whom we pray.  The power of prayer cannot be overstated, and our need for it cannot be stressed too strongly. 

The enemy we face is a stubborn pest for sure.  When he thinks we’re ‘handling’ one battle pretty well, he may see fit to come at us with more.  This is when we need others to enter the battle and to carry for us what we’re too weary to carry on our own. 

In the book of Exodus, Moses held up his arms as Joshua fought the enemy on the battlefield below.  As long as Moses’ arms were up, Joshua and his men had victory.  If his arms went down, their opponents gained ground.  But…God is victorious, and He had a plan.  Aaron and Hur held the arms of a weary Moses so that he in turn could continue his prayers for Joshua’s army.  The battle was ultimately Joshua’s but God made a way for all of them to be connected and to support Joshua in battle.  We all need people of faith like Moses, Aaron, and Hur to stand beside us in battle. 

Our enemy is real and the battle is imminent, but we’re all in this together… 

This Week’s Announcements:
How To…Christmas- Our next “How To” session is Wednesday, December 9th.  Be sure to sign up for dinner and register your children for childcare.  Registration is REQUIRED to guarantee a spot for your children.  Visit our website www.stonebridgemarietta.org and click on event registration. 

What God is Teaching Us:
For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about.  They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house.  They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible.  This week our little ones continued learning about ways to praise God.   
For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle!  This week’s focus was prayer.  Click the link to see lessons:
This link is no longer available

Amazing (and funny) Things Kids Do and Say…
While the 4k/K children were discussing prayer- ways we pray, things we pray about, and places we pray- some children expressed trepidation about praying out loud.  Their small group leader emphasized that we don’t have to pray aloud for God to hear us; He can hear us even when we pray silently.  She went on to explain that even Jesus went away by Himself to be quiet and pray to the Father.  One little one exclaimed- “I remember that…He was in a garden!”  The proud small group leader confirmed that answer and then asked if anyone knew the name of the garden.  The same little one said, “Yes- olive…”- to which another child shouted, “Yep, that’s it- Olive Garden!”  (Mount of Olives…Olive Garden…that’s the same thing, right?)

Incredible Minds

Take a minute to think about what you think about.  Confusing, right?  We don’t think about what we’re thinking about unless we stop and focus.  God gave us brains that are capable of great and wonderful processes, thoughts, creative ideas, and dreams.  The world (the enemy) is great at putting images, distractions, and lies in our lives to crowd our minds, and ultimately push out what God wants to put in. Without the Helmet of Salvation, our minds could be filled with everything but the Truth and hope that come from knowing Jesus. 

When we say ‘yes’ to the incredible free gift of grace that is our salvation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit in us.  As God changes us from the inside out, it is not just about our hearts, but also our minds.  We are “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Is it any wonder then that the enemy who ultimately wants to steal, kill, and destroy would also want to play mind games with us?  The enemy can’t read our thoughts- he’s not that powerful- but he sure tries to sneak his agenda into our minds. 

Our brains- much like a colander- have the capacity to take things in, but also to sift things out.  What we allow ourselves to be exposed to is one way to keep the enemy at bay, but it’s also about wearing the Helmet of Salvation offered to us as part of God’s armor.  This spiritual head piece protects our minds by reminding us of the Truth of our Salvation, as well as continuing the process of our transformation. 

There are so many powerful verses that remind us of what God can and does do in our minds.  Two that are well worth reading and talking about with your children:
Romans 12:2- Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 4:8- Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

This Week’s Announcements:
1. Family Dinner- Our next StoneBridge Family Dinner is Tuesday, November 17th.  Please sign up to bring a dish to share AND don’t forget to register your children for childcare.  We will provide childcare for birth-5th grade.  Children in 4k-5th grade will also be fed dinner.  Children under 4k should be fed before coming to church that night.  *Please note, to maintain safety for your children we will “close” rooms once they are full. Registration is REQUIRED to guarantee a spot for your children.  Visit our website and click on event registration. 

2. BRING YOUR BIBLE!  I’ve challenged the elementary (1st-5th grade) children to bring their own Bible each week.  As we ARM ourselves with God’s Truth, one of the most important tools will be God’s Word.  If you’re unsure if your child has the Bible that is appropriate for his or her age/maturity/reading level, I’m happy to be a resource for you.  Contact me and I can give you suggestions about good options for your age child. Contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org

What God is Teaching Us:For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about.  They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house.  They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible.  This week they continued learning about the Bible- God’s True Story.  
Click the link to see the nursery lessons:
This link is no longer available

For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle!  This week’s focus was the helmet of salvation.  Click the link to see lessons:
This link is no longer available

*Also- we are ARMING ourselves by learning a memory verse together each week. 
This week’s Memory Verses:
For 2/3 year olds: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105
For 3k preschool: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105
For 4k/K and 1st-5th grade: “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.” Psalm 140:7 (NASV)

Amazing (and funny) Things Kids Do and Say…
A 4 year old child told his mom and dad that he wanted to “have a play date with Ms. Penny.”  Being excited about such a proposition, I asked him if we could play Legos during our playdate.  He replied, “Yes, we can but I have to show you my trains too. And then we need to talk about Bible study!”  Sounds like my kind of play date.  

