In the month of November, our elementary kids were challenged to bring in quarters to pay for packaged meals for kids all around the world. This was to support Kids Against Hunger and these meals provide so much nourishment for the children that doctors would actually prefer these meals over medicine for the kids.  Each meal consists of soy, rice, a chicken stock base, and vitamins.  Each meal cost one quarter. Our kids brought in $458.70 which paid for 1,835 meals.  On November 23rd, our kids were actually able to package the meals and prepare to send them to Haiti.  It was a wonderful experience for our kids and they did an awesome job of forming an assembly line and getting 9,180 meals prepared to be shipped around the world.  We are extremely proud of our kids as they are making a difference in our world.

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A few months ago my father was sharing with me a few stories about his life growing up.  My grandfather and grandmother on my dad’s side of the family passed away years before I was born so I was recently inquiring about his home growing up.  He was recollecting to me how Grandpa would work hard all day on the farm and with local farmers as a Veterinarian but would come home every day to sit at the table for dinner at 5:30p.m.  There, awaiting him would be a table full of food and kids (6 to be exact) where they gathered every night for dinner as a family.  As they would begin eating my grandfather would turn to grandma and say, “Well, Mother, how were the children today?”  And then the report would begin.

Dad said you always knew if your name was going to come up and you were always terrified when it was.  If you were included in the “bad report” you would go stand next to grandpa at the table where he would sit calmly ... Read More »

Hi Parents!

We just wanted to share the exciting things that are happening with your kids in Overdrive.
As you know, Overdrive is set up to expose kids to every aspect of The Wheel (Seek, Study, Share, and Serve Christ) that is the core value here at Centerpointe.  Activities are set up in a learning center atmosphere and kids have the freedom to pick and choose which activities they would like to do.  So far the kids are really enjoying it and doing a great job.

In September, the SEEK activity was to decorate a prayer journal that will remain in class all year for each child. The October activities are thought provoking ideas that help kids focus on God and prayer by writing or drawing their thoughts in the journal.  We also have time where we provide CDs players and praise music for kids to sit quietly in private worship.

The kids were most excited by our SERVE activities.  In September, we ... Read More »

On August 3rd, my parents celebrate 50 years of marriage together!  In today's world that is so rare and so beautiful. I am more appreciative today than ever about the stability they've provided and the example they've set for their family and others. 

When I asked them recently about what makes a great marriage endure and thrive for 50 years, they said things like "mutual respect and admiration, compromise and flexibility, and shared values."  To them, these are not just dream-world platitudes but a daily reality.  The most significant value they share is their commitment to Christ and His mission.  They made a mutual commitment, years ago, that their goal for our family was that we would be in heaven together when we die.  Beyond a doubt, their primary focus has always been to advance the kingdom of Christ in our home and in this world.  They have been committed to this cause even longer than they have been ... Read More »

When I was a child, the summer seemed to last so long!  I can remember those days when my brother and I had countless adventures, family vacations, campouts, VBS, and many hours at my Grandparent’s pool.  Now as an adult, the summer seems to fly by!  My family has already been on vacation, finished a summer swim season, experienced Christian Camp, and spent a lot of time with friends.  It seems like they just got out of school.  Now, fall sports are beginning and we need to go “back to school” shopping!  What ever happened to the lazy days of summer?

Here at church, the feeling is the same.  Where has the summer gone?  There haven’t been any lazy days here at church.  If you walk down the elementary hallway, you will notice each week that there have been people working in the building.  We have transformed 2 areas into what will be our OverDrive rooms for the fall.  Our kids are gett ... Read More »

Kids say the darnedest things.  I think that was a TV show, but it’s true.  I’ve spent a lot of time in the pool with my kids this summer.  They love the water and they want me in it at ALL times.  Campbell, my 6 year old, is a fish.  He can swim really well and doesn’t need any help.  But my 3 year old, Carter, is still uncertain about the water.  He prefers the steps.  He can sit in the shallow end, splash around, and stay relatively safe.  But every now and then, I’ll take him a little further out in the pool.  And he’s not sure what to do with that.  He has this mixture of laughing and crying…it’s like a “this is really fun, but I’m still not sure about it” kind of noise.  He hangs on as tight as he can, and I’ll draw him in close and say what every parent says, “It’s OK, I’ve got you.”  And somehow, that takes the edge off.  He believes that what I’m saying is true.&# ... Read More »

This Month’s mission moment is about a ministry that, though you may not know, has affected you and your worship on a weekly basis.  Christian Evangelizing Fellowship (CEF) exists to plant and encourage New Testament Churches all over our area.  On July 7, 1987, they helped to establish a new church meeting in the Beckett Ridge Country Club.  Any guesses?  Yep, Lakota Christian began with the help of CEF.

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WOW!  That’s the only way I can say it ... WOW!  We just had over 30 sixth grade students and their families at our 6th grade Crossover this past Sunday.  It’s an event that celebrates the 6th graders’ time in Children’s Ministry and connects them to Student Ministry ... Tammy and Mandy and their whole team have done such a great job of pouring into these students and laying a spiritual foundation in them.  Now as they enter student ministry, they enter a crucial juncture in their journey.  In the next six years, they will face the challenge of developing an independent faith – one that knows how to feed itself and can stand on it’s own, apart from the faith of their parents.  A faith that is ready to withstand the storm of college academia and humanistic philosophies of our world.

The following excerpt from a Prison Fellowship Breakpoint article I recently read sheds some light on the challenges they face ...

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Student Ministry

Startup companies can spend weeks or years determining the name of their company or of a new product line because they understand the principles of making a name memorable, simple and meaningful. According to Business week online (July 2007), google founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin dumped their working name “backrub” for something shorter and simpler.  “We spent a lot of time on the name…because we figured that it would be important for people to be able to remember it” (Designing Interactions, MIT Press, 2006). 
 
Expecting parents spend months looking through baby name books to pick the name that their child will receive at birth because they know that this child will find much of their identity in their name. They want the name to be special and meaningful. 
 
In the Bible, names of people carried significant meaning which usually expressed a personal characteristic, or some incident connected wi ... Read More »

There have been a lot of fun activities happening in Children’s Ministry!  I wanted to take a minute and share with you what’s going on in the ministry with JaM Days, Summer Nights Live, 6th grade Crossover, and our summer programming series for KidsInC Sunday worship.  Enjoy these long warm sunny days!

JAM Days 2008
The wonder and passion of a preschooler is captivating.  During the week of JaM Days, we were able to see first hand how a preschooler loves to give his or her heart to God.  They love to show God how much they love Him through their songs, artwork, and their friendships with one another.  When asked, “What was your favorite part of JaM Days”, most of the kids answered music!
... Read More »