When one 1st/2nd grade small group lea
der was talking to a group of boys about their hopes and dreams for the future, many of them started calling out things they would love to do when they grow up.  Some wanted to be football players, others wanted to be builders, and then one very enthusiastically shouted out, “I want to work at Zaxby’s!”  The other boys thought this was a great idea, considering all the great food he’d get. 

Why We Love Fruit

It’s immensely accurate that none of us know the heart of another person, and equally true that God does.  The only real measure we as mere humans have to assert what is in another’s heart is to look at the fruit in their lives. 

As a Children’s Pastor I’ve come to terms with the fact that I may never get to fully see the fruit in the lives of those I minister to. Kids are ever changing and growing so the Spiritual fruit sometimes grows after they’ve left my care.  That’s why, when I do get a glimpse at the fruit getting ripe on the vine, I get super excited. 

This past Sunday we took a little pause in our ARMED series to review what we’ve been learning.  God has given us so much to digest…rich and deep things…that a little look-back seemed in order.  Through fun review games (like human tic-tac-toe) we did just that.  The kids were ‘quizzed’ on their knowledge of the truths we’ve been learning, the memory verses they’ve been challenged with, and the Bible stories we’ve read that help us understand some of these hard concepts.  To say I was blown away would be an understatement!  Memory verses were being quoted, kids were explaining deep Spiritual truths, and the recall of stories about David, Daniel, Paul, Silas, and Jesus (just to name a few) were being told.  There was fruit…big bowls of it…everywhere!

Why does fruit matter…why do we love it so?  Simply put, it means God is at work in the minds and hearts of our kids.  Literal fruit is good for our bodies.  Spiritual fruit is good for our souls…and a Children’s Pastor’s heart! 

This Week’s Announcements:
1. BRING YOUR BIBLE!  I’ve challenged the elementary (1st-5th grade) children to bring their own Bible each week.  As we ARM ourselves with God’s Truth, one of the most important tools will be God’s Word.  If you’re unsure if your child has the Bible that is appropriate for his or her age/maturity/reading level, I’m happy to be a resource for you.  Contact me and I can give you suggestions about good options for your age child. Contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org

What God is Teaching Us:
For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about.  They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house.  They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible.  This week they began learning about the Bible- God’s True Story.  
Click the link to see the nursery lessons: This link is no longer available

For 4k-5th Grade:
We continue to get “ARMED” and ready for battle!  To see this week’s review, click on the link below.
This link is no longer available

*Also- we are ARMING ourselves by learning a memory verse together each week. 
This week’s Memory Verses:
For 2/3 year olds: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105 For 3k preschool: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Psalm 119:105 For 4k/K: “Put on all of God's armor. Then you can stand firm against the devil's evil plans.” Ephesians 6:11 (NIrV)For 1st-5th grade: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11

Amazing Things Kids Do and Say…
One of my buddies turned six last week. “That’s a very big deal because-as you know, Ms. Penny- I have to use two hands to show you how old I am now!”  After telling him he was exactly right, I asked if he’d had a good birthday so far and how many people had said “Happy Birthday!”   He told me a number.  I replied with, “Add one more…Happy Birthday!”  He responded, “Thanks…hearing that never gets old!” 

Right, Ready, and Resilient

We’ve been so busy getting ARMED and READY FOR BATTLE that we haven’t had many opportunities to keep you informed.  So…let’s catch up a bit.  Over the last three Sundays we’ve learned what it means to be right, ready, and resilient as we continue to fight our very real enemy.  While learning those things, we’ve added three pieces to our armor arsenal- the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness, and the shield of faith.  Here’s what we’ve learned…

The breastplate of righteousness is a tricky one because we first have to understand what righteousness is.  Simply put, righteousness is being right with God.  It’s not about trying our best to do everything right all the time…or even part of the time.  We are credited with righteousness because of what Jesus did for us and our relationship with Him.  We can’t be righteous apart from Him anymore than we can have an egg for breakfast apart from a chicken first laying it. Once we’ve been credited with righteousness, God allows us to wear it like a breastplate to protect our hearts.  We live out of our hearts so God’s concern for us guarding them from the enemy is pretty significant. 

Next we put on the shoes of readiness (sometimes called the shoes of peace).  As one who loves shoes, I grasp this concept pretty easily.  To be ready to walk on the beach, I wear flip-flops.  To be ready to walk up Kennesaw Mountain, I wear tennis shoes. To be ready to play in the snow, I wear boots.  In many circumstances, my footwear can make or break me; I need to be ready with the right shoes for the situation.  Our armor shoes are all about being ready to follow Jesus. We want to walk in peace because of the gospel we know and believe.  Wearing the shoes of readiness- because of the gospel- means we can walk over and around the obstacles that Satan throws in our path without stumbling.  If you’ve ever stepped on a Lego with bare feet, you know the REAL pain of not wearing shoes.  Spiritually speaking, stepping on or stumbling over the landmines Satan throws out is equivalent to that…OUCH!!

This past Sunday we found out what it means to be resilient (strong) in our faith as we lift up the shield of faith.  The shield is the only part of the armor we don’t wear, but instead have to hold.  Soldiers that held these important- and large- shields in battle had work to do to get the shield ready for battle.  Dipping the shield in water and/or rubbing oil on the shield kept it moist so the flaming arrows hurled at them would be extinguished. Think about the strength it took to hold up such a grand piece of armor during the battle. Just like those soldiers, we can’t wait until the battle ensues to get our shield ready.  By that time, it’s too late. We have to be ready before it begins.  We must “moisten” our faith by knowing and relying on the “living water,” we must flex and strengthen our faith muscles by studying God’s Word and spending time in His presence.  Our eyes must continuously be on Jesus-the “author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). 

I’m so proud of how the kids are digging in to what God is teaching us about being ARMED and READY for battle.  My encouragement to you as parents is to talk about these things as a family.  You wouldn’t send your kids onto the football or soccer field unprepared or lacking the right equipment to protect them.  The battle they face- that we all face- is much more substantial than any sport.  Don’t send your kids into the battle without helping them get ARMED.  In all this, don’t minimize our enemy, but instead maximize our God because He always wins! 

Ephesians 6:14b-16: “Stand firm then…with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” 

This Week’s Announcements:
1. This Sunday (October 25th), kids in 4k-5th grade will be engaged in outreach projects. The projects are geared toward serving, encouraging, and blessing our long-term missionaries.  The outreach planning team is still in need of volunteers to help with the projects at both the 9am and 11am service. If you’re interested in helping, please contact Jennifer Dew at jennifer.dew@gmail.com or Christina Busey at christina@stonebridgemarietta.org

2. BRING YOUR BIBLE!  I’ve challenged the elementary (1st-5th grade) children to bring their own Bible each week.  As we ARM ourselves with God’s Truth, one of the most important tools will be God’s Word.  If you’re unsure if your child has the Bible that is appropriate for his or her age/maturity/reading level, I’m happy to be a resource for you.  Contact me and I can give you suggestions about good options for your age child. Contact me at penny@stonebridgemarietta.org

What God is Teaching Us:For Toddlers-3k:
Even our youngest are getting ARMED as they explore what coming to church is all about.  They are learning that Church is God’s house, and about the things we do together in His house.  They are learning that we play, pray, praise, and learn about the Bible.  This week they continued to learn what it means to praise God. They enjoyed singing and using instruments! 
Click the link to see the nursery lessons:
This link is no longer available

For 4k-5th Grade:
We are continuing to get “ARMED” and ready for battle!  This week’s lesson focused on the shield of faith.  To see lessons for the last three weeks (breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness, and shield of faith) for 4k/K, 1st&2nd grade, and 3rd-5th grade small groups, click the appropriate link below. 
This link is no longer available

*Also- we are ARMING ourselves by learning a memory verse together each week. 
This week’s Memory Verses:
For 2/3 year olds: “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14  For 3k preschool: “I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14  For 4k/K: “Every word of God is perfect. He is like a shield to those who trust in him. He keeps them safe.” Proverbs 30:5 (NIrV)For 1st-5th grade: “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”  Proverbs 30:5

Amazing Things Kids Do and Say…
While encouraging the 4k/K kids to remember what we’ve been learning, I prompted them this way… “We’re getting… (armed)…AND… (ready for battle)!” The kids filled in the blanks easily, so I asked them to tell me about the battle we’re facing- specifically who we are battling.  One little boy raised his hand and said, “satin.”  I said, “Satan.” He said… “yeah- satin.”  After a few times back and forth, I couldn’t get him to hear the difference.  Maybe he’s had a traumatizing experience with shiny material I couldn’t understand; although, I know he hasn’t been a bridesmaid so I’m not sure what that could be